A global pandemic has gripped the nation’s attention and rightly so. In response, some state officials are imposing restrictions upon the gathering of large numbers of people in one place at a time. While the NCAA, professional sports leagues, and others have voluntarily restricted their gatherings, the leaders of churches and other religious institutions are, understandably, nervous that state-mandated restrictions may violate religious liberty.

They needn’t be. As in times past, the mutual respect and cooperation between church and state can lead to greater calm and help reduce the impact of such pandemics on our communities. We have been through this before.