I do not subscribe to the assumption in the title phrase. Churches may come to rely on science in their response to the virus, but, I expect, will return to "Business as usual," afterwards, thanking their god that it was not worse. They will find some isolated case of a 90 something who had the disease, but survived, and call it a fucking miracle.
To the churches, this is all a game of money and power. Even if the idiot papers at the checkout are right, and the Pope has, it, even if he dies due to it, they will spin it, like Michael Jackson's death, "God needed him more than we did." "Needed him," for what, is it heaven because people can act out their pedophilia with no consequences?

Such a GREAT show of Faith and Trust in their Omnipotent God when even " Il Papa" ( the Pope) starts hiding behind closed doors even before Italy is put into nation-wide lock-down over the Covid19 virus becomes a Pandemic claiming he ONLY has a head-cold.
I lay even money bets that the Nuns and Altar Boys are rejoicing these days since they are finally getting a welcome break from the insatiable Catholic Priests at last.

the religious should be embracing this strife . Surely it's just another sign of the end times. There should be religious rallies, dancing in the street for they will be going home...........and a little contagious virus will help them on their way.

I'm sure it's going to spread much faster at the supermarkets where everyone is gathering.

I'm surprised they haven't started putting in holy H2O2 instead of H2O, especially when liberally laced with CH3-CH2-OH

Very few religious groups reject medical treatment.

For many, religious faith helps them accept the temporary nature of our frail bodies. During a pandemic is when they need their religion.

Deeply religious people are not very concerned with the fate of individual bodies.

Patheos is a sorry excuse for a news outlet.

If there is any poetic justice, maybe this asshole Shuttlesworth will get infected....

Maybe God, as in the days of Noah and the flood, is using the pandemic to thin the herd and maybe save the planet from climate change? Just a thought....

People shouldn't be attending them any way. Unless you enjoy being coned.

Let them be, promote massive services where all can go, and kiss each other, they all know their god of choice will protect them from the evil virus. I say be fruitful and multiply in these gatherings. COVID-19 is a hoax. Bwwwwaaaaahahaha! Go in da name of da lawrd!!! Praise Jeeeez-ooze!

I guess online church? Since god won't protect them. If they believed god would, theyd still hold their mega church services.

But...but..they can pray it away!

Look how well prayers have worked against gun violence

Talk about pro-active. The Unitarian church in Des Moines has cancelled all activities, including services, even tho the total confirmed cases in my state are about a dozen, all in the other side of the state, and there are no confirmed cases in my local area. Looks like they are going to livestreamed online services..

Yet they still believe or say that god sent the virus to punish _____.
Fill in the blank

But they won't see it

I'll bet a lot of those Teavangelicals don't comply. They need that herd to support their herd mentality.