While Billy Graham certainly has his fans, his claim to fame is that he was an evangelist for fundamentalist Christianity. He spent his life trying to convert people to his brand of that faith. That’s great for conservative Christianity, but it didn’t do anything to advance the public interest.

Freeman is critical of the protestors who swamped the state capitol in Raleigh to demand an immediate reopening of the state, including houses of worship. He points out that they’re overlooking the fact that church gatherings have been identified as vectors for the virus.

In two states – Pennsylvania and North Carolina – state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would make it impossible for state officials to restrict religious gatherings during a public-health emergency.