Cell Masts on Church Properties

Cell phone masts: A topic which has come up independently is the questions of cell phone masts on church properties. This is a difficult one as the science is complicated and most of us have to rely on the opinions and research of independent sources.

Several years ago our own parish was approached by iBurst to place masts on our church tower. At the time we were doing a great deal of fundraising for other alterations on the property and the attraction of approximately R3000 per month as income rental was great. We took it to Vestry and when we voted on it those in favour of it were in the majority. However, we felt that the exercise was not worth alienating those who felt strongly about the dangers of it all and so decided not to go ahead. So the decision was made, not on the basis of the environmental impact, but on the unity of the parish.

There are dangers related to cell phones and cell phone masts. All electronic equipment emits radiation at some level of intensity. The communication industry has to comply with strict adherence to specific regulatory requirements regarding these levels. There is, as far as I know, no scientific evidence that supports long term detrimental effects on communities at the level of intensity dictated by regulatory law. However, by law there always needs to be an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and by law communities have to be given due notice and an opportunity to object to the erection of the masts.

There does seem to be danger (cancer) in the excessive use of mobile handsets i.e. the frequency and amount of time spent using hand sets. There is ongoing research related to this aspect.

In an age where electronic equipment has reformatted the way people relate to each other – we all use cell phones and internet – cell phone masts are probably here to stay. Most people- even objectors – seem to make use of cell phones. There is a certain duplicity in carry a cell phone but at the same time objecting to the means of relaying the signal. It is an issue of great sensitivity and needs to be considered carefully. My own feeling is to err on the side of caution and ask ourselves why we need cell phone masts on our properties – do we really need the income? Are we really providing a community service by allowing a MTN or a Vodacom or whoever to place their masts on our properties? Is it worth alienating the few people who feel strongly about the dangers of it all? Is it worth a free cell phone? Perhaps some of the dynamics of 1 Corinthians 8:8-9 apply here – Food (read cell masts) will not bring us close to God....But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

The most useful summary article I found on cell masts, health and radiation was at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_radiation_and_health

Tim Gray

JAEI - Johannesburg Anglican Environmental Initiative

JAEI - Johannesburg Anglican Environmental Initiative