Churches have long stood as places of worship, peace, and community—a refuge from the noise and chaos of the world. Yet, in recent years, many churches have unknowingly compromised this sanctity by leasing their properties for cell tower installations. While the financial incentives can seem appealing, the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) from cell towers raise serious ethical concerns.
This is a call to action for church leaders everywhere: reconsider the impact of hosting these towers on your sacred grounds. Your congregations’ health—and your moral responsibility to protect them—must take precedence over short-term financial gain.
Estimating the exact number of cell towers located on church properties is challenging, as no comprehensive statistics are available. However, it’s a common practice for churches to lease space for cell towers due to their tall structures and central locations, which are advantageous for wireless providers. For instance, the Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in San Ramon, California, reportedly earns up to $30,000 annually from such a lease. DCG Strategies
While specific numbers are not documented, the trend of installing cell towers on church properties is widespread, driven by the mutual benefits for both churches and wireless companies.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996: Silencing Health Concerns
The Telecommunications Act of 1996, specifically Section 704, has effectively silenced public discourse on the health risks of cell towers. This legislation prevents citizens from contesting cell tower placements based on health concerns, leaving communities powerless to act, even when legitimate scientific evidence exists.
This suppression of health-related objections has kept the issue out of public view, creating a false sense of security. It’s why many church leaders may not fully realize the potential consequences of allowing cell towers on their properties. But the science is clear: prolonged exposure to RFR, even at low levels, can have serious health impacts.
We have No Choice!
As a parent, I can choose what to feed my child, but I have no control over the cell tower outside her school window. This is because of decades of systemic failures, including outdated FCC Cell Phone Radiation Standards, Implied Conflict Preemption, Tort Immunity, Regulatory Capture, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the Suppression of Science. These legal and regulatory roadblocks prevent meaningful action to protect our children and communities from harmful radiofrequency radiation (RFR).
This is troubling, as the science on the risks of RFR remains clear, and regulatory inertia continues to leave every American at risk.
1. FCC Cell Phone Radiation Standards
The Federal Communications Commission’s safety guidelines were established in 1996, ignoring decades of subsequent research on non-thermal biological effects. These guidelines focus solely on preventing tissue heating, dismissing proven risks such as:
- Cancer: Studies by the National Toxicology Program and Ramazzini Institute link RFR exposure to gliomas and schwannomas.
- DNA Damage: Projects like the REFLEX study show DNA strand breaks and chromosomal damage even at low exposure levels.
- Neurological Effects: Research reveals RFR compromises the blood-brain barrier, increasing vulnerability to toxins.
Despite overwhelming evidence, the FCC has failed to update these standards for nearly 30 years.
2. Implied Conflict Preemption
The doctrine of implied conflict preemption allows federal regulations to override state and local efforts to impose stricter safety measures. This legal loophole has prevented communities from protecting themselves, even when local governments recognize the dangers of placing cell towers near schools and homes.
3. Tort Immunity
The telecommunications industry enjoys broad protections from liability, making it nearly impossible for individuals or communities to hold companies accountable for health damages caused by RFR exposure. This immunity has stifled lawsuits and shielded the industry from scrutiny.
4. Regulatory Capture
The FCC’s revolving door with the telecom industry has led to decisions favoring corporate profits over public health. For example:
- Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, a telecom lobbyist, prioritized 5G deployment without addressing safety concerns.
- The agency has issued only two citations for safety violations since 1996, demonstrating a lack of enforcement.
5. The Telecommunications Act of 1996
This legislation effectively stripped local governments of the ability to reject cell tower placements based on health concerns. Communities have no say when towers are erected near schools, playgrounds, or homes.
6. Suppression of Science
Regulatory bodies and industry allies have systematically downplayed or ignored research on the health risks of RFR. The Biden-Harris administration halting funding for the National Toxicology Program’s wireless radiation research is a stark example of this suppression.
The Case for Change: A Better Path Forward
1. Space-Based Cell Towers
Elon Musk’s Starlink offers a revolutionary alternative:
- Reduced Ground-Level Radiation: Satellites positioned hundreds of kilometers above Earth significantly decrease exposure to RFR on the ground.
- Global Connectivity: Space-based solutions can bridge the digital divide while minimizing public health risks.
However, this technology must be independently studied to ensure safety.
2. Policy Reform
- Update FCC Guidelines: Safety standards must reflect modern science, incorporating both thermal and non-thermal effects.
- Restore NTP Funding: The government must reinstate research on the long-term health impacts of RFR.
- End Regulatory Capture: Transparency and accountability measures are needed to prevent corporate influence over regulatory agencies.
- Amend the Telecommunications Act: Communities must regain the right to reject cell towers based on health concerns.
The Landmark FCC Lawsuit: A Wake-Up Call
In a historic case, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Environmental Health Trust sued the FCC, challenging its outdated safety guidelines for RFR exposure. The FCC lost the case. The judge ruled that the FCC failed to adequately address the scientific evidence presented, particularly studies highlighting non-thermal effects of RFR exposure, such as oxidative stress, neurological damage, and increased cancer risk.
The court’s decision was a watershed moment, exposing the inadequacy of federal regulations. Both the FCC and the FDA were unable to convince the court that their guidelines were sufficient to protect public health. This ruling highlights the urgent need for updated safety standards and reinforces the ethical responsibility of organizations, including churches, to prioritize health over convenience or profit.
The Science Speaks: What We Know About RFR and Health Risks
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted a landmark study, exposing rodents to cell phone radiation at levels comparable to human exposure. The results were sobering: clear evidence of cancer, DNA damage, and neurological effects. These findings were later reinforced by the Ramazzini Institute, which studied radiation levels far lower—akin to those emitted by cell towers. Alarmingly, the results mirrored the NTP’s conclusions, with increased rates of cancer and other health issues.
Adding to this, research from Yale University demonstrated that prenatal exposure to cell phone radiation caused ADHD-like symptoms in mice. These findings are particularly concerning for children and pregnant women, who are more vulnerable to RFR exposure.
For churches, this means that hosting a cell tower could disproportionately harm the most vulnerable members of their congregations—children, the elderly, and expectant mothers.
Churches as Ethical Guardians
The decision to host a cell tower is not just a financial one; it’s a deeply ethical choice. Churches are places of worship, healing, and moral guidance. Allowing technology with potential health risks into this sacred space conflicts with these core values.
By leasing space for cell towers, churches may inadvertently sacrifice the well-being of their congregations for financial gain. This is not a judgment—it’s a call for awareness and reflection.
Church leaders must ask themselves: Is the financial benefit worth the potential risk to our community’s health?
RF Safe: Protecting Public Health
For over two decades, RF Safe has been at the forefront of addressing the dangers of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Our mission is to update outdated regulations, support research, and advocate for safer technology to protect public health.
Our Goals
- Update FCC Safety Guidelines: Modernize outdated regulations to reflect current scientific understanding.
- Restart National Toxicology Program (NTP) Cancer Research: Support ongoing research to uncover the long-term health impacts of RF radiation.
- End FCC Regulatory Capture: Ensure public health takes precedence over industry profits.
- Amend the Telecommunications Act of 1996: Restore local rights to address health concerns and protect communities.
These initiatives are vital to addressing the health risks posed by RFR, particularly to children and vulnerable populations.
A Call to Action: What Churches Can Do
Church leaders can take several steps to address this issue while staying true to their mission:
- Reevaluate Cell Tower Leases: Consider terminating existing leases or refusing to renew them. Your community’s health should come first.
- Advocate for Updated Safety Standards: Use your platform to demand updated FCC guidelines that account for the non-thermal effects of RFR exposure. The current guidelines are based on outdated science and fail to protect public health.
- Educate Congregations: Raise awareness about the potential health risks of RFR and empower your community to make informed decisions about their exposure.
- Support Independent Research: Advocate for funding and support for unbiased studies on RFR, like those conducted by the NTP and Ramazzini Institute.
- Consider Alternatives: If financial support is critical, explore other revenue streams that align with your church’s mission and values.
The Moral Imperative
Churches have a unique role in society as moral and ethical leaders. By allowing cell towers on their properties, they risk compromising not only the health of their congregations but also their moral authority. The evidence is mounting, and the need for action is urgent.
This is not just about science or legislation—it’s about safeguarding the sacred. Churches have the power to lead the way in protecting their communities from unnecessary harm. Let us not trade our health and peace for convenience or profit.
The time to act is now. Will your church answer the call?
