General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLouisiana Church Expects 2,000 for Easter Service
Most U.S. churches are expected to be closed on Sunday, and a broad majority of observant Americans are expected to follow authorities recommendations to avoid crowds to limit the spread of the potentially lethal COVID-19 respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.
But not all of them.
Satan and a virus will not stop us, said the Reverend Tony Spell, 42, pastor of the evangelical Life Tabernacle Church near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He expects a crowd of more than 2,000 to gather in worship at his megachurch on Sunday.
God will shield us from all harm and sickness, Spell said in an interview. We are not afraid. We are called by God to stand against the Antichrist creeping into Americas borders. We will spread the Gospel.
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 14,700 lives across the United States and infected more than 431,700 people, with officials predicting the worst is yet to come.
Major U.S. religious institutions, including Roman Catholic dioceses and major Protestant denominations, will hold religious services online as well as through local broadcast radio and television, with just a handful of ministers and priests preaching sermons and reading liturgies to rows of empty pews.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-easter-usa-idUSKCN21S10Y
msongs
(73,239 posts)Botany
(76,697 posts)Fine have at it. Darwin wins in the end.
mshasta
(2,108 posts)fucking stubborn people
always money , those mega churches are after money.
jimfields33
(19,382 posts)Its a diverse group. Looks like America. But they really should wait a few weeks.
Hekate
(100,133 posts)Pure vanity and ego
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Just a hunch.
SheltieLover
(78,258 posts)For making a terrorist threat!
I have to wonder how it is that these congregants do not see it as their obligation to use what little brains their god gave them.
sprinkleeninow
(22,191 posts)Obey your elected officials, man of 'god'.
I'm a practicing Orthodox Christian to the best of my ability, and this guy seems to choose disobedience. Go read your bible, o holy terror. Anathema!
onecaliberal
(36,594 posts)calguy
(6,101 posts)He's not concerned about risking the health of the congregation as long as he collects the ca$h.
Doreen
(11,686 posts)What is that joke about a man whose ship sinks and he is drifting on a piece of wood and he has three different chances to escape and does not take them and finally dies and when at the pearly gates he asks god why he did not save him. God replied that he gave him three chances and he did not accept them.
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)I am so fucking done with stupid
tblue37
(68,341 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)What a load of horse flop: God will shield us from all harm and sickness.
These folks would be right at home in the Middle Ages. Cruel monarchs, plague and insane Christianity are a comfortable fit for them.
bluestarone
(21,639 posts)Mark 666 on their foreheads!
Laffy Kat
(16,902 posts)Beyond irresponsible and there will be heart-break as a result.
Miigwech
(3,741 posts)Baclava
(12,047 posts)I dont rea!ly know, thats why Im asking, I guess pandemics are busy times for gods and these pastors are putting them to the test
nakocal
(624 posts)The pastors of these churches only care about how much they take in the collection plate. The attendees could infect and be responsible for the death of hundreds, if not thousands. But funerals also make money for these churches.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Let them make each other sick, not innocent people.
Marthe48
(22,862 posts)God is probably smacking his head
