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RandySF

(82,150 posts)
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:10 PM Apr 2020

Louisiana 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 America’s 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

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Louisiana Church Expects 2,000 for Easter Service (Original Post) RandySF Apr 2020 OP
"we will spread..." something else. lock them into quarantine for 14 days nt msongs Apr 2020 #1
As long as they don't make their kids, family members, neighbors, and co workers sick too Botany Apr 2020 #2
they don't learn mshasta Apr 2020 #3
I saw pictures of various shots inside the church jimfields33 Apr 2020 #18
Pride goeth before a fall Hekate Apr 2020 #4
I have a feeling that this article isn't going to age well. smirkymonkey Apr 2020 #5
Lock him.up right now! SheltieLover Apr 2020 #6
The Lord is honored by obedience over sacrifice. sprinkleeninow Apr 2020 #7
Wow. onecaliberal Apr 2020 #8
We couldn't expect the Rev. to pass up one of the biggest pay days of the year calguy Apr 2020 #9
Isn't suicide one of the worst sins? Doreen Apr 2020 #10
let them go to church then fucking lock them inside demtenjeep Apr 2020 #11
"Stupid is as stupid does." nt tblue37 Apr 2020 #12
They're gonna spread more than the Gospel. VOX Apr 2020 #13
BEFORE they enter the church service bluestarone Apr 2020 #14
And they are certainly going to take their children. Laffy Kat Apr 2020 #15
Go for it! Miigwech Apr 2020 #16
Won't God hear them if they pray at home? Or does He need that revenue stream to keep listening? Baclava Apr 2020 #17
Only Anti-Christian churches will be holding in-person services. nakocal Apr 2020 #19
The neighbors and non crazy families of that 2,000 should avoid them. Blue_true Apr 2020 #20
Wonder how many will be around for Christmas? Marthe48 Apr 2020 #21

Botany

(76,697 posts)
2. As long as they don't make their kids, family members, neighbors, and co workers sick too
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:14 PM
Apr 2020

Fine have at it. Darwin wins in the end.

 

jimfields33

(19,382 posts)
18. I saw pictures of various shots inside the church
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:57 PM
Apr 2020

It’s a diverse group. Looks like America. But they really should wait a few weeks.

SheltieLover

(78,235 posts)
6. Lock him.up right now!
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:18 PM
Apr 2020

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

(22,186 posts)
7. The Lord is honored by obedience over sacrifice.
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:20 PM
Apr 2020

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!

calguy

(6,101 posts)
9. We couldn't expect the Rev. to pass up one of the biggest pay days of the year
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:21 PM
Apr 2020

He's not concerned about risking the health of the congregation as long as he collects the ca$h.

Doreen

(11,686 posts)
10. Isn't suicide one of the worst sins?
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:23 PM
Apr 2020

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.

VOX

(22,976 posts)
13. They're gonna spread more than the Gospel.
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:41 PM
Apr 2020

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.

Laffy Kat

(16,900 posts)
15. And they are certainly going to take their children.
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:45 PM
Apr 2020

Beyond irresponsible and there will be heart-break as a result.

 

Baclava

(12,047 posts)
17. Won't God hear them if they pray at home? Or does He need that revenue stream to keep listening?
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 06:52 PM
Apr 2020

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)
19. Only Anti-Christian churches will be holding in-person services.
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 07:05 PM
Apr 2020

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)
20. The neighbors and non crazy families of that 2,000 should avoid them.
Fri Apr 10, 2020, 07:10 PM
Apr 2020

Let them make each other sick, not innocent people.

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