Pastor defies coronavirus ban as hundreds attend church
A Louisiana pastor held a church service Tuesday night with hundreds of congregants despite an order from the state's governor banning gatherings of more than 50 people. The pastor, Reverend Tony Spell, told CBS affiliate WAFB that the coronavirus, which has killed at least 109 people in the United States, is "not a concern."
Spell said police showed up at Life Tabernacle Church in East Baton Rouge Parish following the service and told him the National Guard would break up any future services larger than 50 people.
"It's not a concern," Spell told WAFB. "The virus, we believe, is politically motivated. We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says."
Like many other state and city leaders throughout the nation, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards banned any gatherings of more than 50 people to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus — a restriction that applies to religious congregations. The Trump administration is now urging Americans to avoid gatherings with more than 10 people, and many churches around the country have canceled services for the time being.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pastor-defies-coronavirus-ban-as-hundreds-attend-church/ar-BB11nsyC?li=BBnbcA1
Got to keep that collection plate going.
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