More than 1,200 pastors say they'll defy California's state order and resume in-person services

[PatrickforO]

Source: CNN

President Donald Trump, speaking more broadly on Thursday, said one of the things he wants to do to "normalize" life in the US is "get the churches open."

"The churches are not being treated with respect by a lot of the Democrat governors," Trump said. "I want to get our churches open, and we're going to take a very strong position on that soon."

It also comes one day after the Department of Justice sent Newsom a letter warning him that the state's plan to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic discriminated against churches.

In a letter to Newsom, the head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division wrote that the reopening plan, which allows for a return to restaurants and shopping malls ahead of religious services, contained "pronounced unequal treatment of faith communities" that could run afoul of the First Amendment.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/21/us/california-church-pastors-coronavirus-trnd/index.html

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So, there you have it: Donald Trump doing what he does best, stirring up the Crazy Christian Evangelicals to spread Christ-COVID to a community near you!

[FarPoint]

1. Let stupid run its course...

Stock up on PPE's, hand sanitizer, and take care of yourself...The warning had been clear.

[rurallib]

6. Understand your point and it would be Ok if those clowns

would then only interact with each other, but you know they won't.

They will get infected and pass it on in their newly opened businesses and offices.

[FarPoint]

14. I lecture every day about COVID 19 Protective Protocols...

Then, we have the resistance...We can't mitigate this effectively without compliance...So, let the cards fall...A second PEAK may make a change in behavior...

It's a tough love sort of stance...

[Bengus81]

41. Yep..and then take a hospital bed that someone might need from only grocery shopping

and contracting the virus.

[kysrsoze]

20. That's exactly what we're doing b/c we know these fools are going to trigger Wave 2

We'll just keep to ourselves for the next 6 months. It's not that hard. People are such babies nowadays. They don't know history, so they have know idea how brutal even WWII was for people across the globe.

[FarPoint]

32. I have given all I can to explain, be patient, educate others....

Some times...it falls on deaf ears...I accept that with no regret. I offer free hand sanitizer, masks to some yet they stand with our stupid pResident...so, let them learn the hard way...

I support and want all stores, restaurants etc...to adhere to no mask no service., disinfect surfaces.....I will not patron any store that does not adhere to this standard.

[rurallib]

46. understand your stance.

[AllyCat]

2. They must be running low on cash.

[Judi Lynn]

51. Exactly! The parasites want their hosts to bring them their money. n/t

[Thomas Hurt]

3. Roll the dice, test the Lord your God............Please proceed.

[Grins]

18. It won't work.

Even if thousands die.

Just like they continue to believe in the Rapture nonsense they predict to the exact hour that - Surprise again! - somehow, never comes, they will just mouth the usual “God’s plan...meant to be...who are we to question God..?”

But if there are to be fewer of them - fine with me! Just start with those of breeding age.

[dhill926]

4. good fucking christ....

meet your maker, rubes....

[genxlib]

5. I suspect

That this is more about economic viability than it is about faith.

I bet the donations are way down over the last few months. Despite all of the back-patting about charity and tithing, most people treat churches like a country club membership. They contribute in order to have a place to belong to.

The mega-money churches and wealthy pastors are certainly worried about the cash cow. But there are many more churches that struggle with budgets and I am certain they are desperate to get open for the same reason the businesses are.

[machoneman]

54. Many want cash only, not checks. Folks who have been staying at home aren't, I'm sure, mailing in..

...checks after years of mostly throwing cash in the basket. Sure, churches have many bills to pay as we do but to subject their congregants to the virus is stupid and irresponsible. But, then again, what do you expect from folks actually hoping for the Rapture?

Take them all Lord and before the election! Ha!

[bucolic_frolic]

7. The rigid-minded are true believers

may they rest in peace.

[GeorgeGist]

8. Thou shall not kill ...

unless you're a Christian in need of a fix.

[jls4561]

9. So if my local Pastafarian service is held at the bar in the Italian restaurant?

And the restaurant is only doing take out - does that mean my first amendment rights are being violated?

[pwb]

10. Any senior going to church after this is an idiot.

This disease will kill you horribly.

[DBoon]

11. Being infected by a deadly virus is against MY religion

What about the right to live?

[bluestarone]

12. I just wish there were a way to DENY medical treatment to these idiots

RELIGIOUS FUCKING PSYCHO'S Edit to add IF they truly want to meet their maker, they should REFUSE hospital treatment!

[Mr. Evil]

23. My idea is that they should be made to sign a waiver upon entering their church.

It would state that they must eschew any and all medical treatment should they become infected with Covid 19. It would also state that should they test positive and did not adhere to safety protocols they could be held liable for those that they have infected.

I wonder how many would actually sign that waiver.

[hibbing]

13. WWJD?

[empedocles]

16. Donuts?

[Thomas Hurt]

22. If you believe these fools, he would have leapt from the temple when the devil asked.

[PatrickforO]

28. Well, they sure have leapt from the temple. Like a bunch of darned lemmings.

Right off the old cliff.

[christx30]

29. Remember when You ask this question,

running through a church, flipping over tables and whipping people is not outside the realm possibilities.

[Maeve]

48. Jesus loves you, so He wants you

TO STAY THE FUCK AT HOME!! And wear the damned mask!!!!!!!

[louis-t]

15. Then make sure the funeral homes stay open as well.

[nycbos]

17. Bring out your dead

[keithbvadu2]

33. "I'm getting better."

[KWR65]

19. It's their funeral

There are leading vulnerable people in their church to certain death. The bible is not a suicide pact.

[niyad]

21. I have no problem with these idiots going to church. As long as each and every one of them signs a

waiver stating that they hereby waive their rights to seek medical treatment, not just for covid45, but ALL medical conditions. Then we lock the dors-40 days and 40 nights. They have bathrooms, kitchens, cooking facilities. Food and other necessities can be delivered.

Their deity will protect them??? They are washed in the blood of the lamb???? Let us watch their faith being tested.

[Bengus81]

42. And make all of them wear a red wrist band so I can stay 50 feet away.....

from those nut jobs.


Praise the "lowered"---literally.

[niyad]

49. Darn, thanks for the wristband. I should have thought of that.o

[Thekaspervote]

24. Fine, then you and your flock will become ill and some will die

Whatever happened to the “what would jesus do” thing?

Greedy bastards just want the collection plate passed

[PatrickforO]

30. Yeah, but you know it's worse than that. If it was just them at risk,

I'd say, no prob, your funeral.

But it's not. These people interact with others all over the community - at work, in the stores that are open and so on. So, if a congregation gets infected, it just adds to the overall problem. Heck, you probably know that, but it is definitely what disgusts me the most.

I always try and live by the golden rule - do unto others only what you would have them do unto you. That's a great moral compass, and I've really tried to live by it. And here these people are, ostensibly Christians, and they are selfishly going to put their communities at risk for a terrible disease because their selfish pastors value their 'freedom' more than the welfare and lives of the people around them.

"We're gonna do it God's way," he says, but the reality is so many more are going to get sick, and more are going to die because of their utter self-centeredness. It just makes me sick.

[saidsimplesimon]

25. "Freedom is just another word..."

I reject all attempts to normalize the insanity of a despot or religious zealots.

[snowybirdie]

26. Hope they say

a prayer for the pastors and priests who've already been stricken and died.

[mainer]

27. Allow parishioners to sue churches for damages

when they or their relatives get sick and die of Covid. That should make them shut down pretty quick.

[stillcool]

31. the Justice Department Civil Rights Division

what a frigging joke. A pandemic, and every church-goer has the right to spread covid-19 any where they want. Be interesting to see who shows up. Hopefully they'll tell anyone they come in contact with that they might be contagious.

[keithbvadu2]

34. What church is Donald going to attend on a regular basis?

of course.

[central scrutinizer]

35. Here's a middle ground

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/us/church-uses-water-gun-to-spray-holy-water/index.html

Although a crop duster would be more efficient.

[progree]

36. Minnesota too - Catholic, Lutheran Leaders Say They Will Defy Gov. Tim Walz's Order

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/05/20/catholic-lutheran-leaders-say-they-will-defy-gov-tim-walzs-order-reopen-may-28/

Catholic, Lutheran Leaders Say They Will Defy Gov. Tim Walz’s Order, Reopen May 26, 5/20/20

The heads of Minnesota’s Catholic and Lutheran churches say they will defy Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order and reopen on May 26 — without adhering to the requirement of no more than 10 worshipers at a given service.

The law firm Becket released a statement early Wednesday evening on behalf of the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Minnesota, citing the perceived hypocrisy of allowing retail stores, casinos, bars and restaurants to have a 50% capacity as a major reason to not follow the governor’s order.

“Governor Walz’s latest re-opening order allows the Mall of America to open its doors to those seeking retail therapy but disallows churches from providing spiritual healing to their congregations,” the statement read.

... “Why are churches limited to 10 people outdoors while hundreds of people can gather in the aisles of big box stores?” Daudt said.

... Both denominations say they plan to reopen with only about a third of their congregation inside during services, and they will follow social distancing guidelines. (another article says additionally, "People would be spaced in pews, there would be one-way traffic, and no choirs." -Progree)

As for the restaurants and bars stuff in the second paragraph of the above, actually only outdoor seating is allowed under Governor Walz's (D) order. No indoor seating. All this begins June 1:

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/05/20/gov-walz-outlines-rules-for-restaurants-salons-to-reopen-on-june-1/

Under the plan, restaurants will be able to host outdoor dining starting June 1, provided that social distancing in enforced. No more than 50 patrons may be seated at a time, tables must have at least 6 feet between them, and parties are limited to four (or, if everyone’s in the same family, six). Reservations will be required, and all workers must be wearing masks.

[yaesu]

37. inciting violence used to be a crime. nt

[Stuart G]

38. I repeat again..& again....These people are much too stupid to know they are very "STUPID"...

Having people sitting next to each other in church, "spreads the virus."

Is that correct? If I am wrong..I don't mind saying, "I was wrong, or I am wrong."

It ain't the first, and won't be the last time I am wrong. But I think that this time, I am correct..

What do you think? Right or Wrong?

Having people sitting next to each other in church, "spreads the virus."

[WestLosAngelesGal]

44. And don't forget about singing...

singing, handshakes, hugs, prayer circles with everyone breathing toward another person, the inevitable coffee and cookies after church in the fellowship hall, and... communion, where someone, hopefully gloved and masked, picks up the used little cups and understands that they are now haz-mat items.

[Initech]

39. Shit like this is why the lockdowns are going to keep getting extended.

[turbinetree]

40. R.E.M. - Losing My Religion (Official Music Video)

[Bengus81]

43. Hey IQ45, you already have the evangelical vote,so killing them helps your election in what way?

[Frances]

45. Let the churches pay the same taxes as businesses

If they want to be treated like businesses in this crisis

[Duppers]

50. AMEN!

[LiberalFighter]

47. They aren't his churches.

[IronLionZion]

52. The love to spread the good word

and spread other things too. The main problem here is it won't be limited to these people. They will likely spread it to others in the community who did not make this choice, like essential workers, family members, etc.

Trump/GOP plan to spread this virus around their base may backfire badly as liberals maintain social distance and conservatives won't. Any group of conservatives are going to have several refusing to wear masks because it oppresses their freedoms, and maybe a few who will deliberately cough and touch surfaces to show it's all a global deep state hoax.

[rdking647]

53. start by taxing every church that reopens

and then move on to taxing all churches