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Title: Louisiana church packed for services again despite charges against pastor amid pandemic
Source:
CBS News
URL Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/corona ... ges-against-pastor-tony-spell/
Published: Apr 1, 2020
Author: AP
Post Date: 2020-04-01 14:41:57 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 12265
Comments: 49
Central, Louisiana — Buses and cars filled a Louisiana church parking lot for another service Tuesday evening as worshippers flocked to hear a Louisiana pastor who is facing misdemeanor charges for holding services despite a ban on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic. A few protesters turned out, too, including a man shouting through a bullhorn against those gathering at the Life Tabernacle Church in the city of Central, where pastor Tony Spell has been holding services. Another demonstrator held up a sign reading: "God don't like stupid." CBS Baton Rouge affiliate WAFB-TV reported the service was jammed with hundreds of parishioners. The station said there were also dozens of cars on hand to see if anyone stopped Spell from holding the service. Afterward, people began leaving the church, some chatting outside the front doors, and many appearing to not be adhering to social distancing recommendations to remain at least six feet apart. Hugs and handshakes were shared freely as people said their goodbyes and departed. Hours earlier on Tuesday, Spell was issued a summons for holding services previously at the church in violation of the governor's order banning gatherings. "Come out, Tony. Come tell us why you're endangering people's lives," the man with the bullhorn shouted Tuesday evening, directing his words at the pastor. Flanked by some of his congregation, including children and older people, Spell emerged from the church later Tuesday night and said he is going to keep his church doors open. He said he doesn't consider doing that any different than keeping the doors of Walmart open. Spell also compared going to church to going to the hospital, but for spiritual healing. "We are needy people. Our souls are lost," he said. "We need help, and the church is the salvation center of the soul, the sanctuary where we come together and meet." Spell told CBS News that 1,265 people went to his church on Sunday, and he defended their assembly. "We have a constitutional right to congregate," Spell said in an email on Monday. "We will continue." He said they disinfect the venue daily and even boasted that it's "cleaner" than open gas stations, Walmart and Sam's Club. Spell offered a "no comment" when asked whether his church was still collecting donations. Earlier this month, after a weekday service, he caught criticism for his controversial remarks when he told CBS affiliate WAFB that the coronavirus was "not a concern." "The virus, we believe, is politically motivated," Spell told WAFB. "We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says." Around Louisiana, more than 5,200 people have confirmed virus infections, and 239 state residents have died, according to the Louisiana health department. The order from Gov. John Bel Edwards prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people, said East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore. Each violation carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine, Moore said. "The whole situation just puts everyone at risk," Moore said. "We ask everyone to abide by the governor's order." The governor has urged church leaders instead to continue their services online or in smaller groups to lessen the risks. Spell had previously confirmed he was facing misdemeanor charges. He said when reached by phone earlier that he was read his rights and fingerprinted - but the summons wasn't deterring him. He said he would continue to defy the ban. "We're still here and still assembling and having church," Spell said. Asked why he was defying the governor's orders, he said, "Because the Lord told us to." Asked whether he was concerned about the pandemic, Spell said: "I'm no more concerned than I would be going to Walmart or Home Depot." Moore said earlier that additional charges could be issued if Spell continued to disobey Edwards' ban on gatherings. He said the pastor wasn't booked into jail earlier because parish officials are trying to lessen the jail population amid the risks of the highly contagious virus. Earlier, Central Assistant Police Chief Darren Sibley had said officers had no plans to try to stop Tuesday night's prayer service. But he said they would "document everything and forward everything to the district attorney." "He is doing this for publicity," Sibley said of Spell. "He is putting the citizens of the community at risk. And he is putting the people in his congregation at risk." Edwards issued a "stay at home" order that he said he will extend through the end of April to combat the spread of the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus, which is threatening to overwhelm hospitals with patients. Edwards said Tuesday that law enforcement authorities had been "extremely patient" with Spell and had "done everything that they could" to get him to comply with the governor's order before issuing the summons. "I'm going to appeal to them one more time: Please stop what you're doing," Edwards said. "The overwhelming majority of our faith leaders have found other ways to engage with their parishioners."
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 21.
#1. To: Deckard (#0)
While reading through the article you posted here, I was reminded of all the terrible things you said here about Dr. Ronnie W. Floyd after you only briefly watched a carefully edited video showing a very short excerpt from one of his sermons. You really had at him – You tore into him. Remember? In case you don’t, I will refresh your memory and post that you said: Yet you have absolutely nothing to say about Pastor Rony Spell holding services at Life Tabernacle Church in the city of Central, Louisiana despite a ban on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic and facing misdemeanor charges for holding services Puzzling … Since you will not pursue the matter with Pastor Tony Spell like you did with Dr. Ronnie W. Flood – Then I will by presenting this video of an interview with him for your consideration: Your reaction? Respectfully …
If you can't understand the difference between them, then I simply cannot help you to see. Dr. Ronnie W. Floyd is a false teacher. Yet you have absolutely nothing to say about Pastor Rony Spell holding services at Life Tabernacle Church in the city of Central, Louisiana despite a ban on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic and facing misdemeanor charges for holding services Of course I do - keep up God's work and keep your church open. The church is going the extra mile with safety precautions, I would go there. My reaction to the video? Thanks for posting it - it simply clarifies the reasons for staying open. "Is it any more irresponsible than people going into Costco where there's a thousand people, a WalMart where there's 300 people, and I'm not posing any more of a threat than the people who are at the mall right now...it seems that the church is being persecuted because we are an easier target. Yeah - who can disagree with that?
I missed where he stated what those “safety precautions” are – What are they? From the article Is allowing 1,265 people to congregate in his church on Sunday taking “safety precautions” when in the 12-parish Capital region [where Ronny Spell’s church is located], the number of cases rose 12.5% to 678 on Wednesday, and the number of cases in the region have risen by more than three-quarters since Saturday, almost doubling – “going the extra mile with safety precautions?” I find that statement interesting and quite complexing. You posted to me that you were shopping at wee hours to avoid crowds and working from home as a response to the virus pandemic. Now you tell me here that you would go to his church with the other 1,265 people in a defined area where the number of cases rose 12.5% to 678 on Wednesday, and the number of cases in the region have risen by more than three-quarters since Saturday, almost doubling. Which is it with you – avoiding crowds or mingling among crowds? Yeah - who can disagree with that? Going to places to shop food and other basic essentials to maintain life is not the same as practicing religion. You cannot shop for food and other basic essentials to maintain life at home – but surely can practice religion there. Besides, I have been told that a Costco in the area is limiting the number of shoppers in the store to 40 and requiring those people in the cue to remain 6 feet apart. Now, I would say that is “going the extra mile with safety precautions.” Yeah - who can disagree with that?
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." You cannot shop for food and other basic essentials to maintain life at home – but surely can practice religion there. Watching a service on the interwebs is not the same as Christian fellowship, praise and worship. Which is it with you – avoiding crowds or mingling among crowds? Once again - avoiding strangers at WalMart is one thing. Participating in a worship service with people you know is quite another.
Conversely – It is not a absolute finite requirement to have fellowship in order to praise and worship. It is often like you said, that what we need is more fellowship. But face it – the modern ideas of fellowship have become so watered down that the meaning of the word no longer carries the same meaning during these days and times as it did during Biblical times. Foolish, isn’t it – to think that if we were to drop off our associations with other Christians and miss out associating with others in worship and service, that we would run out of blessed spiritual fervor and religious dedication in time. There say ther can be no substitute for “going to church and worshiping with others of like precious faith.” Others say that you don’t need that as a crutch. First, to understand why God cares if we go to church, it’s important to understand the definition of church. Church is commonly understood to be a building used for public Christian worship but the biblical definition characterizes the church as people. We see the word church used in the Bible multiple ways. First, it is described as the body of Christ. The church is often defined as a local assembly or group of believers. Paul, who was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, says in his greeting “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be His holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2). This is just one example of the church being defined as company or assembly. Continued here Respectfully …
There are no replies to Comment # 21. End Trace Mode for Comment # 21.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Do you see the arrogance and cockiness of this hotshot? He comes off as so full of pride. I can't believe those people sit there in his church and expose themselves to this nonsense.
#12. To: Gatlin (#1)
(Edited)
#13. To: Deckard (#12)
The church is going the extra mile with safety precautions …
Spell told CBS News that 1,265 people went to his church on Sunday.
… I would go there.
"Is it any more irresponsible than people going into Costco where there's a thousand people, a WalMart where there's 300 people, and I'm not posing any more of a threat than the people who are at the mall right now...it seems that the church is being persecuted because we are an easier target.
#15. To: Gatlin (#13)
Going to places to shop food and other basic essentials to maintain life is not the same as practicing religion.
#21. To: Deckard (#15)
Watching a service on the interwebs is not the same as Christian fellowship, praise and worship.
There are many Christians who love going to church but there are also many Christians who don’t. It has become increasingly popular for Christians to stay at home and find alternative methods to practice their faith including prayer, meditation and personal Bible study. Many people who don’t attend church regularly or at all wonder what the point of going to church is if they have a personal relationship with God. While not attending church will not send you to hell or make God love you any less, it is not what God hoped for His people and can hinder spiritual growth.
Replies to Comment # 21.
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