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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: 11197
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 # 22.
#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?
Do you believe that God has the power to heal the sick? Or maybe you find God of the Bible to be a liar. If God has the power to heal to you believe he would keep the faithful healthy? Do you think it shows a lack of faith to be afraid that God would t protect you? I'm talking a out the truly faithful here. Not the fakers. These are just questions.
2) Or maybe you find God of the Bible to be a liar. 3) If God has the power to heal to you believe he would keep the faithful healthy? 4) Do you think it shows a lack of faith to be afraid that God would t protect you? I'm talking a out the truly faithful here. Not the fakers. 5) These are just questions. These are just answers to the numbered questions: 1) I do. 2) That’s a “false premise.” 3) I believe that God not only has the power to keep the “faithful healthy” but that God has the power to keep “everyone” healthy. 4) Yes. Doing a piggyback on the post here – In regards to some of your other posts … I once tried to explain to Pinguinite that an “addressing” problem occurs when someone clicks on the “Reply” link at the bottom of the posted article. Some people know that they are replying to the author when the screen name of the person who posted the article appears on the “To” line. While others may erroneously think that they are directing their statement to the person who posted the article by clicking on the “Reply” at the bottom of the article
This was in the context of coronavirus. So why do you think that the faithful shouldn't go to church. You said you believe God will protect them and they are showing lack of faith if they don't believe that.
I of course believe that God does have a perfect will for each of us and that does include different kinds of protection. I find there are 22 different Bible verses discussing God’s protection. It should therefore be fairly easy for someone to use any one of those to substantiate a point. So, I guess the real question to ask here may be: Does God protect us in all situations? And the answer to that in one sense of the matter is that we will never know how many times God really protected us. When I was a young lad growing up in the piney wood of NW Florida, I would walk some miles to watch the football game on Friday night. I had to walk through a swamp area that often time flooded over the dirt road when it rained heavily. When I went to the game it was early in the evening and I had no problem seeing what might lie in front of me. However when I returned to walk back through the swamp area it was dark. I had no fear of snakes but I knew it could be possible that one had crawled out onto the dirt road and I might step on it in the darkness. So when I got to the swamp area I would high-step it with jumps off each foot and high as possible – All the time saying: The LORD is my shepherd … And I raised my voice when Igot to the part saying: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…As loud as I possible could. As I mentioned earlier: “We will never know how many times God really protected us.” I do however know that I am here today to tell you that during those years, I never stepped on a cottonmouth. So, you go figure … “By his grace” … BTW, my father was a preacher during that time – For whatever that ‘s worth.
#24. To: All (#22)
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.
#14. To: Gatlin (#13)
#17. To: A K A Stone (#14)
1) Do you believe that God has the power to heal the sick?
An argument from false premise is a line of reasoning which can lead to wrong results.
#18. To: Gatlin (#17)
4) Yes.
#22. To: A K A Stone (#18)
Gatlin: 4) Yes.
Stone: This was in the context of coronavirus.
The question was:
4) Do you think it shows a lack of faith to be afraid that God would t protect you? I'm talking a out the truly faithful here. Not the fakers. In a world with free will to make our own choices, we can’t get around the fact that hardships await us—Jesus promised us as much. However, he has a perfect will for us and that includes different kinds of protection. Featured Bible Verse: Psalm 23:1-4 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Replies to Comment # 22.
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