Churches vs State: Covid restrictions and more

mr wonder · #1 (**permalink**) 04-06-2021, 08:53 AM

Wanted to set up a place for this issue.
the Covid1984 issues has a been used as another wedge to chip away at even more civil liberties in general but again it has had a special impact on those with a religious beliefs.

the 1st story i want to post is about Pastor in Canada who spent time in prison for refusing to abide by the gov't "GUIDELINES".
there's more on him and other Churches in the USA and elsewhere... will add later.

"GraceLife church pastor James Coates will remain behind bars ahead of his trial this spring for allegedly breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
Coates, pastor at the Parkland County church, has been jailed in the Edmonton Remand Centre for the past two weeks after continuing to hold worship services without face masks, capacity limits or physical distancing."

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...to-run-may-3-5

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/202...ased-from-jail

https://churchleaders.com/news/39173...may-trial.html

GottaGo · #2 (**permalink**) 04-06-2021, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr wonder

Wanted to set up a place for this issue.
the Covid1984 issues has a been used as another wedge to chip away at even more civil liberties in general but again it has had a special impact on those with a religious beliefs.

the 1st story i want to post is about Pastor in Canada who spent time in prison for refusing to abide by the gov't "GUIDELINES".
there's more on him and other Churches in the USA and elsewhere... will add later.

"GraceLife church pastor James Coates will remain behind bars ahead of his trial this spring for allegedly breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
Coates, pastor at the Parkland County church, has been jailed in the Edmonton Remand Centre for the past two weeks after continuing to hold worship services without face masks, capacity limits or physical distancing."

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...to-run-may-3-5

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/202...ased-from-jail

https://churchleaders.com/news/39173...may-trial.html

We already know that the best way to weaken people is to separate and segregate, force isolation and take away virtually everything familiar.

Churches are fertile grounds for community bonding, and we just can't have that.

saltwn · #3 (**permalink**) 04-06-2021, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr wonder

Wanted to set up a place for this issue.
the Covid1984 issues has a been used as another wedge to chip away at even more civil liberties in general but again it has had a special impact on those with a religious beliefs.

the 1st story i want to post is about Pastor in Canada who spent time in prison for refusing to abide by the gov't "GUIDELINES".
there's more on him and other Churches in the USA and elsewhere... will add later.

"GraceLife church pastor James Coates will remain behind bars ahead of his trial this spring for allegedly breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
Coates, pastor at the Parkland County church, has been jailed in the Edmonton Remand Centre for the past two weeks after continuing to hold worship services without face masks, capacity limits or physical distancing."

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...to-run-may-3-5

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/202...ased-from-jail

https://churchleaders.com/news/39173...may-trial.html

Good.
He's not God, just another guy who broke the law.
Just because he's stupid doesn't mean he gets off either.

Constant_Slothrop · #4 (**permalink**) 04-06-2021, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr wonder

Wanted to set up a place for this issue.
the Covid1984 issues has a been used as another wedge to chip away at even more civil liberties in general but again it has had a special impact on those with a religious beliefs.

the 1st story i want to post is about Pastor in Canada who spent time in prison for refusing to abide by the gov't "GUIDELINES".
there's more on him and other Churches in the USA and elsewhere... will add later.

"GraceLife church pastor James Coates will remain behind bars ahead of his trial this spring for allegedly breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
Coates, pastor at the Parkland County church, has been jailed in the Edmonton Remand Centre for the past two weeks after continuing to hold worship services without face masks, capacity limits or physical distancing."

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...to-run-may-3-5

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/202...ased-from-jail

https://churchleaders.com/news/39173...may-trial.html

Any suggestion that churches shouldn't have to comply with public health and safety laws is just ridiculous. No church could get away with locking fire exits, having excessive levels of carbon monoxide or tainted drinking water, for example. The same is and should be true for COVID-19 public health requirements. Comply or go to jail.

mr wonder · #5 (**permalink**) 04-06-2021, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

Good.
He's not God, just another guy who broke the law.
Just because he's stupid doesn't mean he gets off either.

Is the government God?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constant_Slothrop

Any suggestion that churches shouldn't have to comply with public health and safety laws is just ridiculous. No church could get away with locking fire exits, having excessive levels of carbon monoxide or tainted drinking water, for example. The same is and should be true for COVID-19 public health requirements. Comply or go to jail.

Let's say you're right.
Does the public ...anyone... get a chance to vote on the public health and safety laws/regs/edicts? ever?
Yes or No?

Or do we simply blindly obey the rules set out by the powers that be?
Do we quietly accept the arbitrary punishments administered for non-compliance in the face of ZERO harm?

saltwn · #6 (**permalink**) 04-06-2021, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr wonder

Is the government God?

Render under Caesar...

Let's say you're right.
Does the public ...anyone... get a chance to vote on the public health and safety laws/regs/edicts? ever?
Yes or No?

Or do we simply blindly obey the rules set out by the powers that be?
Do we quietly accept the arbitrary punishments administered for non-compliance in the face of ZERO harm?

You vote representatives and governors who you think will look out for your best interest.

GetAClue · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2021, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

You vote representatives and governors who you think will look out for your best interest.

And some of them will soon come to realize that they have overstepped their authority.

However, until that happens, these wanna be dictators need to understand that their emergency powers do NOT usurp the rights guaranteed in the Constitution. I know that the stories in this thread were in Canada, but there have been reports of similar enforcements in the United States.

cnredd · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2021, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constant_Slothrop

Any suggestion that churches shouldn't have to comply with public health and safety laws is just ridiculous.

...unless the "public health and safety laws" are intentionally meant to discriminate, because only fools would believe all laws are passed with honest intentions...

jamesrage · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2021, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

Good.
He's not God, just another guy who broke the law.

He did not break the law.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The constitution is the supreme law of the land. So any law banning religious gatherings is totally illegal. Those that banned religious gatherings should be the ones thrown in jail.Hopefully the pastor sues the **** out of the city for blatantly violating his constitutional rights and wins a **** load of money.

jamesrage · #10 (**permalink**) 04-09-2021, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constant_Slothrop

Any suggestion that churches shouldn't have to comply with public health and safety laws is just ridiculous. No church could get away with locking fire exits, having excessive levels of carbon monoxide or tainted drinking water, for example. The same is and should be true for COVID-19 public health requirements. Comply or go to jail.

If those health requirements prohibit them from exercising their religion then no they don't have to comply. Attending religious services is part of exercising one's religion.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mr wonder For This Useful Post:
GottaGo, pjohns

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to GottaGo For This Useful Post:
GetAClue, mr wonder, pjohns

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Constant_Slothrop For This Useful Post:
jimbo, saltwn

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mr wonder For This Useful Post:
GetAClue, pjohns

The Following User Says Thank You to saltwn For This Useful Post:
jimbo

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to GetAClue For This Useful Post:
AZRWinger, mr wonder, pjohns

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to cnredd For This Useful Post:
mr wonder, pjohns