Religious groups battle orders to close services

[left-of-center2012]

Several places of worship across the country are holding religious services for their congregations, and some are directly challenging state and local stay-at-home orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Most of the country is under a stay-at-home order, but a few of the 38 states that have issued such statewide restrictions have designated religious services as “essential,” which allows people to gather in larger groups to worship.

While many religious denominations have transferred their services online, some leaders say their in-person gatherings should be considered “essential.” Eleven states, out of the 38 that have issued statewide stay-at-home orders, have granted exemptions for religious gatherings: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Almost a fifth of respondents to a poll last week said they were still attending religious gatherings in person. “I believe that our community suffers most when our churches are closed" Pastor Juan Bustamante of City On A Hill Church in Houston said.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/491019-several-religious-groups-challenge-stay-at-home-orders-calling

[Newest Reality]

1. That's

That's called picking a fight and then saying you are being persecuted.

As I have said, praying in church is nonessential according to Jesus in Matthew.

But, the Pastors won't talk about the bills and their salaries as well as lots of attention as scraped crusaders.

This is about us all, not their misunderstandings and petty gripes right now. We all get affected by their phony self-righteousness and arrogance when this virus spreads and it is a matter of life and death.

[gibraltar72]

2. Most legitimate churches are responsible

Snake Handlers and Evangelicals are not.