Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
Sun May 24, 2020, 11:01 PM May 2020

Philadelphia Pastor Warns Congregation Trump's Push for Churches to Reopen Is 'Political Pandering'

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Newsweek


BY CHRISTINA ZHAO ON 5/24/20 AT 9:13 PM EDT

A Philadelphia pastor has warned his congregation that President Donald Trump's order for churches to be allowed to reopen immediately is "political pandering," and that science still suggests it's not safe to gather in large crowds.

Trump on Friday pushed for the reopening of churches across America that have been closed amid the pandemic to stop people gathering and worsening the coronavirus outbreak. "Allow these very important, essential places of faith to open right now for this weekend. If they don't do it, I will override the governors," the president said at the White House. "In America we need more prayer, not less."

Senior pastor Alyn Waller, of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, home to one of the city's largest African American congregations, told his 31,000 Facebook followers in a video on Saturday that Trump's move is "political pandering to the right, extreme right-wing, to make a point for their votes."

. . .

The pastor also informed his congregation that he will continue to hold services through Zoom and Facebook Live until health authorities deem it safe to gather in large groups. "The truth of the matter is the science still suggests that it is not safe to gather in large crowds," Waller said.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/philadelphia-pastor-warns-congregation-trumps-push-churches-reopen-political-pandering-1506279?piano_t=1



(video at link)
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Philadelphia Pastor Warns Congregation Trump's Push for Churches to Reopen Is 'Political Pandering' (Original Post) Judi Lynn May 2020 OP
Good. Hope this message spreads throughout PA, elleng May 2020 #1
A true follower of Jesus. roamer65 May 2020 #2
Anytime Trump proposes something stupid, we should ask "What could go wrong?". Initech May 2020 #3
Political pandering is exactly what it is. StarryNite May 2020 #4
A Sensible Christian? Jeorge IX May 2020 #5
If my pastor didn't reject trumps demands duforsure May 2020 #6
K&R ck4829 May 2020 #7
Since when did not holding church services prevent anyone from praying?? Grammy23 May 2020 #8
Smoking pot is the same as gathering close in large groups? LiberalLovinLug May 2020 #9
After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING Omaha Steve May 2020 #10

elleng

(130,126 posts)
1. Good. Hope this message spreads throughout PA,
Sun May 24, 2020, 11:07 PM
May 2020

and MI, and WI, etc. etc. etc.

roamer65

(36,739 posts)
2. A true follower of Jesus.
Sun May 24, 2020, 11:19 PM
May 2020

Initech

(99,909 posts)
3. Anytime Trump proposes something stupid, we should ask "What could go wrong?".
Sun May 24, 2020, 11:22 PM
May 2020

StarryNite

(9,363 posts)
4. Political pandering is exactly what it is.
Sun May 24, 2020, 11:55 PM
May 2020

Any deaths that are the result of contracting the Covid-19 in one of those right wing churches will just collateral damage as a result of the political pandering.

 

Jeorge IX

(69 posts)
5. A Sensible Christian?
Mon May 25, 2020, 04:38 AM
May 2020

duforsure

(11,882 posts)
6. If my pastor didn't reject trumps demands
Mon May 25, 2020, 04:59 AM
May 2020

I would think about stopping going to that church. I already have heard that happening, and its a lot more of a problem losing people to the virus than to becoming a political pawn for trump to play. trumps just using this to divide people with, and he could care less about religion, its all about dividing them up. Wonder what his threats will include to those that won't reopen while a deadly pandemic is still very active, taking away their tax exemptions. He always plans ways he can hurt those that refuse his demands. This has nothing to do with religion, its all about you worshiping him ,or else.

ck4829

(34,971 posts)
7. K&R
Mon May 25, 2020, 09:41 AM
May 2020

Grammy23

(5,807 posts)
8. Since when did not holding church services prevent anyone from praying??
Mon May 25, 2020, 01:35 PM
May 2020

Not that we’d expect Numbnuts to know anything about prayer. But anyone with even a passing glance at the religious groups most prominent in America would know that prayers are uttered all over the land — in church or not. So urging people to assemble in their houses of worship against the advice of our medical experts is playing Russian roulette. All so they can do more praying? Uhm, no. They can just as easily do that at home, in their yard or on the porch. And many do. And they are not putting their lives and the lives of their fellow congregants at risk.

LiberalLovinLug

(14,153 posts)
9. Smoking pot is the same as gathering close in large groups?
Mon May 25, 2020, 05:41 PM
May 2020
Religious proponents of reopening argue that if marijuana is considered "essential" in some areas, so should religious gatherings.

I doubt any pot smokers in Philly would even pass around a joint in these times let alone gather in large groups. I'm sure even 4/20 celebrations were cancelled like everywhere else.

But Trump cultists can use alt facts, and illogical comparisons at random now to make any "point".

Omaha Steve

(99,059 posts)
10. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING
Mon May 25, 2020, 09:18 PM
May 2020

NOT important news of national interest.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Philadelphia Pastor Warns...