Philadelphia Pastor Warns Congregation Trump's Push for Churches to Reopen Is 'Political Pandering'
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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)
elleng
(130,126 posts)and MI, and WI, etc. etc. etc.
roamer65
(36,739 posts)Initech
(99,909 posts)StarryNite
(9,363 posts)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)duforsure
(11,882 posts)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.
Grammy23
(5,807 posts)Not that wed 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)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)NOT important news of national interest.