Arrest warrant issued for Tampa megachurch pastor who led packed services despite safer-at-home orders

Fox 13 News ^ | March 30, 2020 | Staff

[C19fan]

The pastor of a Tampa megachurch is facing charges after refusing to close its doors despite a "safer at home" order in effect in Hillsborough County, meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. The sheriff of Hillsborough County says one of two Sunday services had up to 500 people in attendance. Sheriff Chad Chronister and State Attorney Andrew Warren on Monday announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne. He faces charges of unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency order.

[C19fan]

On Sunday, Howard-Browne defended his decision to keep the church open in a video posted to his YouTube channel, claiming the building had the technology to eradicate any virus. Yeah right....

[SkyDancer]

Would an imam be threatened with arrest at a mosque gathering?

[mikelets456]

Romans 14 comes to mind——As a Christian, I disagree with what he did. God wants us to draw close to him——we can spend a month away from a Church.

[madison10]

Giant virus incubator which gives Christians a bad name with its use. Another one for the Idiot List.

[exnavy]

The right of the people to assemble shall be infringed....

[mikelets456]

Would an imam be threatened with arrest at a mosque gathering?
__________________________________________________

Probably not——but I don’t believe he did the Biblical “thing” (Romans 14) unless directed by God——but I doubt it.

[Vendome]

[StolarStorm]

Terrible idea, but isn’t this protected EXPLICITLY in the constitution?

[Buckeye McFrog]

Someone is jonesing for a First Amendment smackdown.

SHALL....MAKE.....NO.....LAW!!!

[Bratch]

It's not just Florida.

---

New York Mayor Bill deBlasio Announces Immediate Government Suspension of First Amendment…

Posted on March 29, 2020 by sundance

New York Mayor Bill deBlasio is officially attempting to establish himself as the United States first totalitarian dictator by announcing a revocation of all New York City citizen rights under the first amendment.   A stunning move.

“[Government] 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.”

In a stunning announcement Mayor deBlasio threatens that all religious services will be forcibly closed by city authorities “permanently” if they do not comply with the established dictates of city government. WATCH:

Will de Blasio keep people from expressing their freedom of religion?

Let us be clear, the government can request, suggest and recommend that faith-based assemblies suspend their services; and in many cases those churches and religious groups may indeed choose to suspend their services. However, under no circumstance, including: war, famine or virus pandemics that could leave only a hand-full of people alive, can the government force the suspension; or punish those who refuse to comply.

Religious worship, including the assembly therein, is enshrined within the first amendment as it carries the first and ultimate essential service. There is absolutely no situation where that right can be removed.

Obviously de Blasio is surrounded by far-left sycophants and members of the totalitarian state. However, there is no legal adviser who would ever inform an official, any official, that they carry the power to supersede the preeminent constitutional right of their citizens.

Worse still is the use of the word “permanently” when de Blasio announces his unconstitutional suspension of rights. The mayor threatens to permanently close buildings?  What kind of mindset would even fathom forcing the permanent closure of houses of worship because they defy unconstitutional dictates from the state?

This decree by the New York mayor should alarm everyone.

Accept the removal of the primary right of U.S. citizens and there is no longer a country for coronavirus to infect.  This is not a slippery slope; this is akin to voluntarily jumping directly into the abyss….

 

[GulfMan]

Give me a break. That jerk was spreading coronavirus among the congregation. He ought to be arrested

[libertylover]

Perhaps good. Let these unconstitutional “orders” come to a head.

[treetopsandroofs]

He didn’t read the same script Gary Sinise did.

“In July 2017, Howard-Browne was one of 17 evangelical pastors who visited the White House to pray for and lay hands on President Donald Trump.[31] In a video several days later, Howard-Browne stated that “there is a planned attack on our president and that’s all I can tell you about right now; I know what I’m talking about, I’ve spoken to high-ranking people in the government”.[32] Howard-Browne later said that the Secret Service met with him to discover which congressman told him about the plot but he refused to say, citing pastoral privilege.[33] Howard-Browne praised God for giving America a ‘Rambo’.[34]

In March 2016, Howard-Browne wrote a Facebook post titled “Donald Trump Is the New World Order’s Worst Nightmare,” where he detailed his choice to back Trump in the election as a check against a global conspiracy to destroy America.[35]”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Howard-Browne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Sinise

[treetopsandroofs]

Welcome to FR.

[Alberta's Child]

As a Christian, I disagree with what he did.

That's the point. You can disagree all you want. Nobody in attendance at those services was compelled to be there against their will.

In a time of "crisis," the government's first order of business should be to leave people the hell alone to take care of themselves.

[treetopsandroofs]

Great question!!!

Please see post #14.

[coon2000]

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.

[dp0622]

I see your point but regardless, this was a stupid idea.

I’m one of the folks that pounds the overreaction but I believed staying in 3 or 4 weeks to save the elderly and sick and preserve hospital integrity was ok.

ONLY 3 or 4 weeks though.

This was a selfish move because not only the people there would get sick but whomever they brought it home to.

[Alberta's Child]

That jerk was spreading coronavirus among the congregation.

No, he wasn't. People were free to enter and leave as they pleased. If THEY spread any pathogens among themselves, it's their own damn business.