'True Christians don't mind dying of COVID-19 if they're infected at church': Louisiana pastor insists on still holding services as he faces charges for already having defied state's ban on public gatherings

UK Daily Mail ^ | April 9, 2020 | Ralph R. Ortega

[C19fan]

A Louisiana preacher insists on still holding services despite his state being a coronavirus hotspot and orders aimed at curbing the deadly outbreak because his congregants are ready to die for their faith. The Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central City already faces six misdemeanor charges after he held Palm Sunday services last weekend that attracted hundreds to his church, including many who came in 26 packed buses. Spell was unapologetic when asked in an interview if he thought he would have blood on his hands if one of his congregants becomes infected and dies. 'Like any revolutionary, or like any zealot, or like any pure religious person, death looks to them like a welcome friend. ' he says. 'True Christians do not mind dying. They fear living in fear.'

[Rebelbase]

“True Christians should pick up snakes and drink poison.”

You have to be careful with that stuff. At our church we never let newcomers handle the snakes.

[Drango]

At my church we help them pluck out an eye or cut off a hand. /s

Matthew 18:8-9

If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to fall into sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.