Posted on 08/21/2020 1:56:46 PM PDT by Former MSM Viewer
My wife & I went to Mass yesterday for the first time in over a month of the churches being shut down. While it was joyful to be back in church, I was initially angry at the procedures and spacing. I noted the bleached out backs and sides of the pews from the repeated wiping. It was distressing to see our priest speaking the word of God through a mask. It was like nothing I have ever seen when he squirted his hands with sanitizer before offering us the Host. Then I thought of Christians around the world, in Iraq, Egypt, Poland, former Soviet Union, many places that endured extreme persecution over the centuries. This current disturbance in the force of Christianity pales in comparison to those. This is not historically even on the scale.
The Bill of Rights is the Founder's attempt at limiting governmental power over its citizens. I am reminded that our cherished Freedom of Religion is enshrined as the number one right they wanted to protect. Guns, free speech, right to a jury trial are vitally important, but in their wisdom, they placed Freedom of Religion above all else.
Even though there have been a few pastors, priests & ministers detained, warned, even arrested, this is nothing when compared to historical events. Currently, it is necessary to exercise caution when in gatherings. We should all be mindful of this virus. But let's also be careful of the virus of ever encroaching governments around the world & over the millennia.
American history tells of a brutal response to oppressive British officials during the time leading up to the (first) American Revolution. Patriots would tar & feather the offending British official. Our Patriots did not tolerate their God given rights being trampled on. Applying hot tar to someone caused severe burns and even death. The objective was to punish & cause public shame upon the offender. Molasses & feathers would have accomplished the same objective, but it's doubtful the early Patriots thought mercifully of the British. Today’s world does not include such responses, but the thin veil of civility can be easily blown away by injustice. Let’s seek to eradicate this virus without bankrupting families, businesses, churches and municipalities. Let us not kill the patient with overreaching requirements dictated by overzealous bureaucrats and politicians.
About sixty years ago I went to Mass with my cousin Dominic. Dominic always wanted to help out at Mass. When we got to the church, the parishioners who live close to the church were there. Those who lived farther out were unable to make it to Mass.
Dominic finally got his wish. Father asked him to take up the collection. Dominic was overjoyed and he asked Father when to take up the collection. Father said, “Dominic, I will give you the signal.”
Father began Mass. Every time Father turned aroung, Dominic sprang into action. After Mass, Father wanted to know why Dominic took up so many collections. Dominic responded, “Father, you gave me the sign!” Father was perplexed. Dominic added, “Well, Father, you said, ‘Dominic go frisk ‘em!’”
By all means Okeydoker..... no one is telling you to leave your home.
And therefore no one should tell Pastor John MacArthur he can’t open the doors of his church......which he has.....and the folks who enter do so of their own free will.
So you were offended when the priest used hand sanitizer before administering the sacrament? You were upset that you couldn’t crowd up to other worshipers? You concentrated on what the priest had on his face rather than what he was saying? The church had been meeting long enough for the pews to be damaged, but you are only now getting around to showing back up?
My suggestion is that you not waste your time going forward. It doesn’t appear that you are getting any benefit from the exercise.
Rational people take reasonable precautions to avoid contagious diseases.
I hardly consider that “cowering in fear”.
I leave my home every day.
I do not normally go to crowded venues. I do not believe in tempting fate.
I have nothing to prove so I do not feel the need to be defiant of health protocols, regardless of how ineffective they might be.
Other people depend on me to be around so I think of them before I do risky activities that might impact others.
The key word is “reasonable.” Reasonable measures ended after fifteen days to flatten the curve. It’s been lunacy ever since.
Such a snarky unwarranted thing to say.
Wow. We’re so lucky you’re here.
****Other people depend on me to be around so I think of them before I do risky activities that might impact others.****
You are a self righteous pr!ck. You have no care for others who have lost jobs and livelihoods.
Do you feel better now?
I know you don’t.
Now that we have obediently agreed to their demand to wear this filthy mask indefinitely, what is the next demand they will make on us so that we may be able to live our lives?
BTW, what is it with the “feelings” crap. Are you led around like a dog on a leash by your “feelings”? Go ahead SJW, describe to me how compassionate you are while millions of people have lost their jobs. Go ahead.
Somehow my military and law enforcement experience doesn’t relate well to your fanciful description. Perhaps you should just stick to actual facts since you obviously have no talent for accurate guessing.
FFS, you are not being “persecuted.”
WE bailed from our synagogue after the rabbi started cursing Trump.
Yea right. You are a poser.
Do you care about the people who have lost the ability to feed their kids?
I am sorry that your church has reopened this way.
In Arizona, churches were shut down for about 5 weeks at the beginning of this nonsense. When we were allowed to gather again, only about half showed up, but those who did wore no masks, gave usual hugs, usual communion, and all of us were shocked and disappointed that people were being controlled by fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear...
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