Posted on 03/18/2020 4:35:19 AM PDT by abb
CENTRAL, La. (WAFB) - The pastor of a Louisiana church who says he believes the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is “politically motivated” defied government orders and welcomed hundreds of people into his church service Tuesday evening (March 17).
The gathering directly defied an order by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards that bans groups larger than 50 from gathering at any one time, including in churches. President Donald Trump has recommended no groups larger than 10.
The pastor, Rev. Tony Spell, says police showed up at the church after the service telling him the National Guard would break up any future services with more than 50 people gathered. Spell says 305 people attended the service in the sanctuary Tuesday night.
Numerous churches across the state have canceled services until further notice because of the governor’s proclamation, which he says aims to control the spread of the virus.
Tuesday’s service was held at Life Tabernacle Church in the City of Central, located in East Baton Rouge Parish. Rev. Spell says he does not believe his congregation is at risk of getting COVID-19.
“It’s not a concern,” Spell said of the virus. “The virus, we believe, is politically motivated. We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says.”
East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says those violating the governor’s proclamation could face prosecution as a last resort. Reverend Spell is not concerned with that and boasted he had an even larger crowd this past weekend, days after the governor’s proclamation was issued.
“I had 1,170 in attendance Sunday,” Spell said. “We have 27 buses on Sundays picking up people in a five-parish area,” he said.
Spell says the more than 1,000 people who attended Sunday were in various parts of the church. However, he says a large portion of them were gathered in the main worship area of the church that day.
Gov. Edwards addressed the ban on large gatherings at bars, restaurants, churches, and other places during a news conference Saturday, March 14.
“I'm a person of faith,” the governor said. “I happen to believe very much in the awesome power of prayer. I also believe in science, and the scientists at the CDC say that the measures we are taking will minimize the spread."
U.S. Congressman Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, sent a letter to the governor last week saying he believes the limit on the size of church gatherings is unconstitutional.
“I agree that all our constituents and religious leaders should follow the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC),” Higgins wrote.
“However, the decision to gather should be the choice of the individual or institution and not a mandate by any government entity. The state has no authority to enforce this proclamation nor any ban on worship.”
Moore, when asked about the Tuesday night service at Life Tabernacle, said all people and groups, including churches, should follow the rules. Moore says he does not believe churches are exempt from the proclamation just so long as the proclamation is narrowly tailored and not targeting any particular church.
“This is a very delicate issue and balance between emergency powers, the First Amendment, and religious rights and freedom,” Moore said. “We respect the people’s right to meet and practice their religion, but during these dangerous times, some temporary restrictions will prevail.”
Moore acknowledged those in violation of the proclamation could be prosecuted, but will first be asked by law enforcement to voluntarily comply.
“Hopefully, there will be some alternatives this church can use to ‘congregate’ and pray through other means that comply with the restrictions,” Moore said. “Summonses and prosecution will be the least favorable means to have well intended people comply.”
Former Louisiana state legislator, Woody Jenkins, attended the church service and live-streamed video of it to Facebook. Jenkins, who owns the Central City News newspaper, says he’s a not a member of the church, but supports the congregation’s right to assemble.
“Our attitude is the First Amendment rights rise and fall together: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press,” he said.
Jenkins says another church in Central, Milldale Baptist Church, has a large church service scheduled for Wednesday evening.
A reporter from WAFB was given permission to attend the service Tuesday evening, but remained in the church lobby, shooting video through a window.
The Central Police Department issued the following statement about the service:
"Monday, with the support of President Trump, health officials, and physicians, the governor issued an emergency order banning public or private gatherings with more than 50 people. This order was put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran
The service started with several songs followed by a sermon about not living in fear.
“We want to encourage other religious leaders in churches like us, do not let the fear of persecution of any government official, any dictator law, prevent you from worshiping God, which our First Amendment states you are not allowed to do in any form,” said Spell. “Our church is a hospital where the sick can come and get healing. Cancers are healed here, people are healed of HIV in these services, and we believe that tonight, we’re also going to pass out anointed handkerchiefs to people who may have a fear, who may have a sickness, and we believe that when those anointed handkerchiefs go, that healing virtue is going to go on them as well."
The faithful members of the church say they’re not going anywhere.
“I love Pastor Spell for giving me the Word. I love him for the man he is. He changed me so much. I’m not missing my church because of no coronavirus. I love the Lord and He’s going to take care of us,” said Lillian Alexander, who attends the church often.
I agree very strongly with this pastor. Worship, the formal gathering together of a body of believers is paramount in life. It was mandated in the Ten Commandments and the New Testament church continued it.
Yes, because they are endangering others with their actions, which may include those others DYING. Quarantines work.
“You are not allowed to live your life freely because I might get infected” is one of the most ludicrous things I’ve ever heard. It is completely ass-backwards in a free nation.
“You are not allowed to OWN A GUN because I feel threatened by it.” ... now do you see how ludicrous this is?
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‘Where ever TWO are gathered...’
The only disagreement from me came when I read the curing cancer and HIV part IN HIS CHURCH. At that point I begin to wonder who the Pastor is truly working for. IOW, will non-believers be more inclined or less inclined to seek out Christ after reading that this Pastor says he is curing cancer and HIV at his church.
The stupidity is strong with this one.
Question? What right does a virus have to erase the constitution? Being stupid is not banned by the constitution, otherwise all the dumbocrats would be in prison. If these people want to jeopardize their lives, it’s their prerogative.
People do all sorts of dumba$s things that get them killed and nobody bans them.
You do what’s right for you and let them do what’s right for them. Be very careful about giving up constitutional freedoms, they often do not come back.
Go the NYC and volunteer at the hospital ERs .
That will educate you on the Chinese virus .
And take that con man aka pastor with you .
Is that you, Howard Hughes?
An American has took a step toward sanity
I stay away from sh!t-holes like NYC. I assumed the place was a festering caldron of infectious diseases even BEFORE these hysterics. No thanks.
I really want to see the idiot Governor here try to bust up a church service with the National Guard.
Answer the question ?
Don't dodge with irrational replies .
Hey, Woody Jenkins is in attendance!
That makes sense.
Woody hasn’t been involved in every stupid scandal in
Louisiana, but he has been involved in every scandal
about stupidity.
Nah, I think I’ll go to church instead.
Their blood will be on his hands.
I’m both a gun owner and religious, but I am also a scientist.
This question falls EXACTLY under the “shouting fire in a crowded theatre” exception, only far far worse. The pastor should be arrested for public endangerment, and anyone who attended the service should be quarantined.
Says the guy who has no problem with people dying from this by encouraging its spread.
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