Posted on 07/12/2020 6:08:29 PM PDT by marshmallow
SACRAMENTO, California Crossroads Community Church Senior Pastor Jim Clark wants to keep his 1,500 parishioners safe during the coronavirus pandemic but hes drawing the line at a new California ban on singing or chanting at religious services.
I said enoughs enough, Clark said. We will be singing and praising the Lord. We dont chant, but if we did chant, wed be chanting too.
The California ban was one of a number of restrictions on indoor businesses and gatherings put in place last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom amid fast-rising virus cases and hospitalizations. Its unclear if any similar prohibition on singing exists in the United States, though there is one in England.
The virus is more easily transmitted indoors and singing releases minuscule droplets that can carry the disease. The ban may well end up in court as there are differing opinions on its legality, with some groups arguing it infringes on religious freedom while others believe its constitutional, especially during a pandemic.
The American Center for Law and Justice, a religious freedom law firm, says it will sue.
We cant stand by and watch as California strips its believers of their God-given right to raise their voices in worship and praise, executive director Jordan Sekulow said on the centers website. The center, which was founded by televangelist Pat Robertson, did not say how quickly it would sue.
Sekulow was a member of Trumps defense team, and his father, Jay Sekulow, the centers chief legal counsel, was one of Trumps lead attorneys during the impeachment trial.
Another conservative-leaning legal group, The Pacific Justice Institute, told faith leaders in a letter that Newsoms guidance is advisory because it does not say it is an order, cites no legal authority, isnt signed by any official and includes no reference to.....
(Excerpt) Read more at cruxnow.com ...
As long as they know the risk involved, go ahead. I wonder if the church is having it’s members sign liability waivers or if it’s assuming full liability for any outbreak.
No one, and I mean no one, is going to tell me I cannot worship the Lord with praise and song. No one.
As i sez - as long as people know the risk, let them.
Amen!!
Question: If you sing with a mask on is that like playing trumpet with a mute? It might be an interesting effect with the right amplification.
Catholics cant sing anyway.
Besides, the govt. has enough on us as individuals, no sense in giving them something else to harass us with.
Ive heard some beautiful voices in some of the parisshes I’ve attended.
Ive heard some beautiful voices in some of the parisshes I’ve attended.
In the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh churhes have signs posted on the doors to the effect of “by voluntarily entering I am acknowledging that I may become ill despite all precautions...”
Not a signed waiver but the 21st century version of “enter at your own risk”.
“Not a signed waiver but the 21st century version of enter at your own risk.”
—
Dunno if that would hold up in court, but at least it’s a warning.
“My wife and I are not going to Mass because we will not sign anything just to enter into the church.”
—
You were asked to sign a waiver or the like?
At most it would slow down a lawsuit by a nonosecond.
How about posting in churches:
II Cor. 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
Christians have nothing to fear, and they don’t need disclaimers and waivers.
Are you in California? Our parish does not have people sign in when they attend mass. We are in the Los Angeles archdiocese.
We chant beautifully.
Yakima diocese
We have a choir director of opera caliber in our church.
Why do you insist on putting ALL Catholics in one category? You know that isn’t true, don’t you?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.