Posted on 01/21/2021 5:46:49 PM PST by marshmallow
Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order Tuesday stating that churches are strongly discouraged from worshiping in-person. Weddings and funerals should also be “postponed or attended only by close family members.”
Even though Lee states religious services are essential and not banned, he makes it clear that virtual church services are the best option. If a church does decide to hold in-person services, he has created a lengthy and exhaustive list of guidelines for them to follow. While Lee deems church services dangerous, “school sponsored sporting events and activities” are specifically permitted in the order and there is no mention of further governor guidelines for them.
The suggested protocols include everything from suspending after-church gatherings and refreshments to banning church choirs. If a church insists on having music, they are being asked to use soloists or small ensembles of individuals who must stand six feet apart and sing with face coverings.
Catholics and other Christian denominations are being asked to “modify distribution protocols” of communion and “avoid passing a plate or cup.”
Parishioners are told to sit six feet apart, wear face coverings, and not to “hug or shake hands.” Additionally, “older persons… should not gather in person until a later time.”
Church leaders are being encouraged to spread parishioners around church buildings and broadcast the service to different rooms in the building. Pastors and priests are also encouraged to consider inviting to the church “medical professionals to help develop best practices related to the health of your congregation.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
A pandemic is not a reason to suspend out first freedom on which our nation was founded.
China-Commies are real happy dontchaknow.
CCP is asshoe.
another gope who needs to be ignored.
But you see, to a leftist /atheist, religion is like model railroading. It’s ‘something’ you do once a week, you get together with other enthusiasts and do fun stuff, maybe wear a railroad cap. Then you go home.
They cannot conceive of anything that has the calling of a higher power than themselves.
Bill should avoid even walking near a church. A black thundercloud would probably appear over his head, followed by a massive bolt of lightning. Ouch!
God and church should be the first place people and our country turn to. our leaders are so stupid they are trying to minimize Gods influence and it will only hurt themselves and the people they lead, because God is still God and will not be ignored or diminished!
Clear religious discrimination.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely and we have never seen it in this country like we have in these days, these last few months since Mar 13 when the lock downs began.
It was blood in the water to these democrats.
You can count on your Republican governor.
It is a scientific fact that the Covid virus is stronger and more prevalent at a church service than it is at a basketball game. I have every confidence in the extensive research that supports the governor’s scholarly approach to this problem.
(Will someone on Free Republic PLEASE invent a sarcasm font for us to use?)
This will go well...
We need a dedicated team to follow him with cameras, near, far, telephoto, etc. Catch his every move and lets see how this SOB goes about HIS day.
This guy claims to be a ‘Christian’...
his will go over well!
Seems to be the same provisions that were issued last month.
We pretty much ignore it.
I’m definitely going this Sunday just to rub Lee’s nose in it.
Many Tennessee churches are meeting in person with option for virtual, and have social distancing, cleaning after each service, etc.
I’ll be happy to delay my funeral. The rest, not so much...
If they disobey will they be sentenced to the Coliseum?
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