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Alberta Gov’t. Brings Up ‘Risky’ Act of Singing in Church in Trial Against Jailed Pastor
LifeSite News ^ | 5/4/21 | Anthony Murdoch

Posted on 05/06/2021 6:57:07 PM PDT by marshmallow

When Pastor James Coates took the stand, he noted that his church is ‘commanded to sing’ as a primary means in how his congregation worships.

EDMONTON, Alberta, May 4, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) — During the first day of the trial of Canadian Pastor James Coates — who was jailed for over a month for defying lockdown orders — the provincial crown used as evidence against Coates video shot by a health inspector of people engaging in what she called the “risky” act of singing in his church.

The video evidence from December 2020 was presented despite the fact church elders at Coates’ Grace Life Church had warned the health inspector that it is an offense under Canadian law to disrupt a church service.

Section 176(2) of the “Criminal Code of Canada” bans interrupting or disturbing a religious service.

According to Coates’ legal counsel, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), the Crown called its only witness in the first day of his trial, Janine Hanrahan.

The JCCF says she is an “Alberta Health Services (AHS) bureaucrat who inspected the church over many Sundays from November 2020 through to February 2021.”

“Ms Hanrahan stated she went to the church balcony to count how many people were in the sanctuary, and video-recorded church members singing in worship. She further testified that Grace Life Elders told her and the RCMP it is an offence under the Criminal Code to disrupt a church service,” noted the JCCF.

The JCCF said its lawyer Leighton Grey, who represents Coates and Grace Life, cross-examined Hanrahan to ask he why she “took RCMP officers with her to the church.”

“Notes from an RCMP officer indicate that Ms. Hanrahan told police that she feared being harmed by going to the church but admitted on the stand that she did......

(Excerpt) Read more at lifesitenews.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events; Evangelical Christian; Religion & Politics; Worship
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 05/06/2021 6:57:07 PM PDT by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow

Holy crap.

Pardon the pun - it was my initial reaction to gov’t overreach.


2 posted on 05/06/2021 7:03:20 PM PDT by simpson96
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To: marshmallow

Satanic(demon) agent Janine Hanrahan;

the entire evil government of Alberta and of the UnitedStates.


3 posted on 05/06/2021 7:18:50 PM PDT by A strike ( Barr to Gitmo, Fauxi to Florence supermax, Roberts to Terre Haute)
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To: marshmallow

Sounds like Saudi Arabia


4 posted on 05/06/2021 7:19:37 PM PDT by Rocko Jack
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To: marshmallow

The Canucks have gone cuckoo. At least the government has. I thought nation was built on rugged individualism.


5 posted on 05/06/2021 7:30:10 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
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To: marshmallow

Maybe if a peyote ritual was included in the singing there would be no illegality issue.


6 posted on 05/06/2021 7:45:53 PM PDT by chief lee runamok (Anti Socialist Derelict at Large)
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To: marshmallow

Pray for Canada and our USA. Satan has taken control of our government.


7 posted on 05/06/2021 8:09:13 PM PDT by JoJo354 (Trump is still my President)
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To: marshmallow

Could be worse. He could be in China 🇨🇳


8 posted on 05/06/2021 8:11:39 PM PDT by Truthoverpower (Arizona !!!! Now the TRUMP TRAIN is getting back on TRACK ! TRUTH! )
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To: crusty old prospector

And this is the provincial government of Alberta led by “United Conservative Party” Premier Jason Kenney.

Kenney identifying as a “social conservative” to boot.

This is what you get from the people who tell you they are on your side at election time.


9 posted on 05/06/2021 8:57:21 PM PDT by Nextrush (FREEDOM IS EVERYBODYS BUSINESS, REMEMBER PASTOR NIEMOLLER)
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