Lieutenant Governor Tells NC Pastors: COVID-19 Limits [Are] Part of Culture War Against Christianity

WRAL.com ^ | 5/15/20 | Travis Fain

[marshmallow]

Raleigh, N.C. — Lt. Gov. Dan Forest told Christian pastors in a video conference Thursday that the political left is using COVID-19 restrictions to hurt the church and that the last chance to fight back is rapidly approaching.

Forest, a Republican running this year for governor, cast stay-at-home restrictions limiting indoor church gatherings in North Carolina as part of a larger, escalating culture war against religious freedom.

"There is no doubt that there are people that are on the left that are using this to pull certain levers to see how far that they can go," Forest said. "How far are they able to push? How long can they keep churches shut down? How long will Christians be silent on this matter before they stand up?"

Forest didn't implicate Gov. Roy Cooper by name during the call, but it's the governor who signed an executive order in North Carolina limiting indoor church services to 10 people or fewer and encouraging outdoor meetings instead.

Some churches have pushed back on that order, filing a lawsuit and holding a rally in downtown Raleigh. Some sheriff's have said they won't enforce the order. Cooper's office suggested earlier this week that they won't need to, telling the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association on Tuesday that, if churches can't meet outdoors or indoors in groups of 10, then the limit on indoor worship wouldn't apply.

[livius]

Thanks for the info! I sure hope the good people of NC sweep him into office this fall!