(Religious Freedom) Now a crime in VA to attend services?

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

I hope the Christians of your state exercise their rights with wisdom.

Perhaps the Christians in your state should do the same.

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

I am unfamiliar with the need for united worship in very large groups that you claim Christians need.

Did I say 'large groups'?

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

Can they practice social distancing when packed together in small spaces as large groups (which is what I assume most church services would look like)?

As much as possible. Usually the size of the building reflects the number of people who attend. Seldom is the building too small nowdays as the number of Christians is getting smaller.

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[columbus]

Perhaps the Christians in your state should do the same.

Good-Ole-Rebel

The ones I know about are exercising wisdom.
Temporary suspension of church services. It's driving my mother-in-law crazy, but she has enough wisdom to know that it's for the best.
At this time. Too bad not all religionists have that much wisdom.
What's wrong with your church?
Tom

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I just learned from watching the T.V. that our Texas Governour has just added religious gatherings as an essential part of our life. Therefore we are free to meet, and worship and of course observe as much as possible the social distancing and cleanliness.

So, the Christian here in Texas can go to Church.

Good-Ole-Rebel

And spread corona amongst each other and those outside your group just like every other group who said **** it amd selfishly did what they want.

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

And spread corona amongst each other and those outside your group just like every other group who said **** it amd selfishly did what they want.

Just like everyone else is doing when they go to the stores, doctors, dentists, or work, etc. etc. etc.

See, even though we are allowed to gather under the Law you still don't want the Christians gathering. The law never had anything to do with it.

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Shadow Wolf]

See, even though we are allowed to gather under the Law

Right niw we are not. That is the whole point. No one is allowed out and to get more than a few people in the same same place unless it's essential for life. Plenty of Christians are doing just fine with skype, disproving your "it's necessary" claims.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Sure you are. You need to pray about it.

Good-Ole-Rebel

That is not very Christian of you.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Perhaps the Christians in your state should do the same.

Good-Ole-Rebel

We always do.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Did I say 'large groups'?

Good-Ole-Rebel

Well, groups of church size then or any size?

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Just like everyone else is doing when they go to the stores, doctors, dentists, or work, etc. etc. etc.

See, even though we are allowed to gather under the Law you still don't want the Christians gathering. The law never had anything to do with it.

Good-Ole-Rebel

It is all about the pandemic. You have heard of that haven't you? Novel viral disease sweeping across the globe with unknown consequences. You may want to see some news.

 

[Tambourine]

Just like everyone else is doing when they go to the stores, doctors, dentists, or work, etc. etc. etc.

See, even though we are allowed to gather under the Law you still don't want the Christians gathering. The law never had anything to do with it.

Good-Ole-Rebel

In my country, people are only allowed to go out by themselves, and for the bare essentials such as work (if it is deemed essential) or to buy groceries.
All gatherings have been banned, and as of next week, we will be required to wear masks when we shop for food.

Christians are not uniquely oppressed in this situation.

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

Right niw we are not. That is the whole point. No one is allowed out and to get more than a few people in the same same place unless it's essential for life. Plenty of Christians are doing just fine with skype, disproving your "it's necessary" claims.

I told you that we are here in Texas. Isn't that good enough for you? Apparently not.

When you say Christian, I don't think you define a Christian as I do. And what is 'fine'? And since you who are a self-proclaimed former Christian, who are you to know what is necessary for the Christian anyway?

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Tambourine]

I told you that we are here in Texas. Isn't that good enough for you? Apparently not.

When you say Christian, I don't think you define a Christian as I do. And what is 'fine'? And since you who are a self-proclaimed former Christian, who are you to know what is necessary for the Christian anyway?

Good-Ole-Rebel

I take it your definition excludes the vast majority of self-defined Christians who don't seem to have an issue with following medical recommendations on how to behave in a global health crisis?

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

That is not very Christian of you.

Just being truthful about what I have observed.

Well, groups of church size then or any size?

It is necessary because it is a Spiritual activity. The Christian is a Spiritual person. The Holy Spirit is present in him and in other believers. The gathering of believers opens the door for the ministry of the Holy Spirit between believers which meets their spiritual needs. It feeds their spirit and addresses any spiritual problems they may be encountering through the various gifts of the Holy Spirit given to each believer.

God has always had unified times of worship for His people expressed in physical gatherings.

It is all about the pandemic. You have heard of that haven't you? Novel viral disease sweeping across the globe with unknown consequences. You may want to see some news.

Yes I am aware of that.

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

In my country, people are only allowed to go out by themselves, and for the bare essentials such as work (if it is deemed essential) or to buy groceries.
All gatherings have been banned, and as of next week, we will be required to wear masks when we shop for food.

Christians are not uniquely oppressed in this situation.

OK. Follow your law as much as you can.

It is lawful for Christians to meet in my State.

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

I take it your definition excludes the vast majority of self-defined Christians who don't seem to have an issue with following medical recommendations on how to behave in a global health crisis?

I am not using the 'global health crisis' to define a Christian. But I am aware of many churches that are 'Christian' in name yet are not Christian. Same with individuals. Thus when a non-believer uses the term 'Christian' to try and prove something to me concerning the Christian faith, it carries little weight with me.

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Tambourine]

OK. Follow your law as much as you can.

It is lawful for Christians to meet in my State.

Good-Ole-Rebel

Which is a serious mistake. The pandemic is already out of control in America. It would do good to go to lengths to mitigate its impact, rather than working to exacerbate its spread.

The virus does not distinguish between believer and unbeliever; both are equally at risk.

EDIT: Note that I do not want to downplay or ignore your suffering. I acknowledge that you have a deep seated spiritual need for communality. But you have to ask yourself the question whether this individual need trumps the very real and present dangers of infection and of spreading a deadly disease. I urge you to consider the moral and medical implications of this.

 

[Good-Ole-Rebel]

Which is a serious mistake. The pandemic is already out of control in America. It would do good to go to lengths to mitigate its impact, rather than working to exacerbate its spread.

The virus does not distinguish between believer and unbeliever; both are equally at risk.

EDIT: Note that I do not want to downplay or ignore your suffering. I acknowledge that you have a deep seated spiritual need for communality. But you have to ask yourself the question whether this individual need trumps the very real and present dangers of infection and of spreading a deadly disease. I urge you to consider the moral and medical implications of this.

Christians who still gather are not working to spread the virus. We are gathering as a body of Christ to worship Him and fellowship with other believers, through which the Holy Spirit ministers to us. Just like you are not trying to spread the virus when you go to your store or wherever.

I don't consider myself as suffering.

Good-Ole-Rebel

 

[Tambourine]

Christians who still gather are not working to spread the virus. We are gathering as a body of Christ to worship Him and fellowship with other believers, through which the Holy Spirit ministers to us. Just like you are not trying to spread the virus when you go to your store or wherever.

I don't consider myself as suffering.

Good-Ole-Rebel

Everyone who is gathering is working to spread the virus. It does not matter if you are Christian or not. That is the reason why most countries in Europe have already banned all gatherings.

I am going to the store to buy groceries because the alternative would be starvation, not because there is no risk of infection.