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The group leading the charge, Return America, is led by pastors and Christian educators. During the rally on May 14, the group announced that they had filed a lawsuit against Cooper over not allowing indoor assemblies at churches.
Berean Baptist Church, Return America member Ronnie Baity and People's Baptist Church filed the federal lawsuit to block enforcement of rules covering religious services. Those filing the suit say the state's restrictions violate the First Amendment and treat churches differently from retailers.
The legal team involved with the lawsuit is from the Christian Law Association, and the lawyer involved with the suit is also a Baptist pastor, David Gibbs Jr.
During the rally, none of those who spoke were wearing masks, and most of the crowd was standing shoulder to shoulder, even though a Facebook post from Return America on Wednesday encouraged participants to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Eight Republican state House members attended the rally:
Rep. Jerry Carter, R-Rockingham, who also is a Baptist minister
Rep. Steve Jarvis, R-Davidson
Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort
Rep. Jeff McNeely, R-Iredell
Rep. Larry Pittman, R-Cabarrus, who also is a pastor of Ridgecrest Baptist Church and bragged that his church had never closed
Rep. Larry Potts, R-Davidson
Rep. Phil Shepard, R-Onslow, who also is pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell is among a dozen North Carolina sheriffs who signed a May 8 resolution asking the governor to allow citizens to gather in churches to hold worship services.
The North Carolina Council of Churches, which includes 18 different denominations and 6,200 churches statewide, does not support returning to worship yet.
The group leading the charge, Return America, is led by pastors and Christian educators. During the rally on May 14, the group announced that they had filed a lawsuit against Cooper over not allowing indoor assemblies at churches.
Berean Baptist Church, Return America member Ronnie Baity and People's Baptist Church filed the federal lawsuit to block enforcement of rules covering religious services. Those filing the suit say the state's restrictions violate the First Amendment and treat churches differently from retailers.
The legal team involved with the lawsuit is from the Christian Law Association, and the lawyer involved with the suit is also a Baptist pastor, David Gibbs Jr.
During the rally, none of those who spoke were wearing masks, and most of the crowd was standing shoulder to shoulder, even though a Facebook post from Return America on Wednesday encouraged participants to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Eight Republican state House members attended the rally:
Rep. Jerry Carter, R-Rockingham, who also is a Baptist minister
Rep. Steve Jarvis, R-Davidson
Rep. Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort
Rep. Jeff McNeely, R-Iredell
Rep. Larry Pittman, R-Cabarrus, who also is a pastor of Ridgecrest Baptist Church and bragged that his church had never closed
Rep. Larry Potts, R-Davidson
Rep. Phil Shepard, R-Onslow, who also is pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell is among a dozen North Carolina sheriffs who signed a May 8 resolution asking the governor to allow citizens to gather in churches to hold worship services.
The North Carolina Council of Churches, which includes 18 different denominations and 6,200 churches statewide, does not support returning to worship yet.
Wow, it's especially irresponsible of Reps. Carter, Shepard, and especially PIttman (who shows up on all sorts of various undesirable legislation which is another topic) to put their congregations, who skew towards older members with health conditions that put them at greater risks, and the communities they are in, in peril. They could very easily hold services in a way that doesn't put large crowds in a building, sitting close together for an extended time. I think it's unfortunate and recklessly irresponsible that they are willing to put their congregations in harms way by refusing to make adjustments to their worship to keep their congregations safe just to pander to their political bases.
I do think the Governor, who I think is doing an overall very commendable job, needs to be very careful to make sure that his executive orders aren't stricter on one type of assembly than another. I can see the issue that a church would have with allowing certain stores to be open and even at 50% maximum fire code occupancy relatively crowded (such as crafts stores that use the loophole that they can provide material for masks), but yet they can't be open. On the other hand, the format of a church service, where attendees are sitting in one place in close proximity to others indoors for an extended length of time has some of the risky elements that stores don't. I also think that these churches need to be careful about their political activity, since most are not paying taxes and that is one of the requirements to remain tax exempt.
Wow, it's especially irresponsible of Reps. Carter, Shepard, and especially PIttman (who shows up on all sorts of various undesirable legislation which is another topic) to put their congregations, who skew towards older members with health conditions that put them at greater risks, and the communities they are in, in peril. They could very easily hold services in a way that doesn't put large crowds in a building, sitting close together for an extended time......
I know several churches in Onslow County which are doing Internet services. They could also put a loud-speaker out in the parking lot for people who want to stay in their cars.
Phil Shepherd is my House member, and I agree it is irresponsible to put themselves and others at risk.
It seems like the Council of Churches has put compliance and perceived or actual public health benefit above their Constitutional rights. They are welcome to do that, or for that to be their official stance.
Likewise, I doubt restricting religious activity beyond what is allowed any other activity - like commerce being allowed at 50% capacity with 6 ft distancing - can be upheld.
IMO, this is a good time for Christians to display and exemplify patience. Having a protest literally days before we move into Phase 2 and churches re-open seems like it just damages one's witness to non-believers. Next weekend one can most likely go to church again! It is SO close. Have we lost sight as a society of what it means to just wait a few days?
Now is a great time to display:
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." - Romans 8:25
"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." - Proverbs 16:32
"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." - Ecclesiastes 7:9
"A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel." - Proverbs 15:18
Just my 2 cents that showing patience during this time is good.
IMO, this is a good time for Christians to display and exemplify patience. Having a protest literally days before we move into Phase 2 and churches re-open seems like it just damages one's witness to non-believers. Next weekend one can most likely go to church again! It is SO close. Have we lost sight as a society of what it means to just wait a few days?
Now is a great time to display:
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." - Romans 8:25
"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." - Proverbs 16:32
"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." - Ecclesiastes 7:9
"A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel." - Proverbs 15:18
Just my 2 cents that showing patience during this time is good.
I think most churches are doing this and want to protect their congregations while continuing to worship, although the format of that may have to change slightly for the time being in order to keep their church community, and the greater community, safe. As usual, it's the minority that aren't doing this that want to be outspoken about it, which gives churches a bad reputation among some people.
I think most churches are doing this and want to protect their congregations while continuing to worship, although the format of that may have to change slightly for the time being in order to keep their church community, and the greater community, safe. As usual, it's the minority that aren't doing this that want to be outspoken about it, which gives churches a bad reputation among some people.
Agreed
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