A Mississippi church that dared to defy lockdown orders and hold services was burnt to the ground by arsonists who spray-painted the building with graffiti before torching it.
The fire is still being investigated. However, the fact that someone painted “I Bet you stay home now you hypokrits” right outside makes it clear this wasn’t an accident. Sadly, the building is totaled and there is no way that the church members will be able to use the venue for the foreseeable future.
The First Pentecostal Church in Holly Springs ran into legal troubles in April when about forty members of the congregation gathered for a Bible study and Easter service in defiance of lockdown orders. The police cited the church, which then took action by suing the city.
The church noted that social distancing was practiced inside, and the event could not be held outside due to inclement weather. The church won in court, and was allowed to hold drive-in services. Despite this, some people were clearly unhappy with the outcome of the case and decided to take matters into their own hands.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves expressed his horror at the crime, stating that he was heartbroken and furious over what happened. He then questioned what the pandemic is doing to the nation.
To say the hysteria over the Chinese-born virus has gone too far is an understatement. Sadly, those who oppose religious freedom in the name of “flattening the curve” aren’t just a few, random individuals on the fringes of society. Liberal city mayors and state governors throughout the nation have used COVID-19 as an excuse to target religious institutions. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio recently threatened to arrest religious Jews for gathering for a funeral. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas tried to order churches to keep names and records of all attendees and share this information with the government on demand.
Practicing one’s faith does not make a person a hypocrite, neither does holding small religious gatherings. Sadly, many people either don’t care about the rights of those they disagree with or feel that this is a temporary phase that will pass with time.
Allowing government officials to trample on anyone’s basic rights has set a dangerous precedent. And let’s be clear about this — the animosity directed towards religious Americans will not subside when the virus does. If anything, all the pandemic did for these arsonists was give them an excuse.
I wonder if the push against religion and the 1st Amendment is a “trial balloon” and the real target is the 2nd Amendment? If they get away with the abuse here there will be precedence for shutting down the 2A also.
BWH, this has been going on for years. Like the red flag law. You could be deemed a threat by a cop or anyone in authority just for voicing your opinion in a manner they feel threatened by.you don’t have to raise a hand to them. And you will lose your rights. But, who the hell are they to take our rights a way? If we continue to let them do so. We will or are their slaves. That’s why I encourage everyone to obtain a copy of the: ” CONSTITUTION”, BILL OF RIGHTS” and the “ARTICLE OF CONFEDERATION”. These are the documents these politicians are saying means nothing. But, that’s not so! They want you to believe it in order to take your freedom a way from you. Just like the British did. Until the Revolution of 1700’s. You can get these documents from; Hillsdale college in Michigan. If you get them. Teach it, learn it in order to stay free.. If you don’t! Then don’t complain. It will be no fault of other’s but your own. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Also BWH, they’ve infringed on the RIGHTS of the people for years. By disarming the people through laws that are unconstitutional. They use people’s fears to pass these laws. Look at what these governors have done these pass few months. They’ve become dictators. And some cops have become storm troopers. The people have become weak. And the world is laughing at us. I didn’t put a uniform on to defend our country so it could become a communist country. Nor did those that died in battle. Did they die in vain?
When we stop fighting each and every incidence of our rights being stomped on and ignored is when we lose the “war”
Sure, it disrupts our way of life, our daily routines, affording those nights out to dinner and such – When one realizes these
lowlife “I just hate the way America is” people have nothing so sacred to THEM than as getting away with BULLYING and
causing GOOD AMERICANS to live in fear it seems to make any sacrifice all that much more worth it
The wording and spelling of the graffiti message indicates to me the perps are obamavoters.
I agree this was a hideous act, no excuses. Hopefully, the perpetrators will be found and prosecuted to the full xtent of Mississippi law, after a fair trial before a jury.
That said, freedom of religion is no more absolute than the second amendment, under which semiautomatic weapons are freely traded in, for no good public policy reason, and with multiple horrific results nationwide.
The 50 states have the right to impose reasonable limitations on conduct, including expressions of faith. Requiring wearing of masks (every doctor agrees), safe spacing, and asking the faithful to bring their own holy books to services limited, at the moment, for public health protection is not anti-religion and dos not contradict one’s freedom of religion. Private prayer, Zoom services and amy other novel means of expression of one’s faith is now standard where I pray and justified by the numbers of cases and deaths nationwide and worldwide.
The annual (Zoom) meeting of our membership last night (almost 100 participating) included an explanation of how Governor Cuomo’s limits will be applied upon re-opening our sanctuary this weekend. The most observant members heard and agreed to these fair and protective limitations and will fully support them as well as continue to support the institution faithfully with their individual financial contributions, as best they can (most critical for its survival)
knowing that the restrictions will be gradually loosened when the appropriate time (constantly monitored by lay leadership) comes. This is not religious repression or bullying. We have lost some of our most accomplished and respected members to covid, not all senior citizens only. My wife, a frontline physician at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, has seen so much tragedy at her hospital, as all of you know.
Stay safe and be patient. This too will pass, but only if we are self-disciplined, in the name of the greater good, and in the name of Jesus Christ our lord, Amen.
Respectfully,
FJP
The founding fathers were religious. Many of the first presidents were ministers and had services in the Capitol rotunda. The first amendment enshrines these God given rights and the second amendment provides the teeth to prevent their removal. That is also why this country is a republic. The fathers recognized democracy was the first step to tyranny.
These evil people best know what awaits them. Raise your hands up to heaven and ask GOD’s forgiveness . He will be coming to visit us soon. Spend your time reading the Holy Bible and meditate on the words.
These types have always used tragedy as an excuse to commit horrific acts. After 911 a couple of people who had a history of harassing Native Americans went to a reservation and beat a young woman to death and the Judge idiotically dismissed the charges because he “SYMPATHIZED” with how they felt about the attack when they made the false claim they “thought she was a Muslim” as if one could tell what someones politics or religion is just by how they look.
Many of the politicians in democratic ran states allowed non essentials like cosmetic surgery to stay open while demanding essential businesses like food processing and delivery, self defense supplies etc. be closed. Taking advantage of the emergency to achieve what they have tried and failed repeatedly to do with unconstitutional legislation.
For this reason many of them do not want to return to normal now that its over in most states instead they want to hold on to the dictatorial authority they seized in the name of protecting people against this virus. The truly sad part is we could have avoided the lockdown entirely had quarantines not been VOLUNTARY and travel bans been put in place however because it was Trump that stated they were needed the democrats automatically denied it was needed even went so far as HR2114 in an attempt to stop him from protecting the people of this nation. Now they try to blame him for the delays they caused insisting he did not act fast enough. In many of the democratic controlled states they even interfered with medical treatment because the GO TO treatment for many viruses out of china (it was even referenced in 2002-2009 TV series) was mentioned by Trump so they refused to accept it might help one governor even banning its use. (while stockpiling a personal supply of it for himself)
Call this what it is….a “Hate Crime.”
Some of us know how to protect ourselves and don’t need false security from the government which fucks up everything good in this country by thinking they know what’s best for everyone I don’t know about you but I know what’s best for me not somebody that doesn’t even know I exist the only sacrifice I have to make is to my savior Jesus Christ I hope the lord will have mercy on you all God bless America she needs it more now than ever
Using covid as an excuse to”target religious institutions??” Those guvment officials also “targeted” my gym, as well as local parks and the fabulous restaurants that are (or were) in my area. There’s an exquisite sense of victimhood on the right, and particularly among those of a religious persuasion. You have a right to feel victimized after a church is torched, but please stop whining about sacrifices imposed on you, while the rest of us quietly accept that sacrifice right now is what needs to be done for the greater good. Ever hear of the “social contract?”
Any entity, authority or ideology that fails to recognize the worth, dignity or the rights of man is obsolete. And when churches start hiring armed guards to protect their properties and parishoners, many arsonists will also become obsolete.
Maybe following the investigation of this horrific crime in Mississippi, white folks will be arrested as the accuseds. Would that not be curious?
Yes, maybe now some of the individuals writing in will finally understand what people of color have suffered since the early days of our country. Do not black lives matter? Is this not so clear cut that you need a college degree to understand it? The bystander video showing the moments leading to the arrest of George Floyd show he was NOT resisting arrest.
Wake up and smell the coffee. Like the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Roman Empire and the former Soviet Union, the Third Reich and other empires, the American Empire is falling slowly, decaying under the rot of our would be Emperor and dictator who wants to censor the social media outlet he has adopted as his own, same as he adopted FOX Nooz as his own.
FP