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

[McBell]

Uhmnn...the one where the Feds have the right to "take measures to prevent the entry and spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the United States and between states?" The one that gives the Feds the power to detain the passengers and crew of cruise ships?

Odd, I see no mention of churches in there.

oh, do learn to read.

 

[John53]

I wasn't referring to you about martial law. My jab was at the people I see who for one thing call it "Marshall law", which right out of the gate shows they haven't got a clue as to what it is.

Martial law is the state of deploying American military troops on American soil in the event of an extreme situation... foreign invasion, domestic terrorism. The last time martial law was declared was after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Only Congress and/or the President can call for martial law. Moreover, the Posse Comitatus Act severely restricts deploying US military on American soil. If you ever saw the movie White House Down w/ Channing Tatum, it's referred to.

So, all these chuckleheads that shriek that our governor should declare martial law haven't got the slightest idea what they're talking about. A governor can call up the National Guard. But the NG is limited to augmenting and assisting local and state police. They have no actual military power or authority, unless federalized by Congress and/or the President under martial law.The ignorance of their own laws too many American show is both breathtaking and abysmal.

Ok so nothing to do with what we were discussing. At least I know I'm not typing stuff and forgetting it.

Nah, the media have been fueling the frenzy. People are just parroting what they hear and read from others. Seriously, it's like everyone is copy/pasting the same blurbs.

At least we can agree about the media which is why I'm listening to the health care professionals.

That's my jab at the internet (internet + websites = interwebz). The screaming is figurative... people on the interwebz getting their bowels in an uproar.

Perhaps with good reason. I don't want my countries health care system to fail as badly as Italy and Spain. Hopefully the morons running Australia follow the example of countries that have had some success at combating the pandemic but so far they seem to be constantly shutting gates behind bolting horses.

 

[loverofhumanity]

All Church gatherings have been stopped in the UK. Even weddings and baptisms. Our medical specialists can show that be everybody just staying at home we can reduce the speed that this virus will reach its peak, and in that way our medical services will be able to handle the pandemic at every stage. It also gives us a better chance to find a vaccine, and to reach summertime which might make a difference to the virus.

If some household are restaurants then they really ought to close their restaurant services.

The USA does not seem to be 'together' in its determination to cope with this pandemic, which is very sad.

Hi old badger We are in Australia. We are almost on complete lockdown in NSW except for restaurant takeaway which I suspect will stop tonight midnight. I’m on the priority list to have groceries delivered and had a neighbor get plenty of toilet paper for us so we are set. Spoke to my doctor over the phone and had the pharmacy drop the medicine at my front door.

Most taxi services have closed except one. On Monday Telehealth is bulk billed for all.

We are isolated anyway so some things like being able to talk to the dr have improved our situation. We are no worse off than before the virus actually a bit better.

But we are all very concerned and feel very sad for those who have died and lost their jobs. In that respect it’s a nightmare for us all as we don’t like to see anyone suffer.

There are no Baha’i meetings of any sort although there’s the internet and Skype. We are isolated Baha’is anyway and have no other Baha’is here in our area so we just have to cope ourselves the best we can.

 

[oldbadger]

Hi old badger We are in Australia. We are almost on complete lockdown in NSW except for restaurant takeaway which I suspect will stop tonight midnight. I’m on the priority list to have groceries delivered and had a neighbor get plenty of toilet paper for us so we are set. Spoke to my doctor over the phone and had the pharmacy drop the medicine at my front door.

Most taxi services have closed except one. On Monday Telehealth is bulk billed for all.

We are isolated anyway so some things like being able to talk to the dr have improved our situation. We are no worse off than before the virus actually a bit better.

But we are all very concerned and feel very sad for those who have died and lost their jobs. In that respect it’s a nightmare for us all as we don’t like to see anyone suffer.

There are no Baha’i meetings of any sort although there’s the internet and Skype. We are isolated Baha’is anyway and have no other Baha’is here in our area so we just have to cope ourselves the best we can.

You are on the priority list......... are you disabled, or very ill ??

Things are tightening up here in the UK and our police are becoming more involved in lock-down enforcement.

I can go out twice a day, once for cycling exercise and once for essential shopping, but we may be stopped from going out at all.

The Virus is killing younger and fitter folks in Europe, I'm sad to say. 44 doctors have died in Italy..... they couldn't have been that elderly or that poorly. Front line carers and medics really are on a front line.

Good luck with everything and stay well.

 

[loverofhumanity]

You are on the priority list......... are you disabled, or very ill ??

Things are tightening up here in the UK and our police are becoming more involved in lock-down enforcement.

I can go out twice a day, once for cycling exercise and once for essential shopping, but we may be stopped from going out at all.

The Virus is killing younger and fitter folks in Europe, I'm sad to say. 44 doctors have died in Italy..... they couldn't have been that elderly or that poorly. Front line carers and medics really are on a front line.

Good luck with everything and stay well.

Yes I’ve got health issues and belong to the older category but still feel 21 and look young too (says delusional me)

 

[dfnj]

In many states, gathering has been restricted to under 50 ppl because of that virus. However, two news articles have made it to the surface.
The first is that in California, they are apparently turning off power and running water to people who don't close their businesses. What about people whose business is their home? You know, people who run a restaurant and live upstairs?
The second is more relevant to religious freedom. You see, in Virginia, that number got reduced down to about 10 people. Many other states also did this, so fair enough. But many other states like Michigan and Texas admitted that this doesn't apply to religious establishments. This ought to be correct. We have a little thing called separation of church and state, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. This ought to be unconstitutional even if it did prevent disease. Nahhhh, let's walk all over those rights! In Virginia, if 11 people show up to church, all of them are felons and can expect to be jailed or fined $2500!

Virginia governor makes attending church a criminal offense



He says this, but Northam has repeatedly pushed back deadlines, and I imagine he'd like it if churches closed indefinitely. As it stands, many will due to lack of funds. Anyone thinking atheism isn't a religion only has to look at how no such restrictions are made to the ABC store (which pays into his salary, and thus is an "essential business") but seems hellbent to get rid of churches. If that doesn't look like a rival religion, I dunno what does. Also, turns out it's racist. The ones most likely staying open are black Baptist churches (Episcopal and Methodists have all closed). Blackface Northam strikes again!

Yes, maybe some people do need to exercise precaution. But we cannot be allowed to overturn the Bill of Rights (in US) or other civil rights in other countries. Once you lose such freedoms, there is precedent for it, and you have trouble getting them back. We do have the right to assemble. And we do have right to religion. Probably there is an expectation that people will do it using social media, but not everyone is tech savvy.

In the mean time, I'll leave you this video. It's very disturbing, as it shows the unsettling event of the major church handing down edicts to backwoods churches. Will monastic groups be forced to split apart when they have no contact with the outside world and are unlikely to get sick?

Next year this time we will be handing out thousands maybe tens of thousands of Darwin Awards.

 

[oldbadger]

Yes I’ve got health issues and belong to the older category but still feel 21 and look young too (says delusional me)

I always imagined you in your thirties.
I am 71 and don't often feel it.
Although this sickness is not good for those over 70 I am slightly relieved that I am retired and on a pension, which means that we do not have to worry about finance like so many of our friends and neighbours.
The trick seems to be figuring out how to keep busy in lockdown.
I've got loads of hobbies, and will soon start painting the house walls, roof, anything not moving.

It sounds as if you are out in the sticks. Which State are you in? If you are isolated already then surely you are quite safe?

 

[loverofhumanity]

I always imagined you in your thirties.
I am 71 and don't often feel it.
Although this sickness is not good for those over 70 I am slightly relieved that I am retired and on a pension, which means that we do not have to worry about finance like so many of our friends and neighbours.
The trick seems to be figuring out how to keep busy in lockdown.
I've got loads of hobbies, and will soon start painting the house walls, roof, anything not moving.

It sounds as if you are out in the sticks. Which State are you in? If you are isolated already then surely you are quite safe?

Im in NSW country so we aren’t in a big city. Still I heard there are infections here but we get groceries delivered and they look after us old badgers really well.

What does seem odd to me is that they are sacrificing the world economy to keep us safe? Do they love us that much or is there more to it because the younger generation aren’t really threatened? They could lower the pension bill significantly if they just let it kill us all off. In such a self interested world it just seems odd that they’re doing this to protect us. What’s your understanding?

 

[oldbadger]

Im in NSW country so we aren’t in a big city. Still I heard there are infections here but we get groceries delivered and they look after us old badgers really well.

What does seem odd to me is that they are sacrificing the world economy to keep us safe? Do they love us that much or is there more to it because the younger generation aren’t really threatened? They could lower the pension bill significantly if they just let it kill us all off. In such a self interested world it just seems odd that they’re doing this to protect us. What’s your understanding?

I cannot answer that.
But every country has reacted in a similar way, as far as we know, and this must tell us something about basic human nature.

I have thought about this before, when a small vessel at sea has called for help, how a huge bulk carrier might change course to help, and at enormous cost.

That will be something to discuss when this is all over......

 

[loverofhumanity]

I cannot answer that.
But every country has reacted in a similar way, as far as we know, and this must tell us something about basic human nature.

I have thought about this before, when a small vessel at sea has called for help, how a huge bulk carrier might change course to help, and at enormous cost.

That will be something to discuss when this is all over......

It might be confirming that all men are created in the image of God and not sinners from birth and that when our backs are against the wall we are united. Are we witnessing the emergence of the oneness of humanity?

One thing is for sure - the ‘oneness of staying home’ has definitely arrived. Lol.

 

[oldbadger]

It might be confirming that all men are created in the image of God and not sinners from birth and that when our backs are against the wall we are united. Are we witnessing the emergence of the oneness of humanity?

One thing is for sure - the ‘oneness of staying home’ has definitely arrived. Lol.

Oh, I don't think God looks much like us, not even like a lion nor a mouse !!

Altruism could be the answer, and that supports neither Theism, Deism, Agnosticism nor Atheism.

I just don't know right now.......... this might be more clear afterwards... ?

 

[Aupmanyav]

.. the one where the Feds have the right to "take measures to prevent the entry and spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the United States and between states?" The one that gives the Feds the power to detain the passengers and crew of cruise ships?

Odd, I see no mention of churches in there.

That is enough, the Feds will decide. Sure, it gives them all necessary powers. They can detain the passengers and crew of cruise ships within the American waters. Did they have permission to come in, etc.? Here in India the Governments (National and State) decide. No air-travel, no rail or road travel for the present, no schools or office (only government emergency services exempted), no assembly of more than four or five persons, religious services curtailed. This is necessary to fight the Virus. Or you want to give the virus free reins beli8eving that your God will take care of it. How many infections? How many deaths?

 

[cataway]

ah so the government has stepped in and shut down the churches . hummm where did i hear that was going to happen?? my self i am not surprised ,was looking forward to it.

 

[John53]

IWhat does seem odd to me is that they are sacrificing the world economy to keep us safe? Do they love us that much or is there more to it because the younger generation aren’t really threatened? They could lower the pension bill significantly if they just let it kill us all off. In such a self interested world it just seems odd that they’re doing this to protect us. What’s your understanding?

I'd like to think most people are good and decent, probably mixed with fear of the medical system collapsing completely if something drastic isn't done to stop the spread.

 

[John53]

ah so the government has stepped in and shut down the churches .

No, churches are free to operate and many are using televised or live streamed services. What is not permitted is large gatherings of people, the number varies depending on where you live and it applies to most things not just churches.

hummm where did i hear that was going to happen??

Ummm let me guess, was it in some JW propaganda?

my self i am not surprised ,was looking forward to it.

Lucky you. I on the other hand have a little cabin fever and I'm spending way too much time on this forum.

 

[Heyo]

Im in NSW country so we aren’t in a big city. Still I heard there are infections here but we get groceries delivered and they look after us old badgers really well.

What does seem odd to me is that they are sacrificing the world economy to keep us safe? Do they love us that much or is there more to it because the younger generation aren’t really threatened? They could lower the pension bill significantly if they just let it kill us all off. In such a self interested world it just seems odd that they’re doing this to protect us. What’s your understanding?

Pure self interest. One day we will be the old ones and it wouldn't be good if our grand children would find precedent.

 

[cataway]

No, churches are free to operate and many are using televised or live streamed services. What is not permitted is large gatherings of people, the number varies depending on where you live and it applies to most things not just churches.



Ummm let me guess, was it in some JW propaganda?



Lucky you. I on the other hand have a little cabin fever and I'm spending way too much time on this forum.

oh its justa foregleam of whats going to happen. interesting to see how fast the government did shut things down church wise

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Next year this time we will be handing out thousands maybe tens of thousands of Darwin Awards.

I can see the first mass awards for those who still had to go to the bars and church and the panic buyerswho shared the bug.

 

[John53]

oh its justa foregleam of whats going to happen. interesting to see how fast the government did shut things down church wise

The same speed at which they shut down sporting events, concerts and other large gatherings.

 

[columbus]

oh its justa foregleam of whats going to happen. interesting to see how fast the government did shut things down church wise

And how fast Christians screamed about being treated like everyone else.

One might think that they felt entitled to special treatment or something.
Tom