Mety said:
I just question your #1 though. To me, what you're saying sounds like indoor worship, whether it is at a church building or at your home, is not allowed, but we can do so by calling it a "private small meeting." Am I understanding you correctly? If so, that's doing something secretively. Sure, that's not like a hardcore persecution, but that's limiting us to worship in a hiding manner.
No. The restrictions are as to businesses and entities. The concern is large group meetings and the employees/staff. As there is no longer a "stay at home" order, individuals can move about and meet informally for whatever purpose.
What is not allowed is for churches (and business) to try and circumvent the restriction by shifting the venue. A restaurant cannot start serving people at a different location to circumvent the restriction but there is no restrictions on you have a dinner party. Similarly, a church cannot move service to a private home...pack in 50 people and call it a Bible study but you as a private individual can host and have Bible study.
No one needs to be secretive about having Bible studies...it is viewed no differently than any other private gatherings. Purpose of the gathering is irrelevant.
BTW, the real original point I was making wasn't that church was singled out to be persecuted or limited. Yes, other businesses and entities are getting the same unfair treatment. But for me, it is sad because church is included in that list. Yes, other religions are included also, but the fact is church is included. If that sounds like I'm making church any more special than others, yes, I am making church more special. I believe any Christians should have the same concern over this matter. To be honest, it is not too bad right now. Streaming services are great in a way. But I'm just concerned it may go long term, longer than necessary and will have impact on how Church might have more vulnerability to get limitations and prohibitions later on.
It cannot be "unfair" if it applied uniformly and for a proper purpose. The SC already found that the restrictions imposed by states (including California) to be constitutional. You may not think it to be necessary but others believe it is. So the government has the power to issue such order for the betterment of society and public health.
Think of it this way, if COVID-19 was much more lethal and people were dying on the streets...would you say that the restrictions were improper? Obviously it is a matter of scale but in some ways, we entrust governmental officials to make the decisions for the society as a whole.
This does not mean that government orders in times of crisis are always proper or correct. Executive Order 9066 is a prime example of an incredible abuse of governmental powers. But there is no indication that the COVID-19 restrictions are even close to something like that.
Long term wise...who knows what will happen? What if COVID-19 comes back in the second wave to be significantly more contagious and deadly? What if instead of 180K deaths, we are experiencing 300K or 400K deaths? I think you would need to see what data and science look at that point rather than assuming that someone is out to get Christians.
There was a laxing of restrictions in May but people could not handle it and it lead to a resurgence of case...which led to more restrictions. There is no evil scheme at play...people should have just done better so that the disease can be better controlled.
As I repeatedly stated, equality does not equal persecution.
But for me, it is sad because church is included in that list. Yes, other religions are included also, but the fact is church is included. If that sounds like I'm making church any more special than others, yes, I am making church more special
The church is not more special in this case. The church may be more important to you but it is not to a non-Christian. I am pretty sure that Muslims feel that the closure of their local mosque is important to them.
What is different is that some Christians' belief that they are superior or are above the law and thus attribute evil intent where none exists. What they are doing are hurting other people in society and based upon arrogance and a refusal to understand the realities of the situation. I do not see people of other faith claiming persecution or that the government is attacking their religion.
I will give you an example from South Korea...the country had it pretty well handled but then one church hid the fact that some of its members went to China/Wuhan and that the disease was being spread in church. That led to 5200+ cases of COVID..about a 1/3 of reported cases in SK.
Then SK got the disease back under containment to have another large church refuse to adhere to protocol and lie to its parishioners that they could not get COVID if they went to church. Guess what, the lead pastor tested positive for COVID and there is a resurgence of COVID case...which has led to more shutdowns and damage to businesses and individuals.
Because of those two churches...the entire country of SK has to unnecessarily suffer additional death/disease, multiple shutdown, economic damage, and untold effects. Does that sound like things that Christians should be doing? Does that seem like things that would bring more people to Christ or fewer?
The disease does not care about your religion or your political stance...it does not care about your nationality, heritage, or background. It just wants to spread to the next victim so it can remain in existence. We should all make extra effort to try and stop the situation so that everyone can get back to "normal".
