US Pastor Defies Coronavirus House Arrest And Holds Services
By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – A controversial pastor in the U.S. state of Louisiana held services in his evangelical church Sunday despite house arrest orders for violating social distancing measures linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
A live stream from Life Tabernacle Church in the state capital Baton Rouge showed pastor Tony Spell walking among more than 100 congregants. Most participants were not wearing face masks or kept social distancing rules. “The virus doesn’t have a brain,” Spell told the worshipers. “It doesn’t stop at the door of the White House and come into the door of the church house. The virus doesn’t have a brain, but we can bind fear right now. God gave you an immune system to kill that virus.”
The pastor also said Americans are “like prisoners in their homes.” He claimed that “People are losing their collective minds.” And Spell stressed that “People are bewitched. People are bewildered.” He told his audience: “People are confused. … Come out of your hiding, America.”
The service came just days after he turned himself into police on charges of aggravated assault and improper backing. Authorities say that on April 19, Spell drove a church bus in reverse in the direction of demonstrator Trey Bennett. He had been protesting Spell’s mass gatherings since Easter Sunday. Louisiana has a ban in place on gatherings of more than ten people due to the coronavirus outbreak. Pastor Spell was reportedly released a short time later on a $5,000 bond. Church members in their Sunday best had demanded his release from East Baton Rouge Parish prison.
On Friday, Judge Fred Crifasi of the 19th Judicial District Court asked Spell if he would follow orders forcing all non-essential businesses, including churches, to shut their doors and have limited gatherings. Citing Bible verse 1 Peter 3:14, Spell responded: “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled,” according to District Attorney Hillar Moore III.
After he remained silent when asked for a second time, the judge reportedly ordered his house arrest. On Saturday, video footage showed him playing piano surrounded by family members. A man wearing personal protective equipment had Spell sign paperwork before fitting him for an ankle monitor.
Last month, Spell was also detained and charged with six misdemeanor counts for violating the state’s stay-home order. Speaking to Fox News Channel, the pastor said he was exercising his First Amendment rights and a mandate from Jesus Christ. His attorney, Jeff Wittenbrink, was hospitalized two weeks ago after contracting the virus himself. One parishioner who attended services at the church died from COVID-19, reports said. Reactions have been mixed. While critics have expressed outrage about the ongoing mass services, at least some support the pastor’s stance. Writing on his Facebook website Mary Louise Stoker wrote: “Praying for you brother Spell. It upset me the way you are being treated in your town. Keep preaching Jesus Christ’s word.”
The case has underscored different views among America’s church leaders about social distancing. In Georgia, for instance, several churches are not planning on reopening despite calls from Republican Governor Brian Kemp for institutions in the state to transition out of the coronavirus shutdown. A group of black Baptist pastors expressed their dissatisfaction saying that the governor’s decision to reopen the state would not “dictate our actions.”
“We are urging all Georgians to follow the recommended guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stay home. Practice social distancing, wear masks, and wash your hands frequently,” the group said in published remarks. “Let’s not be hasty and miss the way.”
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