Megachurch congregants are choosing not to listen to social distancing orders and are still gathering in houses of worship on Sunday mornings in Louisiana, Ohio, and Florida. Tony Spell, who pastors the Life Tabernacle Church in Louisiana said, “The virus, we believe, is politically motivated. We hold our religious rights dear and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says.”
Pastor Howard-Browne of The River Church in Tampa, Florida commented during his service on Sunday that “You’re probably going to get infected at some other place, not here.” He commended reports of the virus saying it was less of a concern than the flu.
The 3,500 member Solid Rock Church in Lebanon, Ohio (Touchdown Jesus Church) cited its first amendment right to gather together.
Are these churches acting irresponsibly?