What’s the difference? And how is the church today being led astray?
Apart from the obvious – frogs hop between lily pads, sheep wander between pastures – as to metaphors there’s not a lot of difference.
A frog, so the experiment goes, will jump out of a pot of boiling water but if placed in lukewarm water that is slowly heated to boiling, the frog will be cooked to death.
Sheep, notoriously in need of a shepherd’s care, are susceptible to predators but if the one charged with that responsibility ignores clear warnings that a wolf is prowling about, sheep may unnecessarily die.
Much hue and cry has reached heaven itself to hear those waving the First Amendment flag in protest over restrictions to worship, restrictions handed down by supposed tyrants.
“It is only one step in the process to control,” goes the frog-in-the-kettle argument.
“By putting these restrictions on people, they are testing the waters, so to speak. What they really want to do is dominate us, run our lives. It’s power they want. If we don’t put a stop to it, there will come a time when we can’t stop it.”
The church needs to pick its battles. The pandemic is not one of them.
COVID-19 is a wolf that has slunk past the door of the church.
It is just as plausible to say that these supposed tyrannical public officials have in fact the best interests in mind for the citizens whom they are elected to protect when they issue orders restricting gathering size in houses of worship or anywhere else for that matter.
The First Amendment rights of the congregants are being violated?
No, the congregants are being inconvenienced.
So is the rest of the world.
Church leaders would do well to lead – shepherd even – in this COVID-crisis by protecting their sheep from a known predator that seeks to kill and destroy.
The government, in this case, is not it.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
I agree David, it does appear that the more conservative members don’t care much for science either. Congregants singing, etc. in an enclosed church for an hour or more are at much greater risk of sharing a virus than individuals going into a retail establishment to pick up a few items. The “winners” in that Supreme Court decision selfishly care more about their own beliefs than the safety of the community they live in.
David – I agree 100% on this one.
Mr. Anderson
I read this letter and your past letter “When to say “No”” which also was quite wordy. All good points take little explanation & are to the point. You my friend try too hard and judge too quickly.
David, I disagree with you most of the time. But on this one I 100% agree. Well stated.
My church hasn’t met in person since February and does not plan to do so until it is safe- whenever that may be. Worship is virtual, donations are holding steady and the congregation is growing.
Yes indeed I see DAVID ANDERSON right in the middle of the sheep herd, like all far left Dems.
Today is Monday and you are too late to preach about Sunday, we enjoyed it while you wallowed in depression.
Kellie
Well said David. Jesus broke the rules and cured on the sabbath. We need to protect each other in this pandemic.
“Jesus Christ reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing” he siad. “Be clean!” Instantly he was healed of his leprosy.” Even Jesus cured during a pandemic.
Very good. Thank you for this.