To think that closing churches is not the same as closing hospitals?

[bonnecher]

christianconcern.com/comment/closing-the-churches-is-disproportionate-unlawful-and-unconstitutional/

I understand they can be important to some people's mental health, but suggesting its the same as closing hospitals is ridiculous, and insulting to hospital staff who have been working their arses off throughout this pandemic. And yet some idiot taking the Scottish government to court is claiming it is.

Churches aren't closed by law in England but most are shut. We reopen late May

But we are still providing essential support to communities, especially currently, only services are on zoom

@minniemoocher

Churches aren't closed by law in England but most are shut. We reopen late May

But since this article is about Scotland, I don't see how that's relevant.

@minniemoocher

But we are still providing essential support to communities, especially currently, only services are on zoom

Not remotely as essential or hospitals. Or food, since he also compared it to burning crops.

This is CC's MO, bringing cases like this to court.

The State relies on the services the Church and other faith groups provide. There is an element of religious privilege to this article which CC are again known for.

I'm an atheist and I've known about Christian Concern for years, so there is obvious bias.

Christian Concern speak for very few Christians. They're an abhorrent group of people. They like to imagine they're desperately persecuted. Agree churches (and other faith groups) do provide vital services but nothing is stopping them from running their foodbanks and other essential social outreach, providing pastoral care or running worship services using other channels. It takes a special kind of delusion and complete failure of imagination to bring a case like this.

Christian concern are a scummy organisation, and the government are aiming to open places of worship in two weeks anyway so I don't see what taking them to court is going to achieve

CC don't speak for my Christianity, Churches don't trump hospitals at all.

I think you'll find that Christians, overwhelmingly agree with you.

This organisation do not represent 'Christians'.

Wanting churches to be able to open at least for individual private prayer is perfectly laudable. However, support for this is eroded by the comparison with hospitals.

The reason that the comment about England is relevant is that it demonstrates that there are a lot of people who disagree with the people taking the Scottish government to court. The English government has allowed churches to continue holding services, but in fact the majority of churches have made their own decision not to.

There are twenty seven ministers involved in this case. You'd think they'd have something better to do.

Christian Concern speak for very few Christians. They're an abhorrent group of people. They like to imagine they're desperately persecuted.

It's hard to imagine how the state religion can complain of being persecuted.

I'm in Scotland and live opposite a church. They seem to be running some sort of service (or group? don't know what for) in the afternoons a couple days a week. I see them coming outside with masks on but then they congregate maskless on the step outside smoking, chatting, hugging each other and generally completely ignoring social distancing rules.

It really annoys me seeing it everyday, it's right opposite the window where I sit at my desk.

It isn’t the same as closing hospitals, and it’s ridiculous to argue that.

But I’m fine with them taking the government to court over this. People need to be allowed to object and press the government on whether measures like this are lawful and proportionate, even during a pandemic.

One of these places saves lives, makes people well, assist with child birth, vaccinates, repair broken bones, supports MH.....
The other recites fairy tales.

Certainly not comparable

People need to be allowed to object and press the government on whether measures like this are lawful and proportionate

I don't think the government agree with you.

As a Scottish Christian this organisation don't speak for me or any other person of faith I know.
Closing churches is not at all like closing hospitals.

@DGRossetti

People need to be allowed to object and press the government on whether measures like this are lawful and proportionate

I don't think the government agree with you.

Which government?

I think its disgusting to equate the two. During previous lockdown I was mortified to see a friend posting all over Facebook about how churches should be allowed to be open as they are so important and that they could even be the solution to the pandemic as apparently, we just need to pray for this all to be over and God to save us. Sickened. Immediately unfriended.

(obviously #NotAllChristians before someone gets their knickers in a twist)

That website is really representing the views of a very small group of people. Not all Christians for sure.

Closing our church building allowed us to use it to store food for local foodbanks, we've been very grateful for it. I felt, so did many of my church friends, that too name older and vulnerable people would feel 'obligated' to attend Church on Sundays if it was open . It just didn't feel safe and we were very pleased when they closed.

@dootdoot

I'm in Scotland and live opposite a church. They seem to be running some sort of service (or group? don't know what for) in the afternoons a couple days a week. I see them coming outside with masks on but then they congregate maskless on the step outside smoking, chatting, hugging each other and generally completely ignoring social distancing rules.

It really annoys me seeing it everyday, it's right opposite the window where I sit at my desk.

Isn't that illegal?

@Steelix pretty sure it is. I did wonder if it may be some kind of support group meeting, no idea of the legality of that kind of thing but it's the hanging about outside that really bothers me, there's no excuse for that!

I don't know the rules in Scotland, but it could well be a group that uses the building rather than a church group. I know in England there have been exceptions to lockdown rules - support groups (mental health, new parents, etc), foodbanks, etc. All sorts of groups use church buildings - our hall is hired by various local employers for training, for example.

Just seen that an evangelical chuch in motherwell have been holding services. Hopefully they get the bok thrown at them.