Coronavirus and faith

[Athyrio]

There used to be a “story” making the rounds about a community that was suffering from a drought so the local minister got the congregation to meet to pray for rain but after everyone was assembled the preacher looked over the crowd and told them to go back home because no one brought an umbrella.


https://deadstate.org/christian-mega...&ICID=ref_fark

O, ye of little faith.

[BigFace42]

Well at least they're not putting a bunch of people at risk who if attending are likely to be vulnerable.

Given faith healing is generally touch feely I'm sure they're serving their own interests first. Truly an example of not practicing what you preach.

[Giordano]

Originally Posted by Athyrio

There used to be a “story” making the rounds about a community that was suffering from a drought so the local minister got the congregation to meet to pray for rain but after everyone was assembled the preacher looked over the crowd and told them to go back home because no one brought an umbrella.


https://deadstate.org/christian-mega...&ICID=ref_fark

O, ye of little faith.

Lightening rods on church steeples also indicate a certain lack of faith.

[Darat]

Originally Posted by Giordano

Lightening rods on church steeples also indicate a certain lack of faith.

Remember reading an essay by Issac Asimov about this. Apparently many churches resisted lightning conductors for quite some time, and guess what, often tallest building in area gets struck by lightning! Hard to maintain your faith when god keeps blasting your church but the brothel next door is safe and sound.

[Thermal]

'We are gathered here to pay our last respects to the dearly departed, because your prayers did jack ****'

[Athyrio]

Originally Posted by BigFace42

Well at least they're not putting a bunch of people at risk who if attending are likely to be vulnerable.

Given faith healing is generally touch feely I'm sure they're serving their own interests first. Truly an example of not practicing what you preach.

You know, you’re right. I didn’t even think of the “hands on” aspect when I posted this. I just hope that one of the sects doesn’t convince anyone to take up serpents to combat this most recent pandemic.

[carlitos]

In a logical world, watching churches put away the holy water during a pandemic might reduce religious belief among the congregants.

[SusanB-M1]

Come to think of it, I haven't heard mention of any interviews with heads of religious faiths about the virus and I suppose that is a good thing. I wonder if they have been asked and have managed to bluff their way vaguely through some ridiculous reply. I wonder if any of the multiple religious web sites have any prayer advice for their twitter messages.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Originally Posted by Darat

Remember reading an essay by Issac Asimov about this. Apparently many churches resisted lightning conductors for quite some time, and guess what, often tallest building in area gets struck by lightning! Hard to maintain your faith when god keeps blasting your church but the brothel next door is safe and sound.

And that's why you store the local supply of gunpowder in the church. Because it wil be protected from lightning by God Himself.

(Note. This is a meme I have believed for the longest time but I and too lazy to check right now as it's past bedtime. )

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by SusanB-M1

Come to think of it, I haven't heard mention of any interviews with heads of religious faiths about the virus and I suppose that is a good thing. I wonder if they have been asked and have managed to bluff their way vaguely through some ridiculous reply. I wonder if any of the multiple religious web sites have any prayer advice for their twitter messages.

Yep. Lots of churches have suspended services and are preaching to the flock through the internet.

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020...-religion.html

One of my favourite stories in the humour thread is that faith healing is cancelled. Their god must be pretty useless if it can cure cancer but not a virus. I was reminded of the iron chariots that the god couldn't stop either in the Old Testament.

[novaphile]

Notably the Greek Orthodox church in Australia has declared that the virus cannot be spread by communion, so will continue to dip the same saliva dripping spoon into everyone's mouths:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-...-them/12055476

Quote:

Greek Orthodox churches across the country will allow congregations of hundreds of people to sip wine from the same spoon during mass because "the holy cup cannot carry disease," the Archdiocese said.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by novaphile

Notably the Greek Orthodox church in Australia has declared that the virus cannot be spread by communion, so will continue to dip the same saliva dripping spoon into everyone's mouths:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-...-them/12055476

Outstanding.

The Blood of Christ couldn't have viruses in it.

These people are insane.

[Athyrio]

Well, here’s a nice Christian who wants to share.



https://mobile.twitter.com/TheFTProp...72588835762177

[SusanB-M1]

Originally Posted by novaphile

Notably the Greek Orthodox church in Australia has declared that the virus cannot be spread by communion, so will continue to dip the same saliva dripping spoon into everyone's mouths:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-...-them/12055476

Yuk" That's disgusting!

[Trebuchet]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Outstanding.

The Blood of Christ couldn't have viruses in it.

These people are insane.

From the same article:

Quote:

Victory Life Centre, which is a non-denominational Christian church in Perth founded by Margaret Court, also believes its faith will protect its congregation.

The church issued a statement on its website that said COVID-19 "will not come near our dwelling or our church family".

"We are praying daily for you, knowing that we are all protected by the Blood of Jesus," the statement said.

[shemp]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Outstanding.

The Blood of Christ couldn't have viruses in it.

These people are insane.

Religion is an insanity, it should be classified as such like schizophrenia, paranoia, etc.

[shemp]

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

From the same article:

Well I guess we had all better book our flights to Perth right away, we can get good rates right now!

[gypsyjackson]

In Malaysia, things looked pretty good, as an aggressive contact tracing policy followed by self-isolation seemed to be keeping spread slow paced. Then this:

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/ar...mic-conference

Leading to more than half of cases being linked to this one event:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/74639543.cms

Others decided to get in on the action:

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/met...ch-at-festival

And now we have a truly bizarre situation where a mosque - which wanted to close for cleaning following confirmation one of its followers had tested positive - has been forced to stay open:

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2...closure-notice

[ynot]

Originally Posted by shemp

Religion is an insanity, it should be classified as such like schizophrenia, paranoia, etc.

Religious (god) beliefs are insane beliefs, and those that believe them are insane in that regard and to that degree.

(waits for Arth to arrive with his pedantic, sacred cow mental health term rules)

[Trebuchet]

South Korea's Patient 31.

Refused tests, went to 2-hour church services twice, and out to dinner. 1160 people potentially infected.

And SK is actively tracking this stuff. Here? It's a plot against Trump.

[The Atheist]

I just posted this in the Humour thread, but it's all about faith:

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/natio...cid=spartandhp

I won't even accept the defence that he didn't know he had Covid at the time - he had just returned from USA, where he dined with sick people and the guy he actually wanted to meet up with was too sick to attend and has since died.

I know the bloke involved, and I'm pretty sure his mate had died before he went to church, so it's one where any sane person would keep themselves out of the way and not go slurping a communal cup.

And yes, I did burst out laughing when I saw it.

[Nay_Sayer]

One of the few upshots of this pandemic is the record-setting amount of darwin award winners it will produce.

[The Great Zaganza]

this virus could be very devastating to Islamic countries, where meeting up multiple times a day for prayer might be expected.

[Trebuchet]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

I just posted this in the Humour thread, but it's all about faith:

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/natio...cid=spartandhp

I won't even accept the defence that he didn't know he had Covid at the time - he had just returned from USA, where he dined with sick people and the guy he actually wanted to meet up with was too sick to attend and has since died.

I know the bloke involved, and I'm pretty sure his mate had died before he went to church, so it's one where any sane person would keep themselves out of the way and not go slurping a communal cup.

And yes, I did burst out laughing when I saw it.

From that article:

Quote:

Father Murphy said hand sanitiser was used during the service and that people would not have sipped from the same part of the chalice.

How the heck does that work? Oh, right. It doesn't. Maybe they should give them a straw.

[gypsyjackson]

Originally Posted by The Great Zaganza

this virus could be very devastating to Islamic countries, where meeting up multiple times a day for prayer might be expected.

Second death (of 2 at time of writing) in Malaysia was a 34 year old who attended the Islamic ceremony I mentioned above.

First was a Catholic priest of 60.

However from tomorrow all gatherings including prayers are banned.

[Nay_Sayer]

Originally Posted by gypsyjackson

Second death (of 2 at time of writing) in Malaysia was a 34 year old who attended the Islamic ceremony I mentioned above.

First was a Catholic priest of 60.

However from tomorrow all gatherings including prayers are banned.

I guess their faith only carries them so far before the small portion of their brain responsible for critical thinking takes over for pure survival.

[wasapi]

I have a cousin who LOVES Trump and Melani. She is also a 'born again' and always thanking the lord for Trump.

My only contact with her is rare and limited to some facebook posts. This morning she posted something that I could not ignore - as i usually do. She used bible passages to illustrate her point. She claimed that only sinners, whores, those who have taken the lords name in vain, will come down with the corona virus. She said she has no fear of the disease, because she is certain that being a non sinner, she won't bother protecting herself, because "the lord will always protect" her.

I think I need to scream now.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by wasapi

I have a cousin who LOVES Trump and Melani. She is also a 'born again' and always thanking the lord for Trump.

My only contact with her is rare and limited to some facebook posts. This morning she posted something that I could not ignore - as i usually do. She used bible passages to illustrate her point. She claimed that only sinners, whores, those who have taken the lords name in vain, will come down with the corona virus. She said she has no fear of the disease, because she is certain that being a non sinner, she won't bother protecting herself, because "the lord will always protect" her.

I think I need to scream now.

Another example of selective Christianity. A tenet of that faith is that everyone is a sinner. Being "saved" does not change that.

[dann]

Trump has met with several people and insisted to shake hands with them, and later they turned out to be infected. He, however, wasn't.
In my opinion, this proves either that
a) there is no god,
or that
b) the alleged author of The Art of the Deal has made one with the devil.

[sphenisc]

Originally Posted by dann

Trump has met with several people and insisted to shake hands with them and later they turned out to be infected. He, however, wasn't.
In my opinion, this prove either that
a) there is no god,
or that
b) the alleged author of The Art of the Deal has made one with the devil.

Or c) his hands are too small for a virus to attach to.

[Trebuchet]

Originally Posted by wasapi

I have a cousin who LOVES Trump and Melani. She is also a 'born again' and always thanking the lord for Trump.

My only contact with her is rare and limited to some facebook posts. This morning she posted something that I could not ignore - as i usually do. She used bible passages to illustrate her point. She claimed that only sinners, whores, those who have taken the lords name in vain, will come down with the corona virus. She said she has no fear of the disease, because she is certain that being a non sinner, she won't bother protecting herself, because "the lord will always protect" her.

I think I need to scream now.

Millions of equally faithful people died of the black plague and 1918 Flu. The Lord helps them what help themselves.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

Millions of equally faithful people died of the black plague and 1918 Flu. The Lord helps them what help themselves.

You really don't understand how this works do you? The fact that these people died proves that they weren't Truly Faithful. QED

[Trebuchet]

I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter. What more do you want?

[turingtest]

Originally Posted by SusanB-M1

Come to think of it, I haven't heard mention of any interviews with heads of religious faiths about the virus and I suppose that is a good thing. I wonder if they have been asked and have managed to bluff their way vaguely through some ridiculous reply. I wonder if any of the multiple religious web sites have any prayer advice for their twitter messages.

Paula White's message is "send me money":

Quote:

Paula White, the evangelical pastor and spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, says her ministry is like a hospital and is asking people to send her money as a result.

Except it’s not a real hospital.

“We are a hospital to the sick,” White said over piano music during an online coronavirus prayer session, quickly adding that it’s for “not necessarily the physically sick.”

“We are a hospital for those who are soul-sick, those who are spiritually sick,” she said.

White, who leads Trump’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative, then asked followers for “seed” money. For those who espouse the so-called prosperity gospel, that typically means giving money in the belief that some form of larger prosperity will then be returned to the giver.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter. What more do you want?

[gypsyjackson]

95 Malaysians went to Indonesia, to another international gathering run by the same organisation that ran the one here which caused more than 500 of the 700 cases. Fortunately that wasn't allowed to start, but it seems as if 10,000 people went to Sulawesi and will now return to other parts of Indonesia, or their home countries.

BBC Monitoring also sent me a digest which included the news that because Indonesia is limiting Friday prayers, some groups plan mass prayer sessions to combat the virus. The more people praying together, the better, apparently.

Trying to find a source for that led me to this very similar story about Bangladesh:
https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasi...ks-outcry.html
Between 10k and 25k people praying together to stop the spread.

However in Myanmar, it seems the prayers of Buddhists and Catholics have been answered: https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...leader-suu-kyi

[Pixel42]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51955509

Quote:

Bangladeshi mass prayer meeting criticised

On Wednesday thousands of people gathered in southern Bangladesh to pray for the country to be rid of coronavirus, in a move that has not gone down well with the rest of the country.

The prayer meeting, held in Raipur, saw 10,000 Muslims offering "healing verses" for the country. A local police chief told news agency AFP the organisers had not sought permission from the authorities to hold the event,

Photos and videos of the event, such as the footage below, show people standing and praying shoulder to shoulder in a field. Many Bangladeshis have expressed shock and anger online over the event.

Officially the country has 14 positive cases of the virus but many experts fear that not enough testing has been done and that there are many more undetected cases.

[Thor 2]

Yes well Pixel, if people become infected as a result of attending these prayer meetings, the church leaders have a ready answer: Their faith wasn't strong enough. The line has always worked when faith healers don't come up with the goods.

[Thor 2]

Just went past the Hillsong Church and the carpark was empty. It would seem these Pentecostals don't think their god is going to protect them from coronavirus then. I wonder what's happening in the mega churches elsewhere?

[Meadmaker]

Quote:

White, who leads Trump’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative, then asked followers for “seed” money. For those who espouse the so-called prosperity gospel, that typically means giving money in the belief that some form of larger prosperity will then be returned to the giver.

If you look closely at the results to the giver of giving money to churches, I think the Spiritual Reserve Bank has cut their interest rates to below zero.