A Louisiana preacher insists on still holding services despite his state being a coronavirus hotspot and orders aimed at curbing the deadl...
A Louisiana preacher insists on still holding services despite his state being a coronavirus hotspot and orders aimed at curbing the deadly outbreak because his congregants are ready to die for their faith.
The Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central City already faces six misdemeanor charges after he held Palm Sunday services last weekend that attracted hundreds to his church, including many who came in 26 packed buses.
Spell was unapologetic when asked in an interview if he thought he would have blood on his hands if one of his congregants becomes infected and dies.
'Like any revolutionary, or like any zealot, or like any pure religious person, death looks to them like a welcome friend. ' he says. 'True Christians do not mind dying. They fear living in fear.'
The Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central City insists on still holding services despite his state being a coronavirus hotspot and orders aimed at curbing the deadly outbreak because his congregants are ready to die for their faith
Spell already faces six misdemeanor charges after he held Palm Sunday services last weekend in defiance of his state's coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings
Spell's services on Palm Sunday attracted hundreds to his church, including many who came in 26 packed buses. Congregants are pictured entering the church for the services last weekend
Speaking to TMZ, Spell argued that Louisiana residents had been locked in their homes 'like prisoners' because of the state's initial March 23rd order to stay at home because of the outbreak, and that virtual services were no substitute for worshiping in-person.
His parish 15 miles north of Baton Rouge boasts a membership of more than 1,000.
The pastor's defiance comes as Louisiana remains one of the nation's hotspots for the deadly flu-like virus, also known as COVID-19.
Louisiana became a hotspot, say experts, after Mardi Gras on February 25th attracted 1.4 million revelers to New Orleans.
Gov. John Bel Edwards responded almost a month later with a statewide 'stay-at-home' order for all residents, designed to help curb the spread of the outbreak.
Church assemblies are not included in the state's list of essential services and are prohibited.
So far, there have been more than 17,000 confirmed cases in Louisiana of the coronavirus, which has been blamed for more than 650 deaths in the state.
Across the country, there have been more than 435,500 confirmed cases and 14,831 deaths.
There have been more than 435,500 confirmed cases in the US of the coronavirus, which has been blamed for 14,831 deaths
How the number of coronavirus cases has escalated in the U.S. over time
How the number of coronavirus infections has escalated over time
A day-to-day look at the number of deaths in the U.S. blamed on the coronavirus
As President Donald Trump's administration sent 200 ventilators to Louisiana on Palm Sunday, Spell held services and told Reuters, 'We're defying the rules because the commandment of God is to spread the Gospel.'
Spell, who previously has said he's a victim of religious persecution, alluded to stay-at-home orders as 'tyranny' and 'prison' in his TMZ interview Wednesday.
Spell, who previously has said he's a victim of religious persecution, alluded to stay-at-home orders as 'tyranny' and 'prison'. He is pictured speaking to the media last month
He flatly turned down an interviewer's suggestion to try the Zoom app, which would broadcast services to people online.
Those who already have died, he says, 'They died like free people, fighting for their convictions.'
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