Thursday, August 13, 2020

California megachurch draws thousands at in-person services defying state coronavirus orders

The pastor of a megachurch in Los Angeles defended the church’s decision to allow thousands in for services Sunday, defying California state orders amid the coronavirus outbreak. 
Grace Community Church held in-person services on Sunday, and pastor John MacArthur told CNN that 6,000 or 7,000 people showed up. 
The crowd size defies a state order released at the end of July that limits indoor attendance at a place of worship to 25 percent of a building capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower. 
Asked about his disregard of coronavirus restrictions, MacArthur dismissed the responsibility for him to follow such guidelines. 
“When we look inside of your church, it is indoors, as you said, there’s thousands of people, there is absolutely no social distancing, there [are] no masks. Why not get creative, so you can obey, as you put it ‘god's law,’ but also obey public health regulations?” CNN’s Brianna Keilar asked the pastor
MacArthur responded that the church had been creative, putting a tent up in an overflow area and a screen in the middle of a large patio, but he said both areas filled up and people poured into the worship center. (Read More)