The past several weeks have served to affirm one of my rules: The stupid are like the poor, and they will always be with us.
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Donald Trump seems to think, for instance, that a daily does of disinfectant might be a good way to avoid dying of coronavirus. Since this story has topped the headlines for several days, there is hardly any point linking to it.
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Church receipts are w-a-a-a-y down. This is mostly good news, but it comes with a downside: those pastors smart enough to understand that they’re actually in the entertainment business are ramping-up their theatrics in order to continue attracting morons. Pastor Tony Spell, for instance, has created a narrative that he is a great hero of oppressed Christianity.
A Louisiana pastor is holding services in his church again, defying house arrest orders that followed an assault charge. Tony Spell was charged last week after his decision to hold mass gatherings defied public health orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
A Facebook livestream from Life Tabernacle Church on Sunday showed Spell walking among more than 100 congregants, often repeating the phrase, “I’ve just got to get to Jesus. … Come on America, let’s get back to Jesus.” Nearly all parishioners were not wearing face masks, and social distancing was not being practiced.
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The Southern Baptists are thinking it might be time to sell their Ridgecrest Conference Center.
LifeWay Christian Resources trustees have authorized exploring the sale of Ridgecrest Conference Center and Summer Camps despite the conference center and camps operating at a profit in recent years.
The trustee board’s executive committee presented the recommendation to the full board during a special-called meeting held virtually and in executive session Thursday (April 23). The board unanimously supported LifeWay scheduling exploratory site visits with potential buyers.
“This was a painful decision,” LifeWay CEO Ben Mandrell said. “LifeWay’s leaders have prayed over this decision and looked at multiple options to keep Ridgecrest. The more than 100-year-old conference center has a rich heritage and spiritual legacy for Southern Baptists. However, the decision is a necessary one.”
I have to admit to mixed feelings about this. I can sympathize with those who are puzzled and hurt by the inexorable shrinkage of their denomination; it is doubtless painful for them to sense that, for reasons they can’t understand, their denomination and its influence are in decline.
But, overall, it has to be counted a good thing. Their storyline is false, and has harmed too many people.
The latest from the people we pay to know these things is that the coronavirus pandemic, and “social distancing,” are going to be with us for at least several more months — and the world is going to be radically changed place when it ends.