# Omnibus "religious people who think they control the virus" thread. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 29, 2020, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616 "2020-03-29T19:40:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/101 "2020-04-03T20:44:23Z")
No, in a booth. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/102 "2020-04-03T22:48:59Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The Governor of Florida issues a “stay at home” order, [but exempts religious services.](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/florida-governor-religious-services-stay-at-home-order_n_5e860834c5b60bbd7350d1fc) WTF? According to an article I read about a church in Arkansas, it’s to avoid issues with violating the Separation of Church and State. What I don’t get is why the parent organization of said church, the Assemblies of God, hasn’t mandated it. All the AG churches around here are down, including one who initially said they were going to try to stay open. And the number of cases here is still under 5 in a population in the magnitude of 10000. Said church in the above paragraph was also shamed by me on Facebook, for not following the Biblical mandate from God to keep the most vulnerable safe. In a kind way, of course, so they wouldn’t treat me as the devil. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2020, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/103 "2020-04-05T03:08:01Z")
I saw the WBC out picketing today, at one of their original sites, the intersection of 10th and Gage in Topeka. They were strolling up and down with their ugly signs, keeping proper social distancing. Hadn’t seen them in quite a while. I remember back in the mid-90’s a friend of mine and I riled them up at that same location. We walked down the drive that comes closest to that site, where they had their cars parked. I pretended to take picktures of the cars, and my friend pretended to take down the license numbers. We were just playacting, but they saw us and started screaming something incoherent. Good times. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2020, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/104 "2020-04-05T06:54:45Z")
On a related note, I’m noticing a _lot_ of ads for Billy Graham’s outfit at this time. I cannot stand these fuckers in the best of times, but here they are now preying on the desperate and gullible. Like sharks that smell blood in the water. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2020, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/105 "2020-04-05T19:46:10Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > They were strolling up and down with their ugly signs, keeping proper social distancing. So they’re afraid that their god might make a mistake and strike one of them down! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/106 "2020-04-05T20:38:23Z")
[I pray to Joe Pesci…Joe Pesci came through on a couple of things that God was having trouble with.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlzbFxYy08c) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/107 "2020-04-05T20:46:58Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > Lately, people have been hanging red scarves and such at their front doors. Some 21st century blood on the doorpost, I guess. I just finished watching a replay of an old _American Experience_ episode on the Spanish Influenza. One of the women interviewed who was a small child at the time, said that people in her neighborhood (Italian in Philadelphia) put crepe on the front doors: white for children; black for adults; grey for elderly. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/108 "2020-04-06T06:56:57Z")
Let’s, um, pray? that within this coming week these dangerously virulent fundies lose the lickdown sermon for the lockdown one before they become a national fucking threat. Cynical prediction: vermin pastor somewhere will try this shit again in a week, National Guard come in (I mean yeah - no shit - anyone would be evil-stupid enough to pull this shit again _a week later?_ naaaaa) to peacably dissemble proceedings; s.v.p. (said vermin pastor) then clamours for the oh-woe-is-me spotlight which most likely should pluck Tucker Carlson’s impressionable heartstrings, spinning this into yet another dumb shit-show whining about oppression of their _Gaawd_-given liberties. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/109 "2020-04-06T07:28:02Z")
[And here are some whackaloons in my neighborhood.](https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/update-police-ticket-church-leaders-after-they-refuse-to-disperse-sunday-service-of-more-than/article_9d26619f-955b-5a69-b87b-f47d01effb38.html) I don’t think these people are going to stop unless you arrest them - for them, the police showing up is “points” for putting religion over secular authorities. Freedom of religion and assembly does not extend to endangering others, or at least it shouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/110 "2020-04-06T11:59:48Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > We must not forget that, thanks to an … expansive … reading by the Supreme Court, corporations can now covered as “religious people”. So I bring you, for a encore, Hobby Lobby. Thanks to a vision from God that the owners’ wife had, they’re attempting to stay open, coercing workers to report for the apparently “essential” job of being paid like shit for putting your life and the life of everyone you come into contact with on the line for crafts. So what’s Michael’s Arts and Craft Stores excuse? They’re open, at least around here. According to their own issued statements, they ain’t closing either. I don’t blame Hobby Lobby for staying open, if their main competitor is also. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/111 "2020-04-06T12:10:16Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > So what’s Michael’s Arts and Craft Stores excuse? They’re open, at least around here. According to their own issued statements, they ain’t closing either. I don’t blame Hobby Lobby for staying open, if their main competitor is also. WAG-people are crafting to either make a little money or, more likely, as something to do while homebound? ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/112 "2020-04-06T12:22:07Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > So what’s Michael’s Arts and Craft Stores excuse? They’re open, at least around here. According to their own issued statements, they ain’t closing either. I don’t blame Hobby Lobby for staying open, if their main competitor is also. Well, as far as I know Michael’s doesn’t claim a personal relationship with God like Hobby Lobby. So I would expect HL to show more of a love thy neighbor/heal the sick sort of vibe. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/113 "2020-04-06T14:44:21Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > So what’s Michael’s Arts and Craft Stores excuse? They’re open, at least around here. According to their own issued statements, they ain’t closing either. I don’t blame Hobby Lobby for staying open, if their main competitor is also. The Michael’s in my county got a visit from the sheriff who told them to shut down or face legal penalties. So they shut down. Along with Hobby Lobby, JoAnn fabrics, and bunch of other businesses deemed non-essential. It would be nice if government enforcement wasn’t required, but alas it’s seems to be needed. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/114 "2020-04-06T23:36:56Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The Jews in my neighborhood have been worshiping at home on the Sabbath and live-streamed Purim services. Passover will be a lot less elaborate affair than usual - I’m getting the delivery option since I live alone. Even our Hasidics are staying home and self-isolating. [Hasidic Funerals Still Drawing Huge Crowds, As Coronavirus Batters Ultra-Orthodox Neighborhoods](https://gothamist.com/news/hasidic-funerals-crowds-ultra-orthodox-neighborhoods?mc_cid=fe6e516968&mc_eid=d1c191b35c) Maybe the Hasidics and other Ultra-Orthodox are smarter in your neck of the woods, but in my neighboring Brooklyn, the ignorance is still rampant. But hey, at least they won’t have to worry about getting vaccinated (yes, this is the same community that fought tooth and nail against city vaccination requirements, to the point where their religious schools had to be padlocked). ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/115 "2020-04-07T20:11:35Z")
Our nightmare is over, folks. Pat Robertson [has got this handled](https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2020/04/07/pat-robertson-finally-rebuked-covid-19-demanding-no-new-cases-by-easter/). ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/116 "2020-04-08T16:06:43Z")
Howcome he didn’t evoke this power two months ago? Methinks it because it was mainly affecting those heathen Chinese and Iye-talians, not God-fearing Americans. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/117 "2020-04-08T16:14:53Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Leaders of major Orthodox Jewish organizations called on followers to heed social distancing advisories. > > [Others thought God would protect them](https://www.amny.com/brooklyn/despite-coronavirus-jewish-residents-in-brooklyn-choose-to-celebrate-purim-together/). Looks like the photos from that article was taken on Halloween. What’s up with all those Jewish kids dressed up in costumes? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/118 "2020-04-08T16:40:20Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Looks like the photos from that article was taken on Halloween. What’s up with all those Jewish kids dressed up in costumes? > **[Purim | Customs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purim#Customs)** > > It is common to greet one another on Purim in Hebrew with Chag Purim Sameach (חג פורים שמח, in Yiddish with ah freilichin Purim (א פרייליכן פורים) or in Ladino with Purim Allegre. The Hebrew greeting loosely translates to 'Happy Purim Holiday' and the Yiddish and Ladino translate to 'Happy Purim'. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/119 "2020-04-08T17:32:16Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Howcome he didn’t evoke this power two months ago? Methinks it because it was mainly affecting those heathen Chinese and Iye-talians, not God-fearing Americans. Based on his success with hurricanes, Virginia Beach hospitals should be scrounging up all the test kits and ventilators they can find. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616/120 "2020-04-08T17:34:08Z")
Purim is the holiday where God demands that you get wasted. Not just tipsy, but to the point that you can’t read. Let’s take a break from bashing religion for a moment to acknowledge that it isn’t all bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-religious-people-who-think-they-control-the-virus-thread/850616.md?page=7)