God is everywhere but some people need to be in a space of calm and peace with likeminded individuals to gather strength from the community or the “leader” (priest, rabbi, guru). I’m the yoga studio poster. I can do a zoom class every day if I want but I don’t get the same sense of energy and peace and motivation that I get at me studio being led by a teacher and feeling the energy of those around me. I’m sure there is a political bent to all this but as a non-political person I’m just looking at this from a spitritual perspective and believe that there are good people out there who really just want to go to their church.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same reason I want my yoga studio to reopen. That’s my church. People need their places of peace and sanctuary. Especially during these times. I think it’s reasonable if they can operate at minimum capacity and adhere to other guidelines to keep people as safe as possible.

This. People want their sense of community back in whatever form that might be. They also want to give the smug liberals who are bankrupting families and businesses the middle finger. Just like how democrats couldn’t see Hillary losing, I think they are blind to how this will all play out.

Boy, do I feel stupid. I always though churches were about expressing a belief in the teachings of Christ and finding fellowship among fellow believers.

I am a former liberal-democrat-evangelical, currently of no faith.
Most of my old friends are not pushing for church to open. But, I do know that for most of them, when they do reopen, it'll be because they really enjoy being together. They love their god. They love each other. It's like family. But, most of them understand the need to stay shut down. They are, however, continuing to run the food pantry. I personally couldn't keep believing in any god or group that felt that being gay was a choice or that it was sin or that gays should be celibate. Or any of the rest of it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same reason I want my yoga studio to reopen. That’s my church. People need their places of peace and sanctuary. Especially during these times. I think it’s reasonable if they can operate at minimum capacity and adhere to other guidelines to keep people as safe as possible.

This. People want their sense of community back in whatever form that might be. They also want to give the smug liberals who are bankrupting families and businesses the middle finger. Just like how democrats couldn’t see Hillary losing, I think they are blind to how this will all play out.

OK Trumper.

One Hiliary is not and has not been President. Stop parroting ultra conservative garbage.

This is not on liberals it's on Republicans and ultra conservatives that support our idiot president. Who created a mess and still has no plan.

No "liberal" actually wants the economy shut down. No "liberal" wants stay at home orders.

Protesting with long guns and rocket launchers, yet complaining about a guy on his knee. Ridiculous! By the way mostly old white guys, who also want women barefoot and pregnant. A few women protesters who are also brainless.

Everyone on both sides wants the country to open. It's Trump's idiot base causing the issues.

Please please explain why in the world Churches need to open when GOD is "everywhere"???? It's about money for those churches and Trump's morons.

No one wants this on either side. And if you think so you are a complete idiot as well.

Anonymous wrote:The same reason I want my yoga studio to reopen. That’s my church. People need their places of peace and sanctuary. Especially during these times. I think it’s reasonable if they can operate at minimum capacity and adhere to other guidelines to keep people as safe as possible.

This. People want their sense of community back in whatever form that might be. They also want to give the smug liberals who are bankrupting families and businesses the middle finger. Just like how democrats couldn’t see Hillary losing, I think they are blind to how this will all play out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh yes, WHITE evangelical, correct.

That full merging with the GOP was orchestrated by GOP operatives, notably Paul Weyrich (the guy who planned to redefine abortion, where before him, evangelicals believed life started at first breath.)

I feel about the same about evangelicals of all races tbh. And the Catholics, frankly.

It’s true.

Even the most extreme Jews—Hasidics, for example—tend to be politically conservative. It’s an odd thing, considering American Jews vote overwhelmingly for the Democrats. Something about rigidity and conservatism finding common ground, probably.

- An American Jew who is fairly alienated by most religions

Half of Catholics are democrats too.

Half is much lower than the % among Jews.

The same reason I want my yoga studio to reopen. That’s my church. People need their places of peace and sanctuary. Especially during these times. I think it’s reasonable if they can operate at minimum capacity and adhere to other guidelines to keep people as safe as possible.

Trump is concerned about his stupid base. Period.

Mega Churches losing money concerned about bottom line.

According to these idiots, God is everywhere, yet they have to pray only in a church, give me a break.

Anonymous wrote:We are not opening our building. We believe Trump saw a decline in his religious base and made a statement to boost support.

THIS

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God".

Jesus was too extreme for everybody. If you live in the DC area you’re probably rich and therefore already wrong.

This quote sounds like something Bernie Sanders would say

Um, it's from the bible...

It’s group think dependent on their state’s or larger community’s social and political bent.

It happens for both left and right wing ideas and it takes a strong independent thinker to go against the tide.

I am sure some churchgoers are uncomfortable at their Church reopening. Heck, some pastors as well! But in states where these are open, they’ll be fighting against social perceptions.

It’s tough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh yes, WHITE evangelical, correct.

That full merging with the GOP was orchestrated by GOP operatives, notably Paul Weyrich (the guy who planned to redefine abortion, where before him, evangelicals believed life started at first breath.)

I feel about the same about evangelicals of all races tbh. And the Catholics, frankly.

It’s true.

Even the most extreme Jews—Hasidics, for example—tend to be politically conservative. It’s an odd thing, considering American Jews vote overwhelmingly for the Democrats. Something about rigidity and conservatism finding common ground, probably.

- An American Jew who is fairly alienated by most religions

Half of Catholics are democrats too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christianity—especially Evangelical versions—have gone far beyond what Jesus said.

If Christians stuck to what Jesus said, it would be less alienating.

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”


― Mahatma Gandhi

Precisely. In addition:

“Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.” — John Lennon

I would agree with some of this, but not all. Peter was crucified for his beliefs. That's not "ordinary" IMO.

He means they were stupid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh yes, WHITE evangelical, correct.

That full merging with the GOP was orchestrated by GOP operatives, notably Paul Weyrich (the guy who planned to redefine abortion, where before him, evangelicals believed life started at first breath.)

I feel about the same about evangelicals of all races tbh. And the Catholics, frankly.

It’s true.

Even the most extreme Jews—Hasidics, for example—tend to be politically conservative. It’s an odd thing, considering American Jews vote overwhelmingly for the Democrats. Something about rigidity and conservatism finding common ground, probably.

- An American Jew who is fairly alienated by most religions

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christianity—especially Evangelical versions—have gone far beyond what Jesus said.

If Christians stuck to what Jesus said, it would be less alienating.

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”


― Mahatma Gandhi

Precisely. In addition:

“Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.” — John Lennon

I would agree with some of this, but not all. Peter was crucified for his beliefs. That's not "ordinary" IMO.