re: #210 Eclectic Cyborg

They literally sentenced this guy to “Thoughts and Prayers”

That’s still more than the state did.

Via Protestia:

California Megachurch Shuts Down Indoor Service after Accruing over $110,000 in Fines in two Weeks (sixteen hours ago):

North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, California, engaged in a battle of the wills and resources between themselves and the Santa Clara County, has decided to stop hosting “illegal” indoor services after amassing over $110,000 in fines and ultimately being threatened with an injunction - the same sort of injunction for which Pastor John MacArthur at Grace Community Church has defied and is facing further fines and jail time.

The 3000 member church, ordered to pay $112,750 in fines for defying the local public health order over a period of only a few weeks, (such as $52,750 in a nine-day period), took their Wednesday and Sunday evening service outside after being unable to sustain the heavy burden imposed on them, particularly as the fines began to be escalated to $50,000 per WEEK.

(more)

He first argued they had no right to suspend their freedom of assembly, then pleaded with them to relieve the fines, then caved and went to outdoor services with people remaining in their cars.

The $112,750 in tithing money which would have gone to the church will now be sent to the city.