Atheist Republic News Summary: Pastor Dies After Packed Church Service

1. Virginia pastor who defiantly held packed church service dies of coronavirus
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3139686106118227
Location: Virginia, USA

2. Indian TikTok Star Who Told People to Trust God Over Face Masks Gets COVID-19
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3144933438926827
Location: Sagar District, India

3. Pastor: I Survived a “Demonic” COVID-19 Attack By Holding a “Communion Cracker”
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3145119065574931
Location: Florida, USA

4. 3 California churches sue Gov. Gavin Newsom over orders banning gatherings
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3145283578891813
Location: California, USA

5. After Losing Graduation Prayer Fight, SC District Owes Atheist Group $456,242.01
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3145202428899928
Location: South Carolina, USA

6. Female Police Officer Enforcing Ban On Jummah Prayers Beaten Up By Mob In Karachi
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3139496786137159
Location: Karachi

7. Jim Bakker: Credit Card Companies Won’t Work With Me Because of My Scams
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3145032825583555
Location: USA

8. Thousands were released in Iran, but not atheist prisoner Soheil Arabi
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3146634618756709
Location: Iran

9. Untouchability, even in quarantine
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3139683896118448
Location: India

10. Mormon-owned BYU: Same-sex romantic behavior still banned at
Brigham Young University in Utah
https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/3145175088902662
Location: Utah, USA

1. Bishop Gerald O. Glenn of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church bragged about violating safety precautions that were urging people to stay home due to the coronavirus. He told his congregation to continue coming to church and said he would too unless he was in jailed or in the hospital.  After calling himself “essential” and proclaiming to speak to God, he died due to complications of the coronavirus. His daughters are now asking people to stay home.

2. Samir Khan, a popular TikTok influencer, has tested positive for the coronavirus. He told his followers to trust God over facemasks saying they are just pieces of cloth and can’t prevent COVID-19. He is now in isolation in the hospital.

3. Dr. Candice Smithyman, a writer who obtained her Ph.D from an unaccredited Theological center, has written an article outlining how a communion cracker saved her from the coronavirus. She claims the coronavirus is really a demon and when the demonic virus attacked her in a dream, she was prepared because she went to bed with a cracker in her hand. The “doctor” adds that research suggests rats are connected to demonology and Egyptian gods, so the virus must come from rats.

4. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California issued a stay at home order excluding essential workers. Shopping malls, nonessential stores, and churches were impacted by this order and now three churches have filed federal lawsuits claiming to be essential workers. Harmeet K. Dhillon, chief executive of the Center for American Liberty, said, “If a Californian is able to go to Costco or the local marijuana shop or liquor store and buy goods in a responsible, socially distanced manner, then he or she must be allowed to practice their faith using the same precautions,"

5. The American Humanist Association won a suit against a South Carolina school district which included Christian prayers at their graduation ceremonies. A US District Judge gave the school district 9 specific rules to follow and they seemed unable or unwilling to follow them. Now they have to pay a total of $456,242.01.

6. A group of Muslim men in a mosque violating lockdown orders beat up a female officer that approached to arrest them. The mosque in Orangi has been known for religious extremism and not following orders to stay home to prevent the spread of coronavirus. People are still continuing to worship in large groups.

7. Jim Bakker, a famous televangelist who spent many years in jail for fraud, started pushing a product called, “Silver Solution” in which he claimed would kill the coronavirus in 12 hours. He was sued by the state Attorney General over these allegations, resulting in credit card companies allegedly not giving him payouts from online orders. Bakker is denying having ever suggested that his Silver Solution could cure the virus.

8. Soheil Arabi, an atheist activist arrested in Iran on blasphemy charges, will remain in prison despite 85,000 prisoners being released from prison on temporary leave. Arabi stated, "And I have been imprisoned for telling the truth. Those who had embezzled money were granted prison leave and are now at large. Armed robbers are now at large. What is the danger of a journalist?"

9. Leelawati Devi agreed to cook food for people isolated in a school-turned-quarantine-center. Two of the students stuck in isolation leave twice a day to walk home and eat, then come back to the center for isolation. Why would these students leave if they have a cook working in the center? They say it’s because they won’t eat food prepared by a Dalit. This discrimination is happening all over India. Police were informed about the two students and think maybe it’s not discrimination, it could just be an excuse because they don’t like the flavor of the food.

10. Brigham Young University, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dropped a section from its code of conduct relating to “homosexual feelings” which led to praise from the media and students over the school becoming more progressive. The school released a statement pointing out that there has been a misunderstanding, the official stance of the university still opposes same-sex marriage. Current and former students spoke out in outrage and sadness over the confusion. The church bans other things as well, such as alcohol, beards, and piercings.

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