(ETH) – Despite warnings from local and state officials, Solid Rock Church outside of Cincinnati Ohio had been holding its 1,000-strong gatherings in person and reportedly plans on keeping the church open on Palm Sunday. “I think they should obey the laws of the land, like the way the Bible tells us to,” said Sandra, who lives a few miles from the site and asked not to be identified by her last name. Reuters were able independently to corroborate her address and identity. The local mayor and health officials in Ohio have asked Solid Rock to close, so far to no avail.
The report indicated that Solid Rock did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters but in a statement on its website said, in part, that “we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of anyone who comes to Solid Rock Church. We have scaled back our normal services, and there are not large numbers of worshipers in the facility, but we are open and continuing to practice and sustain our faith.”
Millions of American Christians will observe Palm Sunday at home this weekend, as the vast majority of U.S. churches have moved services online to comply with stay-at-home rules. But, like Solid Rock, pockets of churches from Florida to Texas and across to California are keeping their doors open and inviting worshipers to attend services this weekend. “We’re defying the rules because the commandment of God is to spread the Gospel,” Louisiana pastor Tony Spell said in an interview with Reuters. MORE
