SWAT Team Arrests Christian Pastor

[steve-in-kville]

Having an unarmed crisis intervention team respond to a mental health emergency rather than the police would be much safer. But I agree with you that the proper legal channels should be followed.

Lancaster City is doing this after some high-profile police shootings. I understand they are hiring a second person now.

[JohnHurt]

It looks like more than just two churches, (Pastor Artur's church and the GraceLife Church) have stood up against this "health" edict in Alberta:

Other churches, including Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary and the Street Church in the city's downtown, have gone the route of GraceLife and actively opposed health restrictions.

Fairview Baptist and its pastor have been issued four tickets for continued violations.

Others have condemned the closure of GraceLife, including the United Conservative MLA for Peace River, Dan Williams.

"We cannot allow churches to be barricaded in our society," he said on Facebook, echoing concerns by others in some of Alberta's faith communities.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ ... -1.5979707

I think it is time to use the rhetoric of the Left:

"My Body, My Choice..."

Or, "What two ore more consenting adults do in private should be their own business..."

Or does that sword only cut one way?

How about "The Separation of Church and State"... that the State should not interfere with the activities of the Church, and vice versa.

I think that is a one way sword too, at least now.

And regardless of what was written in a news article, I find it hard to believe that these same policemen are walking into a Mosque and counting heads, or turbans and burkas, and enforcing a 15% capacity and telling 85% of the people to leave, or else they will put a fence around the Mosque and shut it down.

So here is what the newspaper said, in essence, or "boiled down", to those gullible enough to take them seriously:

Not One Mosque in Edmonton violates the health rules of Alberta because all Muslims hold the health laws of Alberta to be superior to Islam's requirement for Friday Prayers. As a result 85% of the Muslims just stay home on Friday, because the government of Alberta told them to do so. Many times, Muslims find that they must obey the secular government rather than follow the teachings of Mohammed, as following Islam would cause too much strife.

REALLY?
Yeah. That's funny.
What is not "funny" is that you could make that same statement about the Christian churches that limit their attendance because they believe government is superior to Christ, and it would be true. Now that is sad.

And what would happen if they handcuffed a Muslim Iman, and put him down on his knees in the middle of the road, in front of cameras? Ask Charlie Hebdo what would happen. The police do not monitor a Mosque. I would bet the parking lots at the Mosque are full, and would love to see the pictures.

I understand there are several candidates that will be running in the next election in Alberta to get rid of the "authorities" that made up these ridiculous "health" rules. If you have information on the candidates, I am interested.

The "authorities" do things like this to find out the public reaction. If their is no reaction, they will go to the next level. If they are voted out, then their replacements learn a valuable lesson. I hate voting, but voting against someone does make you feel a lot better.

[JohnHurt]

Hebrews 10:(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

[Theophilos]

Just a reminder on the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms:
Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association

Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46)
Obstructing or violence to or arrest of officiating clergyman
176 (1) Every person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction who
(a) by threats or force, unlawfully obstructs or prevents or endeavours to obstruct or prevent an officiant from celebrating a religious or spiritual service or performing any other function in connection with their calling, or
(b) knowing that an officiant is about to perform, is on their way to perform or is returning from the perform­ance of any of the duties or functions mentioned in paragraph (a)
(i) assaults or offers any violence to them, or
(ii) arrests them on a civil process, or under the pretence of executing a civil process.
(2) Every one who wilfully disturbs or interrupts an assemblage of persons met for religious worship or for a moral, social or benevolent purpose is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
(3) Every one who, at or near a meeting referred to in subsection (2), wilfully does anything that disturbs the order or solemnity of the meeting is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

[Wade]

Hebrews 10:(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Thanks for caring about us here in Western Canada John.

I don't agree with Artur's approach at things. But for those who made comments on here calling it political, or about COVID, that mosques are treated equally and other naysayers by people who don't even live here - It makes it hard to connect with those who took such stances and disbelieve truth - I've posted BC government regulations showing the blatant unbalanced approach towards us. If you distrust us, it makes it challenging to relate to trusting you. I'm quite appalled by many I used to look up to.

[temporal1]

Hebrews 10:(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Thanks for caring about us here in Western Canada John.
I don't agree with Artur's approach at things.

But for those who made comments on here calling it political, or about COVID, that mosques are treated equally and other naysayers by people who don't even live here - It makes it hard to connect with those who took such stances and disbelieve truth -

I've posted BC government regulations showing the blatant unbalanced approach towards us.

If you distrust us, it makes it challenging to relate to trusting you. I'm quite appalled by many I used to look up to.

some do really-really trust “sources” they’ve grown to love+trust - more than shared personal experiences, no matter what personal effort was made to communicate honestly. even tho “sources,” charts+graphs, etc., have been proven false or at least biased over+over.

it is puzzling how often it happens.
“not a shadow of doubt” you are exactly wrong - no matter your proximity to any given situation.

[JohnHurt]

Hebrews 10:(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Thanks for caring about us here in Western Canada John.
I don't agree with Artur's approach at things.

Pastor Artur is using the principles of non-violence and non-compliance to bring down a corrupt system that has targeted Christianity. This is the same technique that Martin Luther King used to win Civil Rights in the USA, and Gandhi used to overcome the British occupation of India. To overcome these people, It is very important that you do not comply, that you are not violent, and that you "get back up and do it again" until the "authorities" give up or are voted out.

Here is a good example for us to follow:

Acts 5:(17) Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

(18) And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

(19) But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

(20) Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

(21) And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

(22) But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

(23) Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

(24) Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

(25) Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

(26) Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

(27) And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

(28) Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

(29) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

(30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

(31) Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

(32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

(33) When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

(34) Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

(35) And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

(36) For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

(37) After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

(38) And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

(39) But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

(40) And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

(41) And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

(42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

God will deliver us from the jails of men. And wicked men won't win when they fight against God.

And Christians who are jailed for doing the right thing, they rejoice in prison, just like Paul and Silas.

Remember the Words of Our Lord:

Matthew 10:(16) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

(17) But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

(18) And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

(19) But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

(20) For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

I understand Pastor Artur is a very powerful speaker, and he draws a much larger audience than the dead "milk toast" churches that have lost their salt and deserve the dung hill. Perhaps the Spirit of His Father speaks in him.

And the video of him in handcuffs will be the downfall of his enemies. If he had complied, even a little bit, his enemies would have triumphed. What a powerful testimony! This will be interesting to watch.

Thank you for your comments.
John Hurt

[Ernie]

Hebrews 10:(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Would you say the same thing if it was Ebola we were dealing with? If "no", than we both believe the same thing, we just draw the lines at different places.

[Josh]

Hebrews 10:(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Would you say the same thing if it was Ebola we were dealing with? If "no", than we both believe the same thing, we just draw the lines at different places.

I would not quit going to church for a year because of fear of Ebola. I would recommend a month or two of caution if there we a major outbreak, just like with COVID. My church stopped meeting, and then resumed in accordance with government guidelines.

If, after a year, the government told us we had to wear a rubber suit at all times in church meetings and keep a register of visitors that they could inspect, I would draw the line there.

Likewise, if an experimental vaccine were announced tomorrow for Ebola, I would not go and get it.

[Ernie]

As I've indicated many times before,
In the USA, there are hundreds of options for gathering with believers in-between the two extremes of "going back to normal" vs. "staying at home or wearing hazmat suits".