Forget the separation of church and state. After “taking a knee” became a hot, controversial topic in the NFL, churches will allegedly be the next battleground starting this weekend.
Religious institutions across the United States reportedly will be injecting politics into their services this Sunday by telling church-goers to kneel during all masses, effectively disrespecting God.
According to a source who saw a friend’s status on Facebook, churches of all denominations nationwide have come together in a show of unity and will tell their members this weekend to kneel at different times throughout their services.
“This weekend they all are planning on telling people to kneel, with most of them doing so several times,” said the source. “My friend’s mom’s sister-in-law’s cousin has worked in the rectory at St. Ampersand for over 20 years, so when he posted the news (on Facebook) I knew, without question, it was true.”
Jack Haas, co-founder and coordinator of the activist organization Aw, What Now?, believes that church is not the time nor the place to bring politics into God’s houses.
According to a status on Facebook, churches of all denominations nationwide will tell their members this weekend to kneel at different times throughout their services.
“Church used to be a place where people of all races, religions and political views could come together. Not anymore. Now you’ll be told to kneel and then have to hear a sermon where they spout their views,” Haas said.
Haas said his organization will be protesting outside churches across the country this weekend to show disapproval for the now overt agenda of religious authorities.
“It’s a shame they (churches) are planning to force their political views onto their congregation and disrespect God like this. People go to church to forget their troubles for a while, for the escapism, and now they want us all to kneel? I know there is a lot of social injustice in the world, but it was nice to be able to go to church without any of this involved. When you start bringing society’s issues into the services you’re just destroying yet another escape for so many.”
Church-goer Faye Kinnitt, who told Neutral Ground News she has not missed a day of church in over 16 years, said if the report is true she may find something else to do on Sundays.
“I hate politics. It’s all over social media and television. I can’t even go out anymore without overhearing people having a heated political discussion. Church used to provide me an escape from all that crap. I’ve already unliked my church’s Facebook page,” Kinnitt said.
As for religious authorities, none seem to be shying away from the looming controversy. When reached for comment, Father Michael Touché of Second The Best New Baptist Church in New Orleans acknowledged he will definitely be asking his congregation to take a knee this Sunday.
“At various times throughout the service, I will tell those in attendance to kneel. It’s a part of the service. I’m not sure why this Sunday would be any different and I’m not quite sure what the controversy is?”
Relayed the response given by Father Touché, Haas said it’s clear that churches no longer respect their congregations.
“Part of the service? Are you kidding me? They’re not even trying to hide it. I just feel it’s disrespectful to the ones who have given so, so much. It’s time we all literally take a stand against this. I may only go to church twice a year, but no one is going to disrespect me, my family, my friends, or my God.”