MEDIA ADVISORY
Wilson Supports Decision of 100 churches to open Sunday and Hold Service in Defiance of Governor’s Stay At Home Order—The Church is Essential to Saving Souls, Everyone Cannot Access Online Services
It’s Time to Reopen
WHO: Humanitarian & Businessman Dr. Willie Wilson, and Pastors
WHAT: Dr. Wilson supports the decision of Pastors to hold service this Sunday, May 17, 2020, for their congregations. In these extraordinary times where people are losing their jobs, and mental illness is on the rise, people look to the church for hope. I stand with these Pastors who have agreed to practice social distancing, provide face masks for their members and hand sanitizer.
WHEN: Thursday , May 14, 2020, 11:00am
WHERE: James R. Thompson Center, State of Illinois Building (Outside), 100 W. Randolph, Chicago, Illinois
WHY: “Governor Pritzker amended his Executive Order to include “free exercise of religion” as an essential activity, allowing gatherings of up to 10 people, the amendment does not go far enough,” said Dr. Wilson
The church is the foundation of our soul, people need hope in these challenging times and the church offers that hope. If big box stores and grocery stores have the right to welcome more than 10 customers, so do churches as they are “essential” for our spiritual well being,” says Dr. Wilson.
“Clearly, safety is a priority and as such churches will follow the social distancing requirements, and require attendees to wear masks and provide hand sanitizer,” Dr. Wilson said.
Dr. Wilson stated: As calls to substance abuse and domestic violence hotlines increase, it is important for the church to provide comfort and care for those who are suffering. In the Book of Hebrews 10:25 we find the following:
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
“The church is a significant part of the solution for COVID-19. Edmund Burke said it best: ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ “I will not stand by while the state limits the number of people who can fellowship in church,” Dr. Wilson said.
“I support the courageous Pastors who have decided that it is time for the church to open its doors to the community,” Dr. Wilson said.
- Wow - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 9:21 pm:
Just the beginning
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 9:27 pm:
=== In the Book of Hebrews 10:25 we find the following:===
In Matthew 18:20… we know.
Shepherds… why do sheep need to put themselves in danger?
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 9:37 pm:
Opening the doors to the community may end up hastening the return, but not in a good way.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 9:47 pm:
===Humanitarian & Businessman Dr. Willie Wilson===
Humanitarian? The dude is saying going to church is more important than dying (banned punctuation).
- Saul Goodman - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 9:48 pm:
I sympathize with wanting to hold services, and I understand the frustrations with a lot of the fine print in the reopening plans. But this is still too soon.
- Frank talks - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 9:52 pm:
Matthew 6: 5-6 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing(B) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,(C) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Just saying
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 10:00 pm:
Really, really callous, but what is expected from someone giving out Rauner’s money in church to buy political support. Wilson’s looking for another 15 minutes of fame, or infamy, by opening the door to economically distressed areas piling onto their health problems, affecting communities who’ve suffered the most.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Evil is protecting people from needless suffering and death, in the middle of a pandemic? This dude clearly doesn’t care about community spread and should look in the mirror before judging anyone’s character.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 10:00 pm:
- Frank talks -
You’re on it.
The Gospel of Matthew talks of worship, and humility and finding worship.
… and the hypocrites.
- Saul Goodman - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 10:17 pm:
I recall a story from the Gospel. I’m quoting from memory here but it goes something like this:
Satan is tempting Jesus, and at one point they go to the top of the Temple, and Satan says Jesus should jump off because “it is written that the angels will bear you up”. But Jesus responds: “It is also written that you should not put God to the test.”
In short, it is one thing to have faith, but that does not mean you can take unnecessary risks and assume that God will bail you out.
- Thoughts matter - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 10:31 pm:
Forgot to put my name in. Let’s try again.
Just read an article where a family went to visit their dying loved one, appropriately covered in PPE. Result- a second loved one dead, and several now sick.
Why would I risk going to church when people who did everything right still got it?
- Bruce (no not him) - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 10:41 pm:
Closer my God to thee. Maybe not in the way they expect.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 10:49 pm:
I think he’s still upset that no one will reimburse him for all of the masks he bought to give away.
- VerySmallRocks - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 11:10 pm:
Hope Mr Wilson brings plenty of that folding money to help pay for hospitalizations and funerals in a week or two.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 11:13 pm:
Just hold services at Walmart or Home Depot to be on the safe side legally.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 11:14 pm:
===Everyone Cannot Access Online Services=== I didn’t realize attending a formal service was the only way to worship.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 11:23 pm:
And what demographic has been hit harder because of health disparities?
Sadly, politicians are focusing more on making a name for themselves by defying tough public health measures than in protecting their communities.
- Lynn S. - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 12:09 am:
I wasn’t aware that the definition of “humanitarian” included exposing your fellow humans to disease and death, but I went to a really crappy high school.
I’d be really curious to get a list of the churches participating in this, and sé how many of them are in areas that have additional Covid-19 risk factors. (i.e., low income; large numbers of African American or Latinx residents; age distributions within communities and churches participating in this stunt; percentage of residents with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or other underlying health conditions.)
- Anannymiss - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 12:16 am:
I’m sure there’s an “Imperial Wizard” somewhere who is cheering Mr. Wilson’s decision on this. I hope people at least wear masks, and that includes the choirs.
- LizPhairTax - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 6:44 am:
Dr. LizPhairTax stated in the Book of Arches 1988 we find the following:
Big Mac,McDLT,a Quarter-Pounder with some cheese,
Filet-O-Fish,a hamburger,a cheeseburger,a Happy Meal.McNuggets,tasty golden french fries, regular or larger size,salads: chef or garden, or a chicken salad oriental.Big Big Breakfast, Egg McMuffin, hot hot cakes, and sausage.
Maybe biscuits, bacon, egg and cheese, a sausage, danish, hash browns too.
Stay home.
- Pundent - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 6:50 am:
I’m sure that got will take care of these worshipers and their families if they become ill or die. But if he doesn’t, the organizers should be willing to accept the criminal and/or civil consequences that go along with organizing these events.
Perhaps the city could require a bond to be posted as collateral. Just in case.
- Opening closed buildings issues - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 7:04 am:
Hope this is being discussed..
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN2261AO
- Huh? - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 7:14 am:
Back on the 1960’s, while visiting my non-religious grandparents, we would regularly watch church services on TV. This was long before the mega “church prosperity evangelists” arrived on the scene.
These “religious leaders” demanding to allow in person services is just another reason why I am an atheist. People who are supposed to be exemplars and preaching the word of god are behaving badly.
- Southsider - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 7:14 am:
Willie has built up his reputation with $100 checks and masks. Why squander it now? Too bad.
- Bruce - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 7:28 am:
If the mayor would give him some attention he wouldn’t need to do this.
- Southern - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 7:41 am:
Unless Pritzker makes some high-profile examples out of violators, the stay-at-home strategy is over. The defiance is spreading almost as fast as the virus.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 7:57 am:
===the stay-at-home strategy is over. The defiance is spreading almost as fast as the virus.===
Meh.
How are ridership numbers on buses, the L, or Metra?
Thanks.
- Pundent - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 8:06 am:
=Unless Pritzker makes some high-profile examples out of violators, the stay-at-home strategy is over. =
Willie Wilson is simply doing what he always does and if he is successful here he will be endangering lives in communities that are already struggling with this disease.
Regulating this on a piecemeal basis was always going to b a challenge. It requires federal leadership. The virus pays no attention to borders. It traveled here from China in January and in a few short months claimed 80K lives. It’s not going to simply avoid church or Madison County. What Wilson and others are doing is showing reckless disregard for human life. Unfortunately locking people up at this point would just create more division. As much as this pains me we may have to allow some of this to occur and then use it as an opportunity to re-educate those that don’t want to believe the science. But as Dr. Fauci said yesterday that will result in the senseless and needless loss of life. It may be inevitable.
- Angry Republican - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 8:22 am:
Didn’t somebody write that the people will decide when the stay at home order is over? We’ll find out on Sunday.
- Former Downstater - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 8:23 am:
==The Church is Essential to Saving Souls, Everyone Cannot Access Online Services==
This isn’t about faith then, it’s about religion. Not a focus on what can be read in the good book, but a focus on what someone says at a specific time in a specific place. Real faith doesn’t require a location.
- Froganon - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 8:24 am:
Will Dr. Willie attend any of these services? It seems only fair that he lead by example. Perhaps he could shower them with donations. Of course, if he donated now, would there be a need to have live services? …just sayin…
- Bruce (no not him) - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 8:27 am:
Nearer my God to thee, not closer. maybe i should attend church more often. My only excuse was it was late.
- Lost highway - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 9:32 am:
Dr. Wilson: as Joe said, Lord, I wannna go to heaven, but I don’t wanna go tonight.
- Shytown - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 10:22 am:
Willie Wilson never lets a crisis go to waste when it comes to self promotion
- JoanP - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 11:06 am:
So while Wilson is suing to have the State pay for masks, he’s also encouraging people to violate the stay-at-home order. Never can tell which side of his mouth he’s talking out of.
Maybe he should listen to the pastors quoted in this Trib article: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-coronavirus-strengthens-black-chicago-churches-faith-20200513-5×4sutlr5bebnhiggkyohklp34-story.html
- RNUG - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 11:07 am:
My question is how will the churches be conducting the services?
In a enclosed place with no distancing? Probably a bad idea; wouldn’t see me there.
In an enclosed place with distancing and marks? Maybe doable, but I would stay home and watch vis electronic media.
Outside in a Drive-In type setting with people staying in cars, masks as appropriate, no sharing, maybe allow collection with baskets on poles? That would seem workable, and probably not a real violation of the current stay at home orders. I’d probably show up … and did last Sunday.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 1:44 pm:
The big question at the end of the day: Is he running for Mayor or Governor next time around…
- God Addict - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 3:28 pm:
So what happened to Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
- AnnieH - Wednesday, May 13, 20 @ 8:26 pm:
Good point about Legionnaires Disease when buildings are re-opened. My husband got it after our cottage had been closed up for just two weeks. Two weeks on a ventilator, 12 weeks of rehab, enough disability remaining that he had to quit working at 54. Scary stuff.