Lock the Doors?

[Zooey]

Twopekinguys—

I did find a little about Grace Church in Chester, and it does look pretty bad. The pastor’s son was convicted about a year ago for murdering his wife and two children. Other people from the area say the church is cultish and greedy , requiring members to show their W2 tax forms, locking the church doors during services, and sometimes insisting that a member wash their car before coming onto the church parking lot. Crazy stuff.

Apparently these people are more interested in control than in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[DaveBj]

In a way I think this thread my be silly in a way.

Perhaps some churches are locking their doors because once in a while you hear of gunmen stepping into a church or synagog and shooting the assmbeled worshipers.

Perhaps some of the churches lock people out, and not in for the safety of the worshippers?

I can understand this, especially if the church is known for having a controversial message. It’s the locking people in that has me concerned.

Yes. It’s to keep all the visitors from bolting when the preacher gets out that bag of rattlesnakes.

:bigyikes:

Bag of rattlesnakes + “Let the Fire Fall” = Tastes like chicken!

 

[Diana_Catherine]

I would hate to have to slap somebody to leave church…

haha

 

[LittleSoldier]

Hmm . . . I wonder what the local fire marshal would have to say about that.

To address the question, no, I’ve never heard of that.

That’s what I wondered, too. I don’t think it’s legal to lock doors to keep people in. And I’m speaking as an deputy health officer who worked for the health department in a county in California. I wouldn’t even let the managers of an apartment complex lock the gates to the pool when that would result in people being unable to leave (their reasons for wanting to do this were weird anyway).

I’ve never heard of it, either. It just feels wrong. I would contact the City Code Enforcement or the Fire Department if I saw that happening here. It might save some lives.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Definitely. But it just says the doors are locked, it doesn’t say that the people are not allowed out. Although I understand that is the intent, I’m sure the locking is within reasonable means. I mean, if you come visit me at my home, I will lock the door when you get it. Am I guilty of false imprisonment? I hope not. I’d let you out whenever you want.

But you’re not in a building with a large number of people and limited egress (I’ve always wanted to use that word! ). I just have a gut feeling that a law is being broken. People panic. What if there was a fire? With people pushing and shoving and all scared, there’s no telling what can happen.

I would report it just to be sure.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Twopekinguys—

I did find a little about Grace Church in Chester, and it does look pretty bad. The pastor’s son was convicted about a year ago for murdering his wife and two children. Other people from the area say the church is cultish and greedy , requiring members to show their W2 tax forms, locking the church doors during services, and sometimes insisting that a member wash their car before coming onto the church parking lot. Crazy stuff.

Well, I think it’s safe to say that I would not be welcome at that church. You should see my car! It’s got mildew growing on it!

Besides, I’d report them to City Code Enforcement or the Fire Department for limiting egress (I’ve now been able to use that word twice!), just to be sure. I was amazed at the things I saw people do when I worked for the Health Department!

 

[Zooey]

Am I the only one struck by the extreme irony of the church calling itself “Grace Church”, & tehn enacting that sort of mindless legalism??

 

[AbideWithMe]

Am I the only one struck by the extreme irony of the church calling itself “Grace Church”, & tehn enacting that sort of mindless legalism??

No, you aren’t the only one. I had the same thought.

 

[SecretGarden]

Up here in Canada, we have a strict law which forbids locking people inside a building. Depending on the area, I can understand how safety is a concern therefore it is sometimes necessary to have a door that locks once you get inside. There is always either someone by the door to unlock it or a push bar. That said, I’ve been to a quite number of Protestant churches, hearing about two which are locking their people inside concerns me deeply. I suggest you report this to local authorities. If they don’t believe you, bring a friend, and attempt to leave during a service. Tape the entire thing with a hidden tape recorder. Give them a simple generic excuse for example you have to add money to a parking meter, you have to leave because of work, etc. Remember, inside the Protestant denominations, if you don’t mind the metaphor there are wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. Just because a building claims to be a church doesn’t mean, it is. Unfortunately, anyone can start a church. The christian church isn’t immune to cults and sects.

 

[PumpkinSeed]

Twopekinguys—

I did find a little about Grace Church in Chester, and it does look pretty bad. The pastor’s son was convicted about a year ago for murdering his wife and two children. Other people from the area say the church is cultish and greedy , requiring members to show their W2 tax forms, locking the church doors during services, and sometimes insisting that a member wash their car before coming onto the church parking lot. Crazy stuff.

That’s just creepy

 

[catharina]

First time that I’ve heard of it! I pray that they do not have a emergence during any of their sevices.

First time I’ve heard of it too.
I’ll bet the town’s FIRE MARSHALL doesn’t know about it.

 

[catharina]

Up here in Canada, we have a strict law which forbids locking people inside a building. DITTO FOR THE STATES. IT IS THE FIRE CODE!

Depending on the area, I can understand how safety is a concern therefore it is sometimes necessary to have a door that locks once you get inside. There is always either someone by the door to unlock it or a push bar. That said, I’ve been to a quite number of Protestant churches, hearing about two which are locking their people inside concerns me deeply.** I suggest you report this to local authorities. IN TOTAL AGREEMENT!!**.

If they don’t believe you, bring a friend, and attempt to leave during a service. Tape the entire thing with a hidden tape recorder. Give them a simple generic excuse for example you have to add money to a parking meter, you have to leave because of work, etc. Remember, inside the Protestant denominations, if you don’t mind the metaphor there are wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. Just because a building claims to be a church doesn’t mean, it is. Unfortunately, anyone can start a church. The christian church isn’t immune to cults and sects.

 

[Zooey]

Up here in Canada, we have a strict law which forbids locking people inside a building. Depending on the area, I can understand how safety is a concern therefore it is sometimes necessary to have a door that locks once you get inside. There is always either someone by the door to unlock it or a push bar. That said, I’ve been to a quite number of Protestant churches, hearing about two which are locking their people inside concerns me deeply. I suggest you report this to local authorities. If they don’t believe you, bring a friend, and attempt to leave during a service. Tape the entire thing with a hidden tape recorder. Give them a simple generic excuse for example you have to add money to a parking meter, you have to leave because of work, etc. Remember, inside the Protestant denominations, if you don’t mind the metaphor there are wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. Just because a building claims to be a church doesn’t mean, it is. Unfortunately, anyone can start a church. The christian church isn’t immune to cults and sects.

I thought when I read this, that this sounded more like a cult.
I agree that something needs to be done to let the authorities know about this…

 

[andrewstx]

Just speaking of safety, I just saw a policeman guarding the doors during the daily Mass on EWTN.

Are Franciscan friars controversial in Alabama?

 

[DaveBj]

Just speaking of safety, I just saw a policeman guarding the doors during the daily Mass on EWTN.

Are Franciscan friars controversial in Alabama?

That’s actually a uniformed private security guard. No, the Franciscans are not controversial here at all.