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This is disengenuous. Coates can preach, the content of his preaching is not *at all* under scrutiny, nor is he subject to special rules.
Bunyan was imprisoned specifically for his religious beliefs that ran contrary to the established church, which enjoyed special privilege. https://twitter.com/MikeHovland/status/1362428065905659908
Bunyan was imprisoned specifically for his religious beliefs that ran contrary to the established church, which enjoyed special privilege. https://twitter.com/MikeHovland/status/1362428065905659908
This is a civil rights issue and lies at the intersection of public health policy and individual right. Coates is doing what he sincerely believes is right, I think, but comparing it to religious persecution makes a mockery of those who are actually being persecuted.
Having sincere religious motivations for your action does not necessarily mean that any consequences following your actions are directed against your sincere religious beliefs.
In Bunyan's situation, this was actually the case. It's not here.
In Bunyan's situation, this was actually the case. It's not here.
I'm not dunking on Coates. I actually attended his church when living in Edmonton for a bit. I have sympathy for his perspective on civil rights, even as I disagree with him on the danger posed by COVID. I do think that framing this as religious persecution is not right, however.
