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'Faith should not be used as shield to be foolish'- Skelton-Cline

- Urges Christian community to take COVID-19 more seriously
Man of the Cloth and Social Commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has urged the Christian community to take the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat more seriously and noted that a belief in God should not mean actions towards protecting against the virus should be foolish. Photo: VINO/File
Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline's comments urging Christians to follow scientific guidelines, takes a slightly different approach in comparison to comments made by Pastor of the News Life Baptist Church in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, who told his followers that COVID-19 in noting to fear as long as they obey the lord. Photo: VINO/File
Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline's comments urging Christians to follow scientific guidelines, takes a slightly different approach in comparison to comments made by Pastor of the News Life Baptist Church in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, who told his followers that COVID-19 in noting to fear as long as they obey the lord. Photo: VINO/File
Some churches in the Virgin Islands have shut their doors but are operating online. Photo not of a church in the Virgin Islands. Photo: WHNT.com
Some churches in the Virgin Islands have shut their doors but are operating online. Photo not of a church in the Virgin Islands. Photo: WHNT.com
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Clergyman and social commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has urged the Christian community to take the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat more seriously and noted that a belief in God should not mean actions toward protecting against the virus should be foolish.

'Let me say something to our churches, our church people... your faith should not be used as a shield to be foolish," Mr Skelton-Cline said on the Tuesday, March 17, 2020, edition of his 'Honestly Speaking' show on ZBVI 780 AM. 

According to Skelton-Cline, some Christians are still involving in behaviour contrary to social distancing recommendations designed to prevent the spread of the virus as recommended by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and the Virgin Islands (VI) Government.

Don't tempt God - Skelton-Cline 

"You shouldn't tempt God, you shouldn't test God and you shouldn't expect God to do something for us that he has already endowed us with, the faculties so that we can make wise decisions," he said.

Skelton-Cline continued, "I know some of our Church people are a little uncomfortable and they telling us about social distancing," he said regarding showing affection in the church. 

Since last week, Thursday, March 19, 2020, churches and other religious organisations in the Virgin Islands (VI) have had to limit their gatherings to no more than 30 persons as part of restrictions endorsed by Cabinet for the Territory's COVID-19 preparation and response plans.

Pastor Skelton-Cline's comments urging Christians to follow scientific guidelines, takes a slightly different apporach in comparison to comments made by Bishop John I. Cline of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff's Bottom, Tortola.

Nothing to fear - Bishop John I. Cline 

Quoting Exodus from the Holy Bible, the outspoken Pastor Cline said that Christians have nothing to fear over the global outbreak of the deadly Novel-Coronavirus (COVID-19) as long as they obey the lord.

"If you listen to the voice of the Lord, if you keep your eyes on him and pay attention to all of his decrees, he says I will put none of these diseases on you that visited the Egyptians because I am the Lord that heals you," Bishop Cline said in a social media video released, March 14, 2020.

10 Responses to “'Faith should not be used as shield to be foolish'- Skelton-Cline”

  • tretretrete (23/03/2020, 16:25) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank you...!
  • church (23/03/2020, 16:39) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Amen
  • borrowed (23/03/2020, 16:52) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    I trust God...and I wear my seatbelt.
    I trust God...and I wear a motorcycle helmet.
    I trust God...and there are enough life jackets in my boat for everyone on board.
    I trust God...and I use oven mitts with really hot dishes.
    I trust God...and I lock my house at night.
    I trust God...and I have smoke detectors in my house.
    I trust God...and I take my prescribed medicines.
    I trust God...and I will follow safety precautions and procedures to reduce the risk of getting myself or others sick.
  • NezRez (23/03/2020, 17:00) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Skelton is 100% correct. Cline is 100% wrong and very irresponsible to allow people believe there is nothing to fear, and not take the scientific approach like Skelton, to protect themselves. You can believe in the Lord, but you must use COMMON SENSE to prevent this virus. So Mr. Cline, if you contact the disease, does that mean you are a fraud and don't really believe in your Lord?
  • Dr.phil (23/03/2020, 17:40) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    Excuse me, but who asked either of these two for their opinions????? Why print any of these person's opinions - we're all capable of formulating our own thoughts and opinions. They're both in the same boat as the brother claiming to have developed an organic cure for the disease. Bunch of kooks...
  • Pastor what? (23/03/2020, 19:59) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    You Sir have used it as a shield to be foolish on many occasions, and continue to do so !!!
  • Eagle Eye (23/03/2020, 21:22) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    he says I will put none of these diseases on you that visited the Egyptians because I am the Lord that heals you. According to what i just read its your bible god responsible.wellsah
    • Eagle (24/03/2020, 08:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why do you seek to take scripture and use it to justify your disbelief. The Bible did say what you quoted , He did not try to hide anything. But what you must note is that the same Bible also says God is love, love does no wrong... you reading the wrong part of the good Book. And by the way, when you say "your Bible God.' that suggest that you could be a non believer, and to that I say, if you refuse Jesus, do you think you doing Him something? Its your loss, I hope before you leave hthis earth, you accept Him. Have peace with yourself, He has given you free will.
  • hellboy (24/03/2020, 09:26) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Healing and praying for the sick was always a fraud, People need to rely on sound medical practice .
  • uh (24/03/2020, 20:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some people only know d Bible when something bad taking place that makes sense


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