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Billy Sunday was a professional baseball player who became the best-known evangelist in America early last century. What he did during the 1918 flu pandemic holds lessons for Texas & the U.S. today. #coronavirus https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL ">https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL&q... 1/7
That& #39;s why you& #39;ll find him and what he was doing 102 years ago at the top of my column in The Texas Tribune this morning. #coronavirus https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL ">https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL&q... 2/7
In the face of a highly contagious disease and exhortations from public health officials to curb big gatherings (sound familiar?), Sunday went ahead with large religious and temperance revivals. https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL ">https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL&q... #coronavirus 3/7
One report said he grasped hands of 10,000 people. Another included accounts of people collapsing from the Spanish flu at events as he spoke. He told followers they could "pray down the epidemic." #coronavirus https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL ">https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL&q... 4/7
Texas Gov. @GregAbbott_TX has kiboshed gatherings of 10+ people, but excepted "essential" activities, including religious services, a nod to those who contend bans would violate religious freedoms. #coronavirus https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL ">https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL&q... 5/7
Many places are worshiping virtually using phones, computers, all the modern conveniences. Some insist on gathering, which has proved just as dangerous today as it was in the days of Billy Sunday. #coronavirus https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL ">https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL&q... 6/7
Sunday himself knew the difference between congregating and religion: "Going to church doesn& #39;t make you a Christian, any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile." #coronavirus https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL ">https://bit.ly/2wQdcSL&q... 7/7
