Hillsong youth ‘Summercamp’: No masks as megachurch followers party

0


Footage has emerged from megachurch Hillsong’s “Summercamp”, showing hordes of young people doing what nobody else in NSW is allowed to do.

Video has emerged from megachurch Hillsong’s youth “Summercamp 2022” event in Newcastle showing hundreds of young people singing, dancing and partying maskless — and in some cases shirtless — while those things are banned for the rest of the state.

NSW introduced new restrictions on Friday to help curb the spread of the coronavirus after the Omicron variant sent cases into their tens of thousands this month — NSW recorded almost 100,000 new cases on Thursday.

The new rules set out by Premier Dominic Perrottet mean singing and dancing are banned at nightclubs, pubs, bars, and entertainment facilities but large religious gatherings are able go ahead.

Australian artists including rapper Illy reacted with disgust on Thursday when footage was shared from the Hillsong Wildlife Summercamp event.

“I can deal with the NSW health minister *specifically* outlawing singing and dancing at outdoor festivals the other day, an unusual attack on a specific industry without any assistance to those affected,” Illy wrote on Instagram.

“I can even just about deal with after all the music industry has done and dealt with in the last two years, seeing a music festival allowed to go ahead where none could, purely because the attendees are from the same church as the prime minister.

“I can just about deal with all that.

“But playing ‘Turn Down For What’ in 2022? Nah get absolutely f***ed.”

The raucous scenes from the first night of the three-day event at Glenrock Scout Camp in Newcastle were not mentioned in an online breakdown of the camp itinerary.

“We believe that God has something significant in store for our youth this year as we can gather again!” the Hillsong website declares.

“We have planned an exciting new range of summer activities as well as the signature Summercamp rallies for all students, at our Glenrock Scout Camp.

“Located in the Newcastle region right on the beach with access to a still water lagoon, this campsite has been a much loved camp location of our youth ministry for years!”

Organisers for the $314-a-head event mention Covid-19 but footage from the event shows almost everybody in attendance is maskless.

“We are closely monitoring any developments around the Covid-19 pandemic and will be operating our camps in line with government health regulations,” Hillsong’s website reads.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant explained on Friday that the virus spreads easier on dance floors, with the department defending the decision to make allowances for religious settings.

“Singing and dancing in hospitality venues and nightclubs is deemed high risk due to increased movement and mingling within and across these venues, the influence of alcohol consumption, and the removal of masks in these settings to consume food and drink,” a NSW Health spokesperson said.

“People attending religious services generally remain in fixed positions and masks are mandatory for these indoor gatherings.”

It’s been a bitter pill to swallow for the live music industry which has suffered immensely throughout the pandemic.

News.com.au has reached out to Hillsong for comment.

with Bella Fowler

Originally published as Hillsong youth ‘Summercamp’ shows large crowds singing, dancing maskless



Source link

Denial of responsibility! Planetconcerns is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.

Leave a comment