As the Delta variant continues to create a spike in new cases of Covid-19 all over the world, Evangelical Christian Pastor Shane Vaughn of First Harvest Ministries claimed there's an easy solution to this problem.
America must repent for their acceptance of homosexuality.
Vaughn shared his homophobia in an impassioned sermon live streamed on Monday evening, falsely declaring vaccines are not working owing to the judgement of God.
"They've got variants coming that ain't no vaccine going to work for. This nation is under the judgment of God."
"And I want to tell you something right now: They're already admitting that the vaccine is alarmingly not working. Alarmingly!"
"They're alarmed at what they're seeing. Do you know why? Because America, you're making a huge mistake."
Vaughn did not include any scientific evidence to back up how "alarmingly" vaccines aren't working in fighting against Covid-19.
In a recent report from the CDC, while a number of breakthrough cases have been reported in vaccinated individuals, the vaccines have still proven 80% effective against the Delta variant, with the majority of recent hospitalizations being people who were either unvaccinated, or had highly compromised immune systems.
In a direct attack on those "trusting anything besides God", Pastor Vaughn quoted from Isaiah 31:1, criticizing those who relied upon Egypt, and not God, which Vaughn equated to those looking for vaccines and doctors for help in protecting themselves from Covid-19.
"Why would you go begging [doctors] for their help? "
"They have nothing that's gonna help my judgment that is coming upon this nation."
"The only help for the child of God in this hour is the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah"
Then, almost completely out of nowhere, Vaughn firmly declared that no vaccine would work in the fight against Covid-19 until America repents for its support of abortion and homosexuality.
"These vaccines are gonna quit working on every corner until this nation falls to her knees and repents for dead babies and repents for the sodomy of this nation."
Vaughn is no stranger to outlandish claims.
In a previous sermon, Pastor Vaughn declared it was a "sin" to be concerned about climate change which he declared an "anti-Christian religion."
The unfounded ideology and complete lack of scientific evidence behind both of these sermons resulted in a mockery on social media.
Rightwing religious extremist cult leader and #CONjob grifter Shane Vaughn creates a god in his own image. There's a term for such psychotic delusion. \nAlso: idolater and worshipper of Mammon.https://twitter.com/RightWingWatch/status/1432393089809846277\u00a0\u2026— deBeauxOs (@deBeauxOs) 1630345340
Hate to inform him...\n\nbut, Vaccines are working.\nMask do too.— Christian Wolfe (@Christian Wolfe) 1630171806
Within 6 months I guarantee you that #ShaneVaughn will be caught fellating another guy at a truck stop, or will be exposed for forcing his underage mistress to have an abortion. One or the other. Likely not both, but possible.https://twitter.com/realTuckFrumper/status/1431669290952892418\u00a0\u2026— Robert "Fully Vaccinated" Meadows (@Robert "Fully Vaccinated" Meadows) 1630178290
God told me he doesn\u2019t know who Shane Vaughn was talking to, but it wasn\u2019t Him.— Cranky old guy (@Cranky old guy) 1630080366
I\u2019m gay and my vaccine is working just fine. Thanks pastor.— I\u2019m The Pumpkin Queen that\u2019s me (@I\u2019m The Pumpkin Queen that\u2019s me) 1630172667
A few pointed out both the misinformation and lack of traditional Christian values in Vaughn's loud, rambling speech.
Timothy 4:3-4 ESV For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.— Faith Snow (@Faith Snow) 1630076911
Trust me he's no Christian.— Linda Robitaille (@Linda Robitaille) 1630171938
Others predicted Vaughn's lack of faith in medicine and vaccines could result in a grim outcome for the Evangelical preacher.
Unless, of course, like many leaders preaching against vaccination, Vaughn is vaccinated.
How many days until we see his name in the headline "Right wing pastor urges followers to get vaccinated, from his death bead". Seems to be a recent pattern.— Rich Humphreys (All vaxxed up) (@Rich Humphreys (All vaxxed up)) 1630077263
Countdown to pleading for prayers facebook post cause Paster Shane has been placed on a ventilator in 3 \u2026. 2 \u2026. 1— QuadrupleU (@QuadrupleU) 1630077692
Cynical as these predictions may be, outspoken anti-vaxxers dying of Covid-19 has become a common trend in recent days.
This past weekend, QAnon conspiracy theorist Robert David Steele and conservative radio host Marc Bernier—who proudly dubbed himself "Mr. Anti Vax"—both died of Covid-19.
Other conservative men of the cloth who attempted to make unfounded links connecting Covid-19 with LGBTQIA+ individuals also saw their Covid denying, anti-vaccine rhetoric come back to haunt them.
Irvin Baxter Jr., founder of Endtime Ministries, who blamed Covid-19 on a "lack of virgin brides" and the sinful lifestyle of gay men and women, died of Covid-19 in November of 2020.
While more recently, Catholic Cardinal Raymond Burke, who called same sex relationships "evil" and spread conspiracy theories vaccines contained tracking devices, calling God the only legitimate provider of health, found himself put on a ventilator after catching Covid-19.
