Let’s face it, US televangelists are a weird mob at the best of times. And one of the stranger ones – Kenneth Copeland – has gone on live TV to summon the “wind of God” to destroy the coronavirus during his latest televised sermon (albeit to an empty room).
Copeland is reportedly the US’ richest TV preacher with a personal wealth of $US760 million ($A1.2 billion).
Before blowing at the camera, Copeland said: “I blow the wind of God on you. You are destroyed forever, and you’ll never be back. Thank you, God. Let it happen. Cause it to happen.”
Leading a chant surrounded by members of his church, Copeland strategises: “Wind, almighty, strong, south wind. Heat – burn this thing, in the name of Jesus. I say, you bow your knees. You fall on your face.”
Only last month, the apparently God-touched pastor said he’d “executed judgment” on the virus, which he declared was now “finished and over” and the US was now “healed and well again”. He also demanded, “a vaccination to come immediately”.
The Trump-loving clergyman also argued to his followers that the President’s opponents had “opened the door” for the virus with their “displays of hate” against him.
Check out the windy action below:
But as a report on B&T yesterday showed, Copeland certainly isn’t the only dangerous religious crackpot in the country as many churchgoers continue to flout self-isolating rules.
At a church in Ohio in the US’ midwest, a CNN TV reporter spoke to members of a church congregation who were driving home having just attended a service despite fears of catching the virus.
The reporter asked one woman why she’d attended despite being in the midst of the pandemic and potentially being infected or infecting others.
To which the woman responds: “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I’m covered in Jesus’ blood. All these people go to this church. They could get me sick but they’re not because I’m covered in his blood.”
