Coronavirus Is Punishment for 'LGBT Sin,' Says Far-Right Pastor

LGBTQ people have been blamed for hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and other disasters -- and now they're being blamed for the coronavirus outbreak.

Steven Andrew, pastor of the USA Christian Church -- which appears to be a virtual, internet-based church -- has declared March to be Repent of LGBT Sin Month, and one of the reasons is the emergence of the coronavirus strain that's so far infected 100,000 people around the world.

"God's love shows it is urgent to repent, because the Bible teaches homosexuals lose their souls and God destroys LGBT societies," Andrew said in a press release this week. "Obeying God protects the USA from diseases, such as the coronavirus."

"Our safety is at stake," he added, "since national disobedience of God's laws brings danger and diseases, such as coronavirus, but obeying God brings covenant protection. ... God protects the USA from danger as the country repents of LGBT, false gods, abortion and other sins." He has issued a video, brochure, and other "resources" on the matter.

Andrew, based in Northern California, calls himself leader of the American Christian Denomination, which "is made up of Christians of all denominations who believe like our founding fathers," according to his website. He claims to be establishing 25 ministries around the nation, and he holds monthly revival events.

Other Christian right extremists have invoked anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in response to the coronavirus epidemic. In January, Rick Wiles, a Florida minister and founder of a media outlet called TruNews, said the virus is a "plague" sent by God to wipe out LGBTQ people and other sinners.TruNews holds White House media credentials and covered Donald Trump's trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

In the video below, titled 'What Does God Say on 'LGBT'?," Andrew details Bible verses that he says condemn homosexuality and transgender identity, and he praises antisodomy laws and denounces churches that are "soft" on LGBTQ issues. Watch if you dare. And please review the actual ways coronavirus is spread.