'What are you so afraid of?' Calvary Chapel casts doubts on Covid-19 as it defies health orders
Photo by Eric Pierce
DOWNEY – Even as coronavirus continues to surge, one of Downey’s largest spiritual organizations is encouraging its parishioners to “stand up” against COVID-19.
Calvary Chapel Downey has recently found itself in the middle of the debate over religious freedom during a pandemic, notably how – or if - a congregation should meet to worship at a time when government officials are pleading with residents to stay home.
Calvary has taken a stubborn stance on the matter, continuing to hold in person services while racking up several health protocol violation citations from the county, the most recent being given to the chapel’s associated Christian school on Dec. 10.
It’s a record that the church – and notably, its senior pastor Jeff Johnson – seem to have taken in stride.
“We’re being tested. Pastors need to take a stand,” Johnson said from the pulpit during a morning service on Sept. 20, which can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube. “What are you so afraid of? That they’re threatening to throw you in jail or fine your church?”
“We’ve been fined; every Sunday we’re fined. They threatened me. So what? This is more important than all of that.”
In the same post, Johnson describes the use of masks as “spoofs” and discredits official statistics, while also suggesting that the disease is “serious” and “could take people out.”
Nearly a month later – in a video dated Nov. 15 – Johnson announces that some church staff had contracted the virus, including a few who “got it very seriously.”
Just over a week later on Nov. 23, another video was posted where Johnson announces the passing of one of the chapel’s pastors. While coronavirus is never specifically mentioned, the symptoms and progression of the deceased which Johnson describes is similar to what is currently accepted as what occurs in a severe COVID-19 case.
Multiple calls were made to Calvary Chapel for comment without a response in time for publication.
While some of Calvary’s pre-service ad material suggest that the church is encouraging the use of masks and social distancing, the rhetoric from the pulpit continues to paint a more defiant message.
In a post from Dec. 6, Johnson describes a few events – including the memorial service for the aforementioned pastor – which drew “hundreds.”
He later says that COVID-19 is a “virus that needs to be stood up to.”
“We need to start being responsible adults, and we need to start taking care of ourselves instead of letting them tell us how to take care of us,” said Johnson.