Though most comments express gratitude and praise for Fairrington’s announcement, some saw it as spreading anti-vax propaganda. “You’re doing a great disservice to your followers. It’s disgusting that you’re using your ‘church’ to spread anti-vax propaganda,” a commenter wrote.
Another comment disapproving of the exemption read, “Never seen so many people lined up ready to go to the slaughterhouse…And this pastor is just a grifter…I wonder how much this exemption will cost.”
Destiny Christian Church Ignored Pandemic Restrictions
Fairrington led Destiny Christian Church in defying Governor Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 mandates last year by keeping its doors open and holding worship gatherings.
Related article: MacArthur: State Does Not, Should Not Have the Authority to Close Churches
The pastor said the exemption offering is about freedom and doesn’t say the virus isn’t real. “I’ve never downplayed the virus. I realize it’s real and people are getting it and getting sick, but we as American citizens have a First Amendment right. America is a great nation because we have liberty,” Fairrington said.
“I believe my mandate as a pastor is to obey the Word of God. Worship is a part of what we do together as a church corporately and we need to do this. This is important that we do this,” the pastor said in a July 2020 interview.
