Retreat, rebuke, recite: outliers in church responses to the current COVID-19 pandemic

The article considers atypical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by Christian leaders. In a three-fold classification it first identifies retreat from civic life in resistance lock-down restrictions on places of worship, demanding reopening extreme readings rights religious freedom, and refusal mandatory mask-wearing. A second groups as ‘rebuke’ spiritual warfare approaches within prosperity gospel tradition that take virus be demonic, which there is promise claimed God’s protection healing. third gathers range conspiracy theories recited preachers. evaluating responses, parallel entombing conspiracies, endorsing public health measures, engaging proposed. Drawing upon common good theological critique concluded extremist views present danger global health.