Christianity in China
A pigeon flies past a metal cross at a Catholic church in Beijing on Apr. 7, 2005. Reuters

Christian broadcaster Marcus Lamb, who spread misinformation and railed against vaccines, died Tuesday from COVID-19. He was 64.

Lamb was the founder of the Daystar Television Network and had previously used his platform to call the pandemic a “satanic attack” that should not be treated with vaccines. He touted the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to treat the virus.

Dallas-based Daystar is the second-largest Christian network in the world, reaching an audience of about 2 billion people. Lamb and his wife founded the network in 1993.

Lamb regularly invited vaccine skeptics onto his program. They talked about vaccine conspiracies, hidden forces pushing the vaccine, and stealing Christians' freedoms.

In 2010, Lamb publicly admitted to an extramarital affair after an alleged extortion plot. Lamb also drew attention in December 2020 after an Inside Edition investigation found that Daystar used Paycheck Protection Program funds to buy a private jet.

"It's with a heavy heart we announce that Marcus Lamb, president and founder of Daystar Television Network, went home to be with the Lord this morning," the network tweeted on Tuesday. "The family asks that their privacy be respected as they grieve this difficult loss."

"He was diagnosed with COVID and then got the COVID pneumonia. But he had pre-existing conditions," said wife Joni Lamb.

Marcus Lamb had diabetes, according to the family. He reportedly took treatments that were touted on their network which "caused his blood sugar to spike and a decrease in his oxygen."

“There’s no doubt in my mind that this is a spiritual attack from the enemy,” said son Johnathan Lamb in November. He added that the enemy is doing everything to “take down” his father.

Lamb joins a list of prominent Christian broadcasters Dick Farrell, Phil Valentine, and Marc Bernier who died from the virus after showing skepticism about the vaccine.

Coronavirus