The apparent blasphemy of My Pillow founder Michael Lindell regarding a COVID-19 'cure'.

 It is no small thing to commit blasphemy against God.  It seems like doing so on national television would be doubly foolish.  Yet that is what My Pillow founder Michael Lindell just did, whether he is aware of it or not.  Before looking at why Lindell's statements are a violation of the 3rd Commandment, let me get this disclaimer out of the way.  Michael Lindell believes very strongly that Donald Trump is the best President in the history of the United States.  I could care less what his political views are.  Up until this point, I hadn't given him much thought at all, until his interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper where he invoked the name of Jesus Christ, and proclaimed to be doing the Will of God in his stumping for Oleandrin as a miracle cure for COVID-19.  While this pandemic has produced many quake 'cures' and false hopes, this one stands out precisely because the man pushing it is doing so in Christ's name.

It is blasphemy, a violation of the 3rd Commandment {Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."}, to use the name of God for any of the following purposes (examples from a larger list), it is my contention watching Lindell's interview, that he has done all four.  Also, Michael Lindell claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ, I'll take him at his word, and consider him a brother in Christ who has lost his way (at least in this regard).
Michael Lindell's interview on CNN with Anderson Cooper
4 facts about oleandrin, an unproven coronavirus treatment reportedly pitched to Trump - by Nicole Pesce of MarketWatch
1. Personal financial gain
Michael Lindell has an ownership stake in a company which just so happens to process Oleandrin.  If enough people believe his claims that it both prevents COVID-19 infection AND cures it, he will make a whole lot of money.
When Prosperity Gospel preachers, or just gold old-fashioned TV evangelists utilize the Gospel and people's devotion to God to enrich themselves, they're committing blasphemy too.  If a businessman does it, he/she is equally guilty of that sin, in the false-preacher's case there are additional points of immoral behavior as they have taken a position of leadership in the Church.
2. To take advantage of the weak, vulnerable, or innocent
During a global pandemic, those most likely to listen to 'snake oil salesmen' are those most vulnerable to the disease in question.  No doubt Oleandrin tales are already spreading around social media under headlines like, "The cure the government doesn't want you to know about.."  Lindell's advocacy will appeal to conspiracy theorists, to desperate people with health conditions who fear the virus, and whose only fault will be listening to him, in part because he invokes the name of Jesus to make his appeal.
3. When your actions will likely harm others
It is highly likely that people will take extracts of this highly toxic plant, at doses that may cause them real harm, because they believe that it will be a 'miracle cure'.  A secondary harm will come from those who take it, are not harmed by it directly, but then who ignore all social distancing precautions because Lindell promised them that they could no longer catch or spread the disease once they begin taking Oleandrin.  {In the interview, Lindell proclaimed himself to be 'immune' to the virus because of Oleandrin.}  The end result will be an increased spread of COVID-19, more false information in the public consciousness, and greater resistance to protective measures.  Lastly, some who catch COVID-19 will be convinced to ignore medical treatment, or fail to quarantine themselves because they're taking Oleandrin.  All of these scenarios are highly likely, and an unknown number of people will be harmed by Lindell's 'cure', once again, in Jesus' name.
4. To avoid scrutiny, as a substitute for Truth, facts, or evidence.
Throughout the interview, Anderson Cooper pressed Michael Lindell to site any reputable study, any evidence at all that Oleandrin could do any of the things that he was claiming, or at the least proof that it wouldn't be harmful to those who take it.  Rather than offer up substance, Lindell on multiple occasions resorted to proclaiming that he was doing what he was doing because God had given him the platform to do so.  In other words, rather than truth, facts, or evidence, Lindell offered up God's reputation as a substitute.  There's just one problem, God's reputation isn't a crutch for you to use to get out of a jam, it isn't a substitute for truth, or a 'no facts necessary' excuse.
Had Michael Lindell left God out of his conversation, I would ignore him, but he didn't, he chose (whether purposefully or not) to use the name of Jesus and the Will of God as surety for his claims.  For all four reasons listed above, that is sadly a classic case of blasphemy.

{Update: FDA rejects oleandrin, an unproven coronavirus therapeutic pushed by MyPillow CEO, as a dietary supplement ingredient - by Jen Christensen and Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 9/4/20}