Friendly debates here!
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@crazywriter Thanks for the tag! As for debate topics… how about how we should treat authority, especially in regards to COVID and masks/vaccines all that good stuff?
I had a long take on this, but SE won’t let me post it. I guess they censor COVID related stuff. I’m not sure. I’m a moderate in the subject, I don’t hate masks, but I certainly don’t like them, and the vaccine I think isn’t something that should be mandated but I don’t think it’s anything to be afraid of.
Let’s see if I get censored againI guess they censor COVID related stuff.
Maybe, but it could just be the normal glitches with the forums. Especially if you included any links.
how about how we should treat authority, especially in regards to COVID and masks/vaccines all that good stuff?
(After the first paragraph, this is heavily influenced by the fact that I’m American, and it occurred to me partway through writing that this isn’t necessarily an all-American forum, so it might not apply to everyone.)
So an interesting note on this from my Bible reading a few days ago. Chapter breaks were added to the Bible by translators, which I normally don’t notice too much except that I was reading Romans the other day and the end of chapter 12, which is all about repaying no one evil for evil, would have flowed right into the beginning of chapter 13 about respecting the governing authorities, in the original.
Now, I don’t think this means we should just endure injustice if there’s something we can do about it, and our (U.S.) government is one we have influence over, unlike the government of the Romans Paul was writing to. I do think it’s still our responsibility to peaceably resist injustice. The second amendment rallies come to mind, or (in regards to COVID) just peacefully but firmly saying no to a mask or a vaccine.
I don’t think the government has any right to mandate personal health choices. Strong recommendations are one thing; deciding “you have to do this, or else” is quite another. “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and render to God what is God’s,” and my body is the temple of God, which means I’m going to care for it in what I believe is the most biblical manner. I don’t personally think that impeding God’s design for breathing or unnecessarily supplementing the immune system He designed with something man-made is the most God-honoring option. Which is not to say that I don’t think there are people who can benefit from the vaccine, or that anyone who chooses to wear a mask is an idiot, or that I personally ignore the fact that COVID is an illness and act accordingly. I do try to keep my distance from strangers and wash my hands regularly, because those seem to be the most effective means of preventing transmission from a purely scientific standpoint. Being responsible with my health is still biblical; I just don’t think masks and vaccines are the best way to be responsible with my health.
Our government is restricted by a constitution, and power was given to the people to “throw off such [corrupt] government” should the need arise, so in the context of the U.S. I think it’s reasonable to replace government leaders who are “a terror to good works” with leaders who will be a terror to evil, if we keep the proper attitude in doing so.
Speculative fiction author. Mythology nerd. Worldbuilding enthusiast. Singer. Fan of classic literature.
lemme try it again.
Mainstream conservatives don’t like this, but I don’t think there is validity to many of the they make against masks. First of all, conservatives preach liberty and freedom, but find fault when shops and stores make you wear one, using the same liberties they are so fond of. Second, unless it affects you, and stops you from serving God, or it is breaking Gods law, I don’t see where you can make a biblical excuse. Now if it does, like RM Archer pointed out some possibilities, I fully agree with taking them off.
To sum it up, I am in no way fond of masks, and it is a breath of fresh air(pun intended) to not have to wear one. But store owners do have the constitutional right to make you wear a mask within their property. Now mandates to wear masks outside? Pfff. Ridiculous
Whew. Prolly lost some friends on that one.
In regard to vaccines, things get murkier. I know people who think it is a imperative thing you get vaccinated, and I also know those who think it is the mark of the beast. I disagree with both.
Scripture makes it clear that the mark of the beast will be an intentional denial of Christ. There are no accidental apostasies. Revelation makes it obvious it isn’t a disguised thing. It’s out in the open, and you’ll know it when you see it. However, the government shouldn’t force people to get it, because that’s just wrong.
Thats my take on it. I’d love to hear all yours
FYI I typed this up before your post, so if in any way I seemed to be making a shot across the bow, it was completely unintended, and I agree with your argument.
Keep in mind that if we are free, we are not to become slaves, (I Corinthians 7:23) which I believe includes freedom-binding mandates.
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comFYI I typed this up before your post, so if in any way I seemed to be making a shot across the bow, it was completely unintended, and I agree with your argument.
Nope, all good. 🙂
But store owners do have the constitutional right to make you wear a mask within their property.
This is true. And if a store owner/employee wants to be really pushy about it, I’ll either put one on or leave (sometimes both; I wore a mask to my library for a year because it was the rule and a number of the librarians are elderly, but after a year of keeping my distance and barely interacting with anyone anyway due to a new computerized system I decided the mask was an unnecessary hindrance to breathing, and when they were really pushy about it I just stopped going and haven’t been back in almost a year since). But I find that most businesses are only keeping up the appearance of mask mandates because they feel pressured to, not because they actually feel a need/want to mandate it themselves. Which is its own problem when it comes to business-owners’ rights.
Speculative fiction author. Mythology nerd. Worldbuilding enthusiast. Singer. Fan of classic literature.
Keep in mind that if we are free, we are not to become slaves, (I Corinthians 7:23) which I believe includes freedom-binding mandates.
Hm. I hadn’t thought of applying that verse here, but that makes sense.
Speculative fiction author. Mythology nerd. Worldbuilding enthusiast. Singer. Fan of classic literature.
@r-m-archer, @emily-waldorf, @crazywriter, @joelle-stone
I agree with all of you to some extent.
And I was going to write a rant and then realized how exhausting and pointless that would be as it would basically be restating everything everyone already said with some differences. XD
In regards to masks, I live in a state where the county is mandating you wear masks inside. Uh-uh. That’s not their job, and as such, I refuse to wear a mask as that goes against my constitutional rights. If there’s one business somewhere that wants me to wear a mask, I won’t wear one unless someone asks me to, but I’ll respect their wishes if they’re a private business.
Vaccines? Ew. Okay, so here’s my take. The government as absolutely. no. right. to make my health choices for me. Further, there’s a ton of evidence proving how dangerous the vax truly is, and I’m not putting that in my body for any reason whatsoever.
I agree with Peter, though. I definitely don’t think it’s the mark of the beast, as in regards to what he said, Christians will know, and it will be deliberate, conscious rejection of Jesus Christ, not an unconscious mistake.
Okay and it still turned into a rant… XD
"The darkness is seldom complete, and even when it is, the pinprick of light is not long in coming."
@r-m-archer @denali-Christianson @emily-Waldorf @joelle-stone
Not meaning time abruptly change the subject, but what are some of the most bizzare beliefs you’ve known people to hold to that they think is biblical?
@crazywriter @denali-christianson @r-m-archer @emily-waldorf
I agree with most if not all of your arguments. I do think that it is wrong for the government to be dictating how you must care for your body, or ordering small, locally owned businesses to require masks or vaccines. That is the business’ choice, and if they choose to ask you to wear a mask, I’ll wear one if necessary or just not go in there, like R.M. said. I do believe that, in regards to COVID, at least, masks are not beneficial – in fact, I believe that they are harmful, especially if worn for a long period of time. The first time I had to wear a mask I had to take it off ’cause I was overheating and having a hard time breathing, not to mention all the other bacteria that gets stuck in them and then you constantly breathe those in. Luckily enough for me, our family lives in a small town where the only place that requires masks for their employees and recommends that you wear one (that I know of, at least), is City Market, and that’s ’cause it’s a chain. (Funny thing is, the employees wear mesh masks to protest. XD)
As for the vaccine, I’ve heard so much about how harmful it is that I do not plan on taking it. I’ve had people I know severely struggle with it, and my dad knows at least four people who have died or have had family members die less than a week after getting their first shot. There’s also been some suspicious paralyzations, brain injuries, and heart problems after having it. My family and I believe that your natural, God-made immune system is the best possible way to defend against COVID, and as such we were actually quite thrilled when we got it (go figure :P). (The only sad part is that it completely rewired my taste and smell, so now I’m having to learn what things smell and taste like all over again. It’s kinda weird and also very annoying. XD)
Anywho, that’s my take. Any other topics?
Whoops, didn’t see your comment, Peter.
Not meaning time abruptly change the subject, but what are some of the most bizzare beliefs you’ve known people to hold to that they think is biblical?
I’ve not really encountered very many people who are willing to have a theological discussion with me who are not Christians. I only met one, and she sees the Bible as a historical textbook, not a moral manual. So… none? XD
Thats interesting. I haven’t met anybody that thought that.
I have met someone who thought that after you’re saved you never sin, and if you do sin, you’re not saved.The government as absolutely. no. right. to make my health choices for me. Further, there’s a ton of evidence proving how dangerous the vax truly is, and I’m not putting that in my body for any reason whatsoever.
I agree 100%. I think that it’s each person’s right to decide if they want to get the vaccine, and I won’t preach against them if they want to get it. I do think it’s a silly thing to do, for the health reasons (and also it doesn’t even keep you from getting it, so technically it isn’t even a “vaccine”). And I’m sure not going to get it. But the government shouldn’t tell us what we have to do or not do in that respect.
As far as the masks go, I wore one there when everything blew up in the middle of last year, just because I didn’t really have an issue with it one way or another. I think it was a reasonable enough thing for the government to be like “hey let’s everybody wear these so we can see if that will stop the spread of this” for a bit, but I do think they’ve let that go on long enough. I don’t wear one anymore. I would wear one if I was asked to by someone who has a compromised immune system and they were absolutely not comfortable being around me otherwise (and I’ll admit I’m tempted to wear one to Walmart because Walmart is dirty lol), but other than that I don’t wear them. My state has lifted the mandate, and therefore so has my university, luckily.
But yeah. The vaccine? Heck no. Not for me. I’ve heard some very scary things about it. Again, if someone wants to get it, whatever. I won’t argue with you if that’s what you wanna do. I just don’t want people to be like “oh my gosh you haven’t had the vaccine???!? You’re gonna DIE!!!! Your whole family is gonna DIE!!!!”, ya know?
“Enough! Be quiet! I can’t hear myself think! I can’t hear my teeth chatter!"
I agree with Peter, though. I definitely don’t think it’s the mark of the beast, as in regards to what he said, Christians will know, and it will be deliberate, conscious rejection of Jesus Christ, not an unconscious mistake.
I kinda shy away from calling anything the mark of the beast definitively, because I frankly don’t know, and I feel like slapping a label on it is going to be worse than not identifying it, ya know?
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.com
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