Science and Christian Faith

Just came across this article written by an individual who was educated at a conservative seminary, trained as a minister, and served as a pastor. 

To get an idea why I found the article worth sharing, here is one of the author’s leading statements:

From Darwin to COVID the church has been wrong. 

Wow! That statement … coming from a believer? Will wonders never cease!

Here is what he says towards the end of the article: 

There is nothing to fear from scientific data and proper research. There is something to fear from the fearful and ignorant. Anyone who is not willing to question their own belief structure, or anyone that remains in their own echo chamber, is dangerous. That is why there is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. It is expressing the fear of people who claim to have none.

If you are a person who recognizes the dangers of COVID-19 and its variants — and finds it mind-boggling that Christians refuse vaccines (!) — I think you will find this article very refreshing. 

Take a gander …

Evangelicals, science and the vaccine:
Refusal is built on deep-seated fear

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Image by Jeyaratnam Caniceus from Pixabay

Ending Shelter-In-Place

I want to share an idea I had related to opening businesses, allowing people to return to work, and yet still keeping everyone safe from COVID-19. While I highly doubt I’m the only one who has thought of this since few ideas are “original,” I’m curious to know what my blog readers think.

Before you share your opinions, please know that I’m well aware there are those who would strongly resist my idea since they believe it would infringe on their “freedom.” But putting that aside, do you think such a plan would work? And would YOU be willing to follow it?

The most important requirement of this plan would be that EVERYONE … I mean, EVERYONE … would have to participate.

Ending the shelter in place

Until mass testing becomes available to identify who is or is not infected — or until a vaccine is available — we would ALL wear protective face masks.

NO EXCEPTIONS.

People could return to work, we could all go places, do things, and return to
semi-normal living. BUT we would have to wear a mask to protect both ourselves and others.

And these would not be “homemade” coverings. They would have to be masks that truly protect both parties — perhaps a type of N-95 mask that has been (quickly) designed by some innovative (i.e., money-oriented) company to be more comfortable for long periods of wear yet performs comparatively.

There would undoubtedly be resistance to such a requirement, so mask-wearing would need to be a government-mandated requirement, which means law enforcement may need to be involved.

As this action would allow people to return to work, all business establishments would be required to post messages to remind employees to thoroughly wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer throughout the day.

I know. I know. The idea is probably pretty far-fetched, but absent mass testing or a vaccine, we are all at risk each and every time we come in contact with the public.

Moreover, many people are suffering greatly from the “shelter-in-place” restrictions. Not only from loss of income, but from the emotional toll as well.

As many of you know, Trump is currently pushing (threatening?) to open everything up by May 1st. I don’t think I need to expand on the dangers of this action until some type of safety restrictions are in place.

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Image by Klaus Hausmann from Pixabay

Part One: The Pandemic

I’m fully aware this post is going to be controversial and may cause a rise in the reader’s blood pressure. Nevertheless, I think it’s a subject that needs to be discussed.

As many of you have probably heard or read, gun and ammunition sales have skyrocketed. And not just in the states where people adamantly defend the “Second Amendment.” It’s nationwide … and directly related to the coronavirus situation:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/03/16/coronavirus-fears-have-led-to-a-surge-in-us-gun-sales

Many of us are repelled by this action. But I’d like you to take just a moment and think about why this is happening.

We have a virus running rampant throughout the world and efforts to stop it have so far been unsuccessful. In the U.S., part of this has to do with:

1. An irrational belief among Christians that God will take care of them so they continue to congregate in places of worship to “pray for healing,” and
2. Some individuals in authority contend the virus is not as dangerous as claimed so they refuse to put any restrictions in place, thus allowing others who feel as they do to frequent public places and rub shoulders with the general public.

In any event, many people are in a panic. Not only are they fearful they might become infected, but “social distancing” has created another layer of stress. Some have even felt an urgency to “stock up” (just in case) on food and supplies. Often to excess.

Even more disturbing is the assertion by health officials that any potential cure is months away. We begin to wonder when–or if– things will ever return to normal.

Now let’s move into the future just a bit. The virus is still not contained. More and more people are getting infected.

Suddenly, the full impact hits. Almost overnight, infections soar and the death rate becomes overwhelming. The country is forced to go into complete lockdown.

So what happens to all those people who were in denial? The ones that didn’t prepare for this possibility … who ignored the necessity of stocking up on essentials.

Two words. They panic.

Hundreds of them start running to the supermarkets in the middle of the night to buy things. The ignore the distancing precautions because they’re desperate.  Food and supplies are still available, but shelves are not fully stocked as in normal times. As supplies dwindle, panic increases. And people get more desperate. Sometimes dangerously desperate.

Now think about those individuals who early-on took this pandemic seriously and planned ahead. They are the ones with adequate food and supplies.

And the desperate people know this.

Continue to Part Two.

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay