I wonder…

I wonder. Will the evangelical thought leaders, who have in recent times become so concerned with the health of their brothers and sisters in Christ that they constantly and publically urge and shame them into getting the Covid vaccine, start using the same tactics regarding other health issues? You know, like obesity? And exercise?

Oh no, I guess that would be fat-shaming. Funny how when the propaganda is with them they are so bold. When the narrative is against them, they are like little kittens.

Lessons from the Gulags – Part 2

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As I mentioned in the first installment, Alexander Solzhenitsyn was both burdened and blessed with the misery of the Russian gulags. Burdened because he was a victim and witness to horrors that most cannot begin to imagine. Blessed because he learned the lessons that the gulags had to teach.

I want to explore one such lesson here today. A lesson about the face of evil and the ways in which ideology gives evil the necessary fuel to really take off and soar into space.

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Shot Famz

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Wow, cool, the event is called “Shot Famz”, haha. I call my family “Famz”, and we say “shot” as a colloquialism for thank you, but they made it into a pun, hahaha! So relatable. I bet that’ll be lit[1] because they’re using the same slang words as me! Hang on a second… Kai boxes[2] and candy packs??? Now I’m definitely getting an irreversible medical procedure. Yooooo… DJ music! That’s so hip hop. I’m gonna call all my usos,[3] and we finna[4] turn up! Lesh go![5]

[1] Lit: When something is turned up or popping … John: did you go to that party last night? Daquan: yes that shit was lit

[2] The Māori word for food is kai.

[3] In Samoan, “Uso” means brother.

[4] Finna: Abbreviation of “fixing to”. Normally means “going to”… I’m finna go da’ sto!

[5] Leshgo: NZ SLANG MEANING: Let’s do this, excited, let’s go… Yo leshgo have some cones gee!

The Madness of Our Times

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Something that I have noticed in these unfortunate times is the surprisingly high proportion of people who are ‘experts’ on the covid situation, and who know exactly what everyone else should do. Fortunately for us ordinary and uneducated rubes, these people are kind enough to share with us exactly what we ought to be doing. All the time. One only has to naively sign into one’s social media account to be accosted by ignorant fools pontificating on the latest developments.

What I find extremely amusing is that many of these ‘experts’ who seek to win people over to their position, are people whose advice and common sense I would never consult in most ordinary life situations because they have never shown themselves to be competent adult citizens. Nonetheless, in one of the more unsettling ironies of our time, an inversely proportional relationship exists between one’s competence and one’s willingness to publicise one’s views on a particular topic. These people tend to be extremely zealous on social media in attempting to win people over to their point of view, which incidentally tends to be a parroting of government propaganda and poorly researched ‘facts’.

What is ridiculous about this is that such pawns would assume that intelligent critical thinking individuals would actually be interested in listening to what they have to say. Personal credibility matters.

How’s That Line in the Sand Going?

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GUEST POST – Scott Kennedy

It’s been over a week now since I went public with the article “My Line in the Sand”. What a rollercoaster ride! In this time I’ve been inundated with messages some supporting my line in the sand, some suggesting I smooth over the sand and choose a new location for the line, and others questioning my character, sanity and motivations. So in this piece I will share my reflections on the reaction to my article.

The Positives

Firstly let me reflect on some of the positives. A highlight for me has been realising I am not alone. There are a lot of us out there. Never before in my life have I received so many encouraging messages about what I am doing most of them from complete strangers. Thank you to all of you who shared messages of support. Our family was blown away with the support and humbled to see the care and concern of many for our plight, and the plight of many good citizens in New Zealand.

A number of supporters have been extremely generous. There have been suggestions and practical tips to help deal with stress and anxiety (thanks Juana from The BFD), multiple offers of financial assistance should we require it, offers of a holiday spot for the family this summer, offers of work, offers of help setting up a small business and many new contacts and alliances formed. Frankly, I’ve been astounded by the love and generosity of these people many of whom have come from the Christian community, and most who do not know me personally.

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Love Your Neighbour and Get Your Vaccine?

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One of the most common arguments that has been repeated again and again across the last year and a half is that we should all get vaccinated to protect the vulnerable. Or in Christian circles, we should get vaccinated as an act of love for our neighbours. The expanded version goes on to talk about how we might not be worried for our personal health with respect to COVID, however, if we are unvaccinated and gather in groups, we place others at risk. We should not stubbornly hold on to our personal rights and preferences at the expense of others. To do so would be unloving and selfish. If we can reduce the risk that others face from COVID why would we not get the vaccine? Some even go further and suggest that because of these considerations, it is right and just for the government to mandate vaccines for large swathes of the population.

While I can see the appeal of this kind of argument, I am convinced that this reasoning is massively inconsistent with the Biblical framework for ethics.

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A Parable…

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Dear Pastor,

I am having some trouble with my wife. I commanded her to wear a chicken suit every time she leaves the house, but she refuses. Can you please tell her to submit to my authority since wearing a chicken suit is not sinful and would not hinder her from proclaiming the Gospel? In fact, quite the opposite. I believe this is a loving thing to do as it would bring joy to many people and open a door for sharing the Gospel. She can tell people “I’m a Christian and look how I’m submitting to my husband. Don’t you want to want to become a Christian, too?” Surely this kind of submission to authority will win many people to Christ. After all, we have been told this by many famous evangelical leaders, so it must be true. Thank you for understanding. My wife and I await your speedy reply.

Thanks,
I. M. Consistent

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