The Mask Issue Unmasked

 

Let me open with a line from the great Mac Davis movie Possums; "...it makes me vomit." Now while the character in the movie was referring to football; I'm referring to discussions of why Christians should dutifully wear masks. The arguments are pretty much all the same, but I'll use the article written by Brett McCracken of The Gospel Coalition entitled, 4 Reasons to Wear a Mask, Even if You Hate It as a template for rebuttal. He makes some good points and its entertaining; definitely worth a read. But I feel it is tainted with false premises, false assumptions, and straw man arguments.

While McCracken hates (as do I) the politicization of the issue; I don't like the spiritualization of it either. He leads off with reason number 1 we should be wearing masks (cliché and predictable): to demonstrate love for our neighbor. This naturally infers that if we don't wear one; we aren't demonstrating Christian love. That's a pretty judgmental view from his high horse. He admits the science behind wearing a mask has been fluid with still no definitive consensus. Those reasons, along with the actual risks of contacting Covid and its mortality rate being highly inflated (finally publicly acknowledged by the CDC) prompt me to forego a mask whenever I have the option; not my "hate" for my neighbor. I may hate the politics in this (and in general), but I proudly identify with the President and countless others who refused to be shamed into masking. Christians of all people should recognize the insidious nature of the far left-wing embracing this opportunity of desensitizing the populace to such control of their everyday lives. Follow McCracken's reasoning out a ways; where does it end? Should Christians mask up every cold and flu season, should we not do anything that in some way could possibly endanger anyone else? What about driving cars, flying planes, serving unhealthy food at a fast-food joint; no more ridiculous than his assertions. His glaring faux pas in his opening paragraph is his lamenting over the lost world pre-Covid and the new normal. Well, I'm not giving up that easily, and anything I can do (including not wearing a stupid mask) that reminds of the less insane world of a few months ago is a good thing. How about demonstrating our love for each other by not kowtowing to false news and faulty science?

His second point about respecting authorities is also predictable, but doesn't actually apply. As the other three points deal with voluntarily behaving as a Christian should (in his view); this point is about not following the law. I wear a mask when required; not when it's optional. So I guess I pass his Christian litmus test in that regard

The third point regarding honoring the weak, may be his weakest. I have attended church and visited secular establishments where masking is optional and people who choose to or not get along just fine. He even goes as far as to play the "stumbling block" card. Anyone with cursory knowledge of Scripture knows that passage deals with who Jesus is. To equate not wearing a mask with hindering someone's salvation is a gross perversion of the passage. I don't know where McCracken stands on alcohol consumption, but I would like to know how many of those who agree with him on this point would also declare total abstinence from drinking too. There is a stumbling block that way too many evangelicals seem very content to leave right in the middle of the road.

In his last point he contends that sharing the Gospel can be hindered if you don't wear a mask. It's really just a continuation of point three with the addition of our selfish attitudes manifested in our freedoms being more important than the lives of others. It's hard to take him seriously when he uses words like "super-spreaders", when I've already stated that so much of the emotional response to the virus is based on erroneous numbers and shaky science. Even John MacArthur declared it is not a pandemic at all if you use the factual data. Those of us who don't follow false news and did some research, realized that there was (and is) no direct correlation between masking or not and the spread of the virus.

So, where does this put us? As Believers it should put us squarely in God's Camp. We know that ultimately, He is in control, so all of this white noise we're all generating means squat. However, since we are learning that the whole "pandemic" tsunami has been driven by political falsehoods and fuzzy math; Christians should exhale and chill. If you don't want to wear a stupid mask (and they're all stupid, some less so; but all stupid) and you have the choice; don't. You (and I) are just as loving as the masked marvel next to us in the pew (maybe more so?). Our freedoms aren't selfish desires. Most are God given and all our precious, and many have died to preserve them. If we can be conditioned to wear a mask today; who knows what we can be conditioned to accept tomorrow?

Things that make you go hmmmm?

 

Watch Out For The Helicopters!

The renown Indian chief Tecumseh posited some two hundred and thirty years ago that if the white man is so genuinely focused on what is best for the Native Americans, than why does he ply him with alcohol which leads so many to a kind of insanity. Possible explanations fall somewhere on a spectrum from ignorance to deception. I see a similar dynamic arising from the Covid situation (I will use as many nouns as needed to avoid using the P-word, as the media has over-applied (and mis-applied) it ad nauseum. Here is the parallel: the government (yeah I know this is more of a states thing, but the paranoia and ignorance have reached a national level) tell us they have our best interest at heart while employing Draconian measures for Covid, but continue letting us do so many other "unhealthy" things.

Think about it. We are being placed under varying degrees of Marshall Law so we don't possibly, maybe, potentially, catch this "killer" virus or give it to someone else. This "killer" virus that has a mortality rate of (well depends on where you get your information), but certainly of those who are actually diagnosed many more recover than not. But whatever numbers we apply, they pale in comparison to the other "killers" that kill more people each and every year. In a typical year, more will die in the U.S. from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, alcohol related (entailing many things from liver disease to auto accidents), drugs, suicide, flu, pneumonia; the list goes on. 

So, as Tecumseh so adroitly observed, if our government cares so much for our well-being, why does it allow (if not promote, a la alcohol and cigarettes) so many to pursue unhealthy lifestyles...anyone?

Seems to me if you are going to tell us how to live our lives and decide for us what risks we can or can't take with Covid; you should be doing the same for deadlier activities. Anyone else see the big Hippo in the room?

Big Brother will allow us to smoke which leads to cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems; allow us to eat junk food which leads to obesity, diabetes, heart disease; allow us to consume alcohol which is probably the deadliest practice if you consider the physical, emotional, criminal and financial disaster it wreaks; and while we're at it, let's ease up on marijuana - it's not really that bad. Not to mention, it has a great profit margin. If you want (I want), let's throw in all kinds of acceptable sordid entertainment; from pornography to violent sports. You think there is an emotional or spiritual decay associated with this stuff? I do. 

Forget about Covid! We all should have been protected from each other (and ourselves) soon as we got out of diapers! They (whoever they are) were on the right track when dodge ball was eliminated from our schools. Certainly this was justified by the amount of violence and gore produced when that squishy rubber ball impacted so many young lives! Clearly we can't be trusted to make rational decisions when it comes to our own lives. There was a term coined a few years ago: Helicopter parents. It referred to parents who were constantly "hovering" over their children. They were so worried about "protecting" their kids that they would end up stifling them. Essentially they traded a potential problem (at least in their minds) for a real one: youngsters that were hindered emotionally and practically as they became frightened to think and act for themselves. Unfortunately, when it comes to Covid, we are victims of a helicopter government.

What should have happened was a much more measured approach based on reality; not projection models (that have virtually all proved woefully incorrect). This misstep resulted in incredible waste of money and resources, not to mention the financial and emotional damage suffered by so many forced from making a living. As a doctor pointed out, you can be too proactive, especially based on models from so many different sources dealing with a novel situation. The proactive aspects should have never moved past social distancing and the option to wear PPE (gloves/mask). All the intelligent data states that gloves are essentially useless, and unless you are going to be around infected people sneezing or spitting in your face; forget the mask too. There has been no direct correlation between the use of this junk and reduction of those infected. In fact, one can realize a false security by wearing them, but actually be worse. God the Creator gave us skin and a respiratory system to combat viruses. In fact, wearing a mask and re-breathing exhaled air, not allowing your nose and mouth to function as designed is not optimal and can cause other problems. If these things were effective, than why don't we all don this cra_ every cold and flu season (thankfully, no one reads my blog, so I don't have to worry about putting that idea into anyone's head).

All of these reactionary moves (closing business, mandatory PPE, etc) should have been contingencies if the situation warranted (which it never would have, as the dire predictions were all just that). Notwithstanding all of the mouth breathers who wallow in stupidity on youtube; there are enough of us who can make intelligent decisions based on facts. As Believers, we realize we live in a fallen world and there is risk inherent in rolling out your bed everyday. But we know God is in control, so we don't worry and don't panic. Just like the McDonald's coffee cups say: Caution - contents hot. We can accept a little gentle reminder and suggestion, but take your helicopters (black or otherwise) somewhere else. I don't think this is some grand conspiracy devised by the left; I do believe however that the media and most of the left are getting all the mileage they can out of it. It's the best smoke screen they could have wished for at a time when the country is realizing the emperor (albeit a democratic one) is wearing no clothes.

Yes, it's been a scary time, but Christians in history have lived through many scary times. And if it's The Lord's will; we'll get through this one, If we don't; guess what, we have a better option. Folks need to be less concerned about masks and gloves and more concerned with Bibles and prayer. For those  who understand this; the only hovering over us we want is the Holy Spirit. We are free to accept or reject Jesus as Lord of our lives. We are (or should be ) free to choose our lifestyle. For those who reject Jesus and choose unwise lifestyles, all I can say is: you can't fix stupid.

Don't Hit the Snooze

2020 started off like no other year I can remember. Before the first month was done, my father and a famous celebrity athlete were dead. In the third month, we’re facing an unprecedented pandemic. It’s as though God was issuing wake-up calls in the first quarter of 2020 on three different levels if you will: local, national, global. At the local level my father's death reminded my extended family and some friends that our time on this little planet is limited and will come to an end. On a national level the death of Kobe Bryant was a reminder for many thousands (if not millions) of people of this reality. Of course the Corona virus takes this message global (and amazingly the media is hyping this more than the death of Kobe, but I digress into possibly fodder for another post). So yeah, I’ll remember 2020 for sure, and we’re just barely a quarter of the way through the year! Unlike the world that perceives these things as random tragic occurrences, we know better. God is in control, and all is well (with my soul). 

My dad was 88 years old and had been in hospice care since August. We knew he was going to die. However, it was still devastating for me personally. Anyone with a loving relationship with their parents can relate. He lived a long and productive life on many levels. He left a loving spouse and children and a legacy of being there for any of us if needed. A large emotional and physical void now exists. You only have one dad. When you lose a parent at my age, it also puts the mirror of mortality right in front of your face. It’s one thing to understand intellectually you’re going to die some day, it’s another to feel it. Especially when all of a sudden people are commenting on how much I look like or sound like him. 

It is also tough as a believer to reconcile what commonly occurs at funerals/memorial services with the reality of life after death. I’m referring to the dynamic where just about every late lamented loved one is surely in Heaven. It doesn’t matter what kind of life they lived, or what they thought about Jesus (if even known); they were a darn good person (at least comparatively) and we loved them - so they’ve earned their shuttle ride to the Celestial City. That’s a synopsis of the theology of far too many these days. Of course we know there’s a bit more to it than that. And as my family (other than my wife and kids) have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, you can imagine my angst at the real possibility of confronting some of these delusions. 

I largely feel that Believers think about eternity constantly. If you’re a true follower of Christ you understand that actions have eternal consequences, therefore the concept is often in the forefront of your thinking. Especially as it relates to what happens after one dies. On the other hand, the world is typically concerned with living for the moment. And when I say moment I would include the lifetime of an individual, as our lives are but a moment in the grand scheme. All that matters is how much stuff you can accumulate and how much fun you can have. Of course most good folks would also agree we should help those less fortunate than ourselves, however it is optional as it is our life to live as we see fit. The only time eternity commands real attention from these people is when someone they care about dies; sometimes not even then. Unfortunately, they often think the wrong things. They often conjure up what I would refer to as a personal semi-universalism: i.e. everyone they have fond feelings for will end up in heaven. This would include people they don’t even know, as long as friends of theirs “vouch” for them (“...you didn’t know Travis, but he was a great guy. He had his problems (drugs, fornication, blasphemy) but he would watch my pet Ferret anytime I needed him. We’ll definitely meet again up there”). I say semi because these same folks will agree that not everyone goes to heaven (at least they got that right), because of course Hitler, Dahmer, and people that abuse little kids are going to Hell. More succinctly: those I like are probably going to heaven; those I don’t may end up in Hell. Even more succinctly: I’m (or you, or all us) are the final arbiters; yeah, it doesn’t work that way. Jesus will decide and we shouldn’t be surprised at His decision, as it has all been laid out for us in His Word. 

So yeah, this year is already one for the ages. Pandemics are a relatively rare occurrence and my father's passing is even rarer (once in the history of the world). But life is for the living; so we go on. Those of us who trust in Jesus go on with Hope. Knowing ultimately we will experience a place without tears or fear. Those who don't, go on as with blind instinct; like a herd of antelope that watch one of their own snagged by a lion, then just start pushing forward again as if nothing happened. If people don't heed God's wakeup call they too will be snagged for eternity by the one that roams the earth as a lion looking to devour the ones "left behind". Graciously, God allowed my family and I to share the Gospel with my dad toward the end of his early life. And during the memorial service and surrounding family/friends gatherings I wasn’t faced with much of the “pie in the sky” theology (maybe “whistling past the graveyard” theology would be a more fitting description). In fact, I was able to share the Gospel and answer many questions from my brother that clearly emanated from our fathers passing and the concept of eternity. So a sad situation from our human vantage point is surrounded with hope. That is some real comfort in these troubling times.