I think that we can agree: The year 2020 has not brought forth the milk of human kindness.
The C Virus situation is a case in point. As we know- There are two opposing camps. Not only are these camps definitely Not on the same page; They’re not even in the same book.
What is often overlooked or downplayed: People have different experiences with the virus. Some die from it; Most have mild to moderate symptoms (according to AARP).
Also – The density of infections is not the same here in NW Mississippi as it is in NYC or the Los Angeles area.
Death is Universal and Unavoidable
Some people have died painfully from this disease. Some others die painfully from cancer or from food poisoning or from multiple strokes or from car crashes. Some people are burned to death, or they’re blown to bits from an explosion, or they die from falling off a plank at a construction site. Tragic, even agonizing, death is by no means limited to this virus.
Some athletes die from overexertion at sporting events. Some spectators have died from heat strokes at sporting events. People have been known to drop dead at an amusement/Theme park. And some of these have had no pre-existing conditions. More than a few military persons die in military engagements. Some of those have been under 25 years of age. Some youngsters are born with severe defects; they die within 6 months. But, their deaths are not reported or publicized to the degree that a COVID death is. Why is that?
Our COVID Response(s)
Most of us will probably agree: Our nation cannot continue on this trajectory for the long term. Those who are the most eager to prolong or expand the mandates and restrictions (at least until after the election) usually fall into one or more of 5 categories:
1) Those who are affluent or comfortably retired or who have financially benefited from this catastrophe.
2) Those who can work from home with little or no problem.
3) Trump haters who blame him for anything and everything associated with this virus.
4) Those who are firmly convinced that the Federal Government is our Savior.
5) Those who believe that if they (and others) catch the virus, they will die a miserable death.
During the crisis, shared observations have been plentiful and diverse. Here is my observation: In the past 4.5 months, I’ve known of more friends of friends who have declared bankruptcy than have died from the virus. I’ve known of more friends of friends who have committed suicide than have died from the virus.
The mantra “We’re all in this together” has become very tiresome. Not every American has endured the same economic adversity. Not every family has experienced the same level of financial devastation. Those who must get back to work are not all selfish, greedy monsters. For many individuals and families, generating income is imperative for their survival. They’ve got to earn income or they’ll become homeless. Greed has nothing to do with it.
Those who remark that this Virus thing ‘has become politicized’ miss the reality that (in recent years) almost everything in our country has become politicized.
BLM and ANTIFA – Domestic Terrorism
There is another variable in the mix.
The past 2 months have been an escalation of severe and violent evil. Call it what it is: Domestic terrorism.
Many whites (myself included) who were previously and entirely supportive of black rights and equality have become very resentful of BLM as well as its diabolical cousin, ANTIFA. This is due to the brutal tactics and destructive methods used to advance their agenda.
Moreover, whites have been pushed and pushed again on this matter. A lot of whites are tired of being pushed. Much of our culture decries bigotry, while pushing an insidious bigotry of its own. For example: If a White Heterosexual Male is accused of anything--- anything at all--- he is Guilty until proven innocent.
Neither has Social Media helped the situation. Those who object to such bigotry against whites (or who express misgivings about BLM) are quickly and perpetually stereotyped as Racists.
For BLM adherents- Taking a knee during the national anthem is no longer enough. Continual, in-your-face bullying and vandalism have become the recent trademarks of this movement.
And they are so proud of themselves for being abusive and obscene!
In connection with an across-the-board loathing for all lawful authorities, BLM has set itself up as the Ultimate authority, accountable to no one.
Pragmatically, BLM is a black version of the Ku Klux Klan. Just as dogmatic. Every bit as hostile and violent.
Additionally—and this is significant--- a portion of the violence and hostility is ‘black on black’. The hideous death of George Floyd has been cited as the rationale for this mayhem and rioting. Yet, the fact is: Blacks have hurt other blacks and have damaged and even destroyed black businesses.
BLM vs. Christianity
There is no Gospel in BLM. Instead of seeking forgiveness for their sins, many BLM and ANTIFA participants go out of their way to maximize their sins. Arguably, there are exceptions to this—but those exceptions are rare and seldom reported.
'Christian Terrorism' is a contradiction in terms. Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Acts 3:15), never advocated terrorism.
Instead of mentioning that Jesus Christ is the only Way to God, BLM communicates an obsession with having its own way 100% of the time.
Never mind the spiritual truth that blacks and whites can be one in Jesus Christ, and that black Christians and white Christians are on equal footing in Christ. For BLM extremists, the Gospel is a non-issue and is certainly less fun than terrorism.
Make no mistake: Like the Black Panthers before them, BLM is determined to forcibly shackle every American to its platform and ideologies.
Contemplate: Nearly all of the recent behaviors of BLM are not even remotely Christian.
You may think I’m overreacting here. But, consider just the first 3 Fruit of the Spirit in Gal.5:22, as applied to BLM and ANTIFA.
Love? Not unless you’re referring to a love for conflict and for brutalizing fellow Americans.
Joy? Only if you’re describing the sadistic joy that comes from looting and tearing down statues and inflicting pain and fear.
Peace? You gotta be kidding me!
Growing Support for The Terrorists
It seems that BLM and ANTIFA are winning more Americans to their cause. Perhaps, a growing percentage of our population is really in favor of what these groups are doing.
At any rate, we need to jettison any such idea that the ‘majority is always right’. Often, the majority is dead wrong.
Ex.23:2- “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.” Frequently, persons get caught up in a crowd/mob determined do evil and pervert justice.
In Acts 19- Paul was in Ephesus. There was an uproar about him. Things quickly got out of hand. V.32 informs us:
“Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.” It’s so easy, and sometimes wrong, to get caught up in mob mentality.
And yet-- for all of this-- Churchgoers who want to gather, so as to thank God for His Son— or to cry out to God together in prayer for His mercy upon our land-- Somehow we churchgoers are the bad guys. BLM is promoted by much of our culture (and a certain political Party) as being noble and righteous and heroic, while those who wish to participate in the corporate worship of God are portrayed as a menace to society and the dregs of humanity.
Churchgoers and Church services have been deemed 'non-essential' while BLM rioting is spun by the mainstream media as something wonderful.
Many in our society denounce the Church for the Crusades and the Salem Witch Hunts occurring centuries ago, but are breathless with excitement over the atrocities of BLM and ANTIFA committed during the past few months.
I’m fed up with the disgusting double-standard here-- and the arrogant hatefulness.
The Politics of Hate
‘Hatefulness’ is the term which most accurately describes our culture at the present time. Plenty of our nation's men and women wear their 'spoiling for a fight' demeanor as though it's a badge of honor.
Another thing: Much of the American voting population is worthy of blame in the political process.
Innumerable Americans deplore the lack of ‘decent’ candidates for political office. Voters cry out for ‘better’ leaders/representatives than what we currently have. At the same time, though, Americans encourage and inflame political pandering by way of such gems as 'You just lost my vote' and 'You're a big disappointment'.
Consider also: How many decent people want to endure all of the political wrangling and mud-slinging?
How many of you wish to be in highly public positions where your every move is subjected to merciless scrutiny, where the press is always nipping at your heels, where social media trolls demonize you over and over again, and where members of your family can be targeted for gossip and ridicule at any time? That scenario/context is a big reason why more decent people want nothing to do with running for political office.
Bottom line: A lot of American voters don’t want consistency, but rather sinless perfection. Of course, if a group of partisan voters wants their candidate to advance cherished pet theories and their personal agenda (no matter what it takes), then they might overlook that candidate’s checkered past. But, for the most part, I see absolutely no grace in the American campaign process. There is actually a glaring absence of ‘Loving your neighbor as yourself’ on the typical competitive campaign trail.
And: Quite a few voters want a personal doormat who can be blamed for everything they don't like about life.
Furthermore, American politics no longer appears to be about ‘the consent of the governed’; but instead the endless tyranny of a majority group over the governing leader, to the point where elected officials are summoned to habitually violate their own conscience in order to satisfy that group.
To be blunt: The bulk of our voters don’t truly desire a ‘public servant’; Voters want a genie who can rapidly transform the USA into a utopian society---with few real sacrifices on the part of the voters. Multitudes of Americans expect the impossible from elected officials---and are overcome with rage when those expectations aren't met. Former political ‘loyalty' can turn to hate in the blink of an eye.
How many of your decent family members or friends yearn for such a thankless vocation or career choice?
Godless America
Most damning of all: Much of the American population has no desire to serve God. Secularists in this nation sneer at the wisdom of Ps.118:8- “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
A lot of Americans would rather idolize fallible human beings than trust God. They would rather wholeheartedly trust human medical authorities (who are by no means unanimous about the details of the virus, mask wearing, etc.)
Tragically: Americans keep on elevating their political ‘hopefuls’ to a place only God can occupy.
Many people blame God for the suffering in the world, all the while ignoring the truth that sinful humanity is responsible for most of this world’s suffering.
Until Americans en masse repent and trust God’s Son, we can count on things going from bad to worse. Jesus Christ never asked anyone for a vote, but He insisted upon being followed. (Matt.11:28-30). His identity as the King of Kings will never be erased by the whimsical preferences of a majority opinion.
I had hoped this virus situation might prompt our society to turn to God and His Son. But, just like the aftermath of 9/11, this horrible crisis has brought about little true change in our nation-- except negative and ungodly change. People are as vicious as ever, and if things keep going the way they’re going, we can anticipate either the eventual collapse of the USA, or another blood-soaked civil war.