In regards to properly worshipping the God of the universe, it is not readily apparent that one may claim to believe something without acting that belief out. Many people may state things as a belief, but they do not act these things out. As a Christian, to the best of my ability, I strive to behave as if God exists. Trusting in God and following the word of God are paramount necessities to truly act in a manner that implies the existence of God. In following the word of God properly, we cannot let our own emotional responses and desires cloud our judgment in regards to worship. Omitting events and situations from having the potential to align with scriptural instruction based on how we feel about a situation is universally detrimental.
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” – Matthew 24:43 KJV
This section of the book of Matthew describes the return of the God of universe being akin to a thief in the night. If the owner of the house had known that the thief would come, he would not have allowed the thief to rob him. The implication of this story is that in order for the God of the universe to be worshipped properly, one should behave in a manner which would be conducive to the return of God. Behaving in this manner includes following the commandments and living in accordance with Scripture.
History
The God of the universe is described throughout many faiths and religious texts, the most notable being the many translations of the work commonly known as the Bible. God is comprised of three persons Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. The Father is the element of God that loves you, judges you, and is that which you contend with such that the nature of that contending is divine. The Son is the element of God that is bounded in a particular time of place to transcend the notion that it is a limitation to have been without limits. In experiencing the limited human condition, fully until death on the cross, the Son of God is the greatest possible redemptive sacrifice made so that humanity many have the greatest possible future. We are called to walk the straight and narrow by emulating the divine ideal which has been acted out by the Son. The Holy Spirit element of God is the spirit by which the parts of you, that you know are not good for you, die. Once the redemptive spirit has acted in you, the dead parts are taken away so that new life, which is good for you, may flourish. The elements of the God of the universe, as stated in this manner, are distilled from the collective history and actions of humanity. These elements are then documented in text, known as the Bible. The divine generational wisdom of our ancestors should not be quickly or easily dismissed.
The Bible contains the highest concentration of objective truth along with the most accurate description of the structure of reality known to exist. The Bible is known to be an ancestral text dating as old as the history humanity itself. The Bible is also the most influential text in history of humanity. The survival and propagation of the Bible for such a vast stretch of time, combined with the probability of something of that nature happening, is very good reason to give this text serious consideration for those that intend to behave as if God exists along with those that do not.
The case for religious exemption regarding government mandated injections in exchange for the ability to conduct commerce
Introduction:
Global economic systems are based on the idea that currency is used as a proxy store of value with the intention of exchanging goods and services. As an employee, my services are provided to my employer in exchange for the agreed upon conditions as stated within my offer of employment letter. This relationship meets the definition of commerce exactly.
The biblical book of Revelations is an abstract account of what the ends of times may entail. There are many warnings and great wisdom embedded in the text. This wisdom is applicable and beneficial when acted out. Regardless of whether or not the end is near, the idea is that if you behave in a manner which reflects that potential, life will have a significantly better outcome than if you were to take any other course of action.
The reader is encouraged to read the book of Revelations to give full context to the following versus, though the idea stands regardless of full context.
Revelations 13:14-18
“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
Here, the book of Revelations intentionally leaves room for the variety of ways that the mark of the beast may physically manifest. The mark is described as taking the form of a miracle and existing on a global scale. General description is provided as something that you receive physically that will be used to identify you, and all will be required to receive it regardless of social class. What Revelations does not leave room to interpret is the fact that whatever form the mark takes, the mark will be a requirement in order to conduct commerce.
Revelations 14:6-13
”And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
This section of Revelations graphically describes the fate of those that have taken the mark of the beast. It also describes the fate of those that do not.
Decisions made solely out of fear or self-preservation
The Bible is an incredible, almost infinitely hyperlinked, text. Throughout this text, the most repeated command in the Bible is to not fear. We are instructed not to fear 365 times throughout the text. The reasons to behave without fear are greater than the number of times that the command is repeated. The overarching idea encompassing the collective life without fear is the idea that: If you are taking the highest possible aim, walking the straight and narrow path, everything that you need will be provided to you. That is a very accurate description of the structure of reality. When you are called to live in accordance with Scripture, taking any course of action which does not align with Scripture combined with that course of action being motivated by fear indicates, on multiple counts, that course of action to be incorrect. In the case of government mandated injections, the mandate is enforced by threat of unemployment. Many people are submitting to being injected against their discernment out of fear of unemployment. In order to properly worship the God of the universe, I am morally obligated to reject any fear based coercion or threat driven means of influence.
Conclusion
Though Scripture may appear as merely ancient stories to those without religious or literary training, the wisdom and truth contained in these text is unparalleled in both concentration of objective truth and description of the structure of reality. Behaving as if God exists, i.e. in a manner in accordance with Scripture, yields the following conclusion: In order to properly worship the God of the universe, one must reject the reception of government mandated injections if the consequence is the inability to conduct commerce. This is basis for my application of exemption. Receiving the government mandated injections for purpose of conducting commerce would not be behaving in accordance with Scripture; therefore, receiving these injections prevents myself from properly worshipping the God of the universe. This essay, by no means, exhausts the Biblical case against government mandated injections.
Footnote:
Any religious leader’s opinion or interpretation regarding ethics or Biblical alignment that was stated or published before injections were mandated does not take into consideration the implications that were presented in this essay.
On detaching responsibility:
In religious context, the responsibility for acting out Biblical instruction falls on the individual. Nobody can act for you. Deferring interpretation to a party that will not be held responsible when judgement comes severs the critical link. Ultimately, each individual is responsible for their belief and interpretation. This is known as discernment. Though I respectfully consider the interpretation and opinions of those that dedicate their lives to religious endeavors, I do not defer the responsibility from myself to any other to interpret or validate my belief in Scripture.
Excerpts from the Beatitudes
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
“Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”