OT French Press - Sunday Newsletter

I never said anything whatsoever about Trump and Death Sentence. Fuck ‘em both. I’m talking about the every day, so called average Joes and Josephines who not only refuse to vaccinate, they refuse to follow any and all protocols (including masks) and attack and/or try to prevent others who do try to vaccinate and follow protocols (including masks). The idiots, who because of their selfishness, immaturity and ignorance are flooding hospitals and preventing access to those who need it through no fault of their own. The “Christians” who believe God is more powerful than a vaccine in the fight against disease. I mean, by their way of thinking, the vaccine should be considered a gift from God and eagerly taken, right? Or does “God’s way” only work when it’s convenient? “Real” Christians look out for the well being of others. And I’m just not seeing that in the more tribal regions of our country……

 

OK, you had indicated I was arguing for and rationalizing selfish behaviors by others. Which cases are you referring to?

 

My response was to David French essentially. That’s what this whole discussion is about, not you. What I read is that basically everyone gets to do what they want to do regardless of others and despite what science and common sense tell us, and the rest of us should suck it up and deal with it like “good Christians”. In other words, forgiveness and empathy heals all problems, including COVID. Sorry, I cannot and will not empathize with stupidity in the face of common sense and the public welfare. Nor will I forgive it when it is so intentional and willful. And that’s just an issue I’ll have to defend to my God when the time comes……just like those I condemn.

 

I do understand. I was just mentioning this whole thing to my wife the other day and I used smoking as an analogy. You're free to smoke cigarettes (Mr./Mrs/Ms. citizen). Just not in places that might put others at health risk.

I'll admit, it took me longer than others to get on the vaccination train. But, I and my wife have accomplished this and are glad we did.

 

I really don't want to get into this but I feel I must say that there are many people who call themselves Christian who depart from a Christian path in a major way and if they depart in enough way then I do not call them Christian. You, my friend, are an outstanding Christian probably much better than me. I look to you for setting many of my goals other than, cough cough, politics.

 

You're certainly not alone in that thinking. History has proven that. Everyone has their own will.

 

Yet, it's their own will not to have a will.

 

You're free do do whatever you'd like. Who's stopping you? Yeah, that's what I thought.

 

So, you're telling me you have no choices in life because everything is predetermined? Hmmmm....

 

There is a theory that God set it up that way.

 

My response would be that it never precludes me from praying and having hope that God might answer my prayers in the way that "I" want Him to. God may, or may not, do that. God is God, and I'm not. Kind of like when King David fasted and prayed for over a week that his son would be healed. All of David's friends, family, and associates stood by and watched while he was going though all of this. Then, one morning David woke up and was told that his son had died. He shaved, had breakfast, then moved on with his day. Those around him were in dismay that he responded in such a manner. Essentially, David told them that God had answered in the way that He answered, and that was it. He wasn't going to question God's sovereignty in the matter. That's the dilemma many people have - Christians, and non Christians, alike: Why does God sometimes answer prayers to our benefit, and sometimes not? We'll never know this side of heaven. Faith can be a difficult thing sometimes. The bottom line is, either I believe in God, and His sovereignty/omniscience, or I don't. I choose to believe in Him, even when I don't understand why. Again, God is God, and I'm not. Simple as that.

 

Nice job (seriously). While I don’t agree 100% with your take, it was a well reasoned response, with examples to back it up. No snark, and no back pedaling. And because no one knows (until our personal lights go out) we ALL have to take it on faith whether God and heaven exist or not. Even saying “no” is an act of faith. I wish you could take this reasoned approach with non secular discussions………

 

Disagree. The fact that you are disagreeing is an act of faith all by itself.

 

Thanks, I'll do my best to take this reasoned approach with all of my non sequitur discussions.

 

Being faithless requires no willful participation. The act of disagreeing - in and of itself - is willful participation on your part.