If you’ve previously read my posts ‘The Nazification of Britain’ and ‘Powerful Illusions’, you will have already realised that I have long held doubts about the veracity of the whole ‘con-vid’ burlesque – a 24/7/365 mummer-show that continues to run ad-nauseam.
My own understanding and interpretations of events are not really relevant to the issues I’m about to cover. Whatever the realities of the recent global phenomena may be, we have all been affected by it, and our lives seriously disrupted.
Tens of thousands of people have lost their livelihoods as a consequence of global precautions that have been far more devastating in their reach than any ‘health emergency’ in the history of mankind. Additionally, whilst many have lost their lives as a direct result of a patented – and therefore man-made – virus the source of which is not yet entirely clear, a staggering number of lives have also been lost due directly to the draconian measures taken by tyrannical governments around the world.
But, enough on that. Books may be written for decades to come, analysing and dissecting the minutiae of these events. My six-pennyworth isn’t necessary here. Instead, I simply wish to explain why, when my church finally opened its doors for the first time in over five months last September, I wasn’t among the small congregation – nor will I be in the future.
I knew that when our church reopened, it would be in full compliance with ‘Guidelines for the Safe Use of Places of Worship During the Pandemic’ issued by the UK government. Some may consider that our church had no choice in the matter but to obey these parliamentary policies – but therein lies the crux of the problem:
When official, secular rulings conflict with what we’re given to understand are God’s directives, who should we obey?
In my view, by its ready acquiescence to those government diktats which directly contravened Christian principles, the church exposed its own fraudulence.
There were those in the church who directed my attention to the book of Romans:
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Romans 13:1
Romans 13:1 is often parroted to justify compliance with unfair rulings, but when those appointed authorities are unscrupulous and unjust it can no longer be relevant. None of the UK government’s mandates may be considered just. On the contrary, they directly contravene Common Law principles, the English Constitution and Bill of Rights and the God-given inalienable rights of every human being.
When rulings issued by our governing authority are repugnant and contradict what we’re told are God’s own edicts, surely His church has no choice but to countermand them. Apparently not. His church capitulated, thereby ignoring its own obligations.
But Peter and the other apostles answered them and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29
So what were those blatant contradictions that so prevented me from joining with fellow Christians in worship, and which have brought into question much of what I’d previously accepted as true?
For ease of explanation I’ll quote those instructions issued by my church, beginning with the obscene, dehumanising masks:
‘Face coverings are mandatory for places of worship – except for those who are leading services or events in a place of worship, and those who assist them, (or unless you are exempt).’
When God breathed that first breath of life into man – as described in the first book of Genesis – it wasn’t through a cloth face covering. There was no intervening fabric reducing or befouling man’s first lungful of air. It was a breath of life, given by God. In addition, the Book of Deuteronomy includes the following instruction:
You shall not muzzle an ox when he treads out the grain.
Deuteronomy 24:4
Interestingly, and as a direct consequence of this law, the humane practice continues in parts of Syria, where oxen are permitted to tread the grain, unmuzzled. Furthermore, in his first letter to Timothy, apostle Paul applied this verse in reference to the fair treatment of ‘… those who labour in the word and doctrine …’.
In full compliance with government, the church also forbids close contact between worshippers:
Do not shake hands, hug or lay hands on anyone.
And
Observe social distancing within the building.
I have two issues with this. The first is what has been shamefully termed ‘social distancing’. Such an instruction ought to be anathematic, not simply to all Christians, but every human being.
In his first letter to Peter, Paul provides a clear instruction on how we must greet one another:
Greet one another with a kiss of holy love.
How on earth are we to do this while six feet apart? In addition, in his first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote:
Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders.
Once again, how can Christians administer such aid to those in need whilst maintaining obedience to government? They can’t. As if these weren’t enough, Christians were also not permitted to express their joy in open worship:
There will be no singing by the congregation, or raised voices.
This appalling rule, given to appease an unlawful political decree, flies in the face of numerous contrary edicts we are given to understand come directly from God. Such as:
Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Psalm 100:2
… be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:19
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, reaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16
We’re told that there are no ambiguities in the Word of God. We’re assured that His instructions are clear. This suggests that, whilst contravention of the ‘guidelines’ of a profane government may solicit an unfavourable response, disobeying God must have way more serious ramifications.
Wasn’t this something Adam and Eve discovered right at the start, to the detriment of all mankind?
Wasn’t it this act of disobedience that subsequently led to the entirety of mankind to be born inherently evil?
Or, have we been fed yet another monumental lie?
Either the Bible is indeed the Word of God in it’s entirety, and thereby the sacred doctrine of His church, or it’s not. There can be no middle ground, in my view. By its ready dismissal of vital teachings, the church casts doubt on way more than its own credibility.
As a footnote, I’ll add one further prompt that appears on my church’s ‘Covid-19 Guidelines’. Whilst the directives shown above reflect the church’s willingness to place government policy above scripture, there is one biblical component they remain keen to uphold – tithes and offerings:
‘We have appreciated most people have been able to give their Tithes & Offerings online, and we would encourage this as much as possible. If this is difficult for you there will be a marked box that you can use as you exit the building.’
My decision to step away from my church caused me considerable distress at the time. However, with time to reflect and to study I now consider that, as with the story of ‘The Emperors New Clothes’, vital truths have been laid bare.
Pebble Pathway 