Do we really believe in a merciful God who would allow us to be deceived into accepting the Antichrist through medical treatment?
Father Anders
Åkerström | December 7, 2020
This article is published with the blessing of our
Metropolitan Cyprian and is based on a new, more in-depth text written by the
fathers of the Monastery of St. Edward in Brookwood, founded on encyclicals
from the bishops of our Synod, Protocol Nos. 3022 and 3026.
As the coronavirus has spread
throughout the world, a multitude of conspiracy theories have also spread
concerning the virus and the measures governments have taken to stop its
spread. Some even maintain that the virus does not exist at all, but is merely
a means for the authorities or some secret group to control people. Our
bishops have therefore considered it necessary to reach out to the faithful of
our Synod in order to inform them of their pastoral position on this matter,
since these theories have unfortunately created a very troubling division among
the Orthodox, which is precisely what the evil one seeks to bring about. The
article below also includes portions from an eschatological study, The
Orthodox Church and Eschatological Frenzy, written by the Metropolitan of
Oropos and Fili, since these conspiracy theories often have to do with the
Antichrist and the end times.
There is no doubt that the
Coronavirus exists. Researchers throughout the world and healthcare workers who
work with Covid-19 patients every day can easily testify to this, and the
bishops of our Holy Synod have confirmed it. Our bishops have, however, clearly
emphasized that we should avoid a hysterical and excessive reaction to this
pandemic. The hysteria takes two forms: on the one hand, fear of the virus
itself, and on the other, fear of the measures that governments in various
countries have introduced.
Many non-Orthodox live in great
fear of the virus. A non-believer asked a nurse who is an Orthodox believer
whether she was afraid to go to work. The nurse’s answer was that she prayed
and trusted that God’s will would be done. That is precisely the attitude that
we should all follow. Hysterical fear of the virus, or of illness in general,
shows a lack of faith in God. Our entire life and everything that happens is,
in fact, in God’s hands!
The second form of hysteria is
the belief that this pandemic is a trick or conspiracy intended to lead us to
worship the Antichrist. This form of hysteria can lead to serious spiritual
delusion. One victim of this spiritual delusion expressed himself as follows:
“I do not care what our bishops say; I prayed to God and He answered me!”
This hysteria is fueled by
conspiracy theories on the Internet, which in turn are supported by people who
hold anti-Orthodox beliefs. Immersing ourselves in these conspiracy theories
is a sin. Promoting them and spreading them further to others is an even more
serious sin, because by spreading lies and creating anxiety we draw people away
from Orthodox truth. In this difficult time, we should instead redouble our
efforts to show love for our neighbor and comfort them through our quiet
example of Christian faith and strength of soul and spirit.
The unnuanced worldview painted
by conspiracy theorists is black and white and focuses on distrust of
established science and of the media in general. A barrier is created between
faith and science that need not exist. Modern social-scientific research points
to five characteristics of a conspiracy theory, all of which are present in
connection with the Coronavirus:
1. Everything
that happens is seen as connected, as part of a pattern. Everything is
interconnected.
2. Everything
happens according to a plan. Everything is intentional. There is a carefully
thought-out plan, a “master plan.”
3. Several
people have planned this together. They are like “puppet masters” pulling the
strings. Terms are used such as “deep state,” “New World Order,” “globalists,”
the Bilderberg Group, pharmaceutical companies, the Illuminati, Freemasons,
Zionists, and the like.
4. The plan is
evil and is intended to harm us. Major events have major causes. Nothing
happens by chance. “They” are out to destroy and harm us. The virus has
appeared or was created in order to control humanity. Vaccines are created in
order to control and manipulate mankind.
5. We do not
really know what they want or who they are; everything is secret, despite the
fact that we supposedly know their plan and can point out those responsible.
This is the great paradox of conspiracy theorists.
There is also a great difference
between a theory about a conspiracy and a conspiracy theory. Conspiracies
obviously do exist, but they lack the five characteristics described above.
Conspiracy theories make entirely different claims. Examples of well-known
conspiracies from modern times include the Watergate scandal, the NSA’s mass
surveillance of Internet traffic after the September 11 attack on the Twin
Towers, and so forth.
All five of these characteristics
have appeared in the conspiracy theories that have circulated since the
Coronavirus emerged and became widely known in January and February 2020.
Internationally, these conspiracy theories have concentrated mainly on three
areas: the first is the origin of the virus, the second is face masks, and the
third is vaccines. We will deal briefly with the latter two. The first concerns
whether the virus was created in a laboratory for a specific purpose, or so
that someone, for example the pharmaceutical industry, could make money.
Everything revolves around controlling humanity and an apocalyptic worldview
resembling George Orwell’s novel 1984.
Every successful conspiracy
theory always contains an element of truth distorted into falsehood. It is
true, for example, that face masks cannot fully protect us against the
Coronavirus, since the virus can in fact be inhaled through a mask. The primary
purpose of wearing a face mask is to protect others. Wearing a face mask
reduces the spread of aerosols (droplets of liquid that we emit when we cough
or sneeze). This is why surgeons wear face masks during operations. They are
trying to protect the patient’s open wound from aerosols—they are not trying to
protect themselves from the patient!
Researchers are still not
entirely certain how effective face masks are in slowing the spread of the
coronavirus, and Sweden’s Public Health Agency has consistently been doubtful
about their effectiveness, but from an Orthodox point of view there are of course
no objections to wearing face masks in shops or on public transport in order to
protect others in this way. Face masks are not a sign of the “Antichrist,” as
some misguided Orthodox claim. As far as we know, no one in the Orthodox world
ever raised a religious objection to wearing face masks before 2020. This is an
entirely new and strange phenomenon among certain Orthodox Christians.
The vaccine conspiracy theory is
somewhat older than the face-mask theory. Opposition to vaccination is as old
as vaccination itself, but it has re-emerged because of social media and the
Internet. Nearly all medical treatments carry some degree of risk. With
vaccination, however, we must consider the risk to others as well as to
ourselves. Spreading a disease by refusing to be vaccinated is spiritually very
dangerous. How shall we answer before God at the Last Judgment if our actions
have caused others to become seriously ill, to suffer, and to die? The
Orthodox Church does not oppose vaccination—and it never has.
Most anti-vaccination theories
have something to do with microchips and Bill Gates. Some also include
antisemitic elements. These theories contradict Orthodox teaching about the
Antichrist. Do we really believe in a merciful God who would allow us to be
deceived into accepting the Antichrist through medical treatment? No! This
is truly a dangerous idea. It is therefore not surprising that those who
believe in conspiracy theories often fall into depression and sometimes lose
their faith. The world becomes confusing and frightening because conspiracy
theorists can no longer trust in God.
The question is whether anyone
would ever knowingly want to have a readable microchip injected into them. But
even if one were secretly or forcibly injected into us, that would not mean
that we had accepted the Antichrist. Microchips are injected under the skin and
can, of course, also easily be removed. Accepting the “mark of the beast” is a
permanent spiritual mark that we acquire ourselves because we have followed the
Antichrist rather than remained faithful to God, and it has nothing to do with
microchips from Bill Gates.
The Bill Gates microchip
conspiracy theory is obviously nonsense because there are so many different
vaccines. At the time of writing, the EU has approved three different kinds,
and Russia and China both claim to have their own effective vaccine. Does Bill
Gates control all these governments and all the pharmaceutical companies in the
world? Do all vaccines contain microchips, or only some of them? How are we
supposed to know? All of this collapses under the weight of its own absurd
implausibility, except for someone who is a conspiracy theorist exhibiting the
five characteristics listed above.
To get around this problem,
conspiracy theorists claim that Bill Gates is only part of a “secret group” of
people who, with the help of all the world’s scientists, control all the
world’s governments. “They want to vaccinate us so that they can control us” is
a common theme. Exactly who “they” are is never explained. Instead, conspiracy
theorists advise us to “trust no one and question everything.” This is very
dangerous advice. Even in everyday life, we trust people. We trust cooks, bus
drivers, and pilots without questioning their competence. We go to a restaurant
without believing that the cook wants to poison us, that the bus driver is a
suicide bomber, or that the pilot wants to crash the airplane. The idea that we
possess the knowledge to question everything and everyone is sheer pride!
Conducting “research” on the
Internet into these theories is a waste of time, time that we could have used
for prayer and works of mercy toward our neighbor. The only ones we need to be
concerned about are the demons, who shamelessly desire our destruction. We can
identify their work within us by increasing our prayer and our spiritual
reading. Wasting time investigating conspiracy theories is a victory for the
demons because we are not using that time for spiritual work.
These theories are therefore
nonsense, but the urgency surrounding the development of effective vaccines
naturally raises serious questions about safety. The scale of the medical
testing of these vaccines is unprecedented, but there is, of course, still some
concern that the trials have been too short to reveal long-term side effects.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to distinguish our legitimate concern about this
from conspiracy theories. Some are convinced that compulsory vaccination
against the Coronavirus is a sign that the Antichrist is coming, but in doing
so they forget that other vaccines have been compulsory in European countries
such as France and Italy for several years, and that some countries do not
permit entry without proof of vaccination, as with visas to the United States
for stays longer than those allowed on a tourist visa.
This brings us to our final
point. As Christians, it is our duty to obey the government, so long as its
laws do not conflict with the Orthodox Faith. As we have already said, the
Orthodox Church has never opposed hygiene, handwashing, face masks, or vaccination.
As for societal “lockdowns,”
these have varied from country to country throughout the world and have
affected the life of the Church here on earth because they have prevented the
faithful from practicing their religion. Many of us have been deeply concerned
about the whole idea of a “lockdown.” Even the scientists who have advised
governments around the world have disagreed about its effectiveness. Some see
lockdowns as a solution for stopping the spread of infection, while others
point out that a “lockdown” leads to more deaths from other health conditions.
We must not, however, seek comfort and reassurance in conspiracy theories
directed against “lockdowns.” First and foremost, we must place our trust and
confidence in God and in those whom He has appointed to be shepherds over
us—our bishops!
It is important to remember that
each bishop speaks only to the faithful in his own diocese. He responds to the
situation in his own country. Some of our bishops may be more “anti-lockdown”
than others because of the situation in their dioceses. This is why it is so
important to read and follow the encyclicals that all our bishops have signed
together. These provide us with general guidance—more country-specific guidance
comes from our own bishop, and in our case Metropolitan Cyprian.
In Sweden, the government is not
currently persecuting the Orthodox Church—the restrictions that have existed
and still exist apply to all “public gatherings.” Following the rules in our
country is not anti-Orthodox. We may not “like the rules,” but we do what is
our duty. Our everyday life may have changed, but one thing that we will never
change is our faith and worship. Our bishops have said: “The Church alone, and
no one else, is responsible for determining the rules of her worship and good
order.”
Our bishops have said that what
is happening today is probably the beginning of greater difficulties. We cannot
prepare ourselves for persecution by investigating conspiracy
theories—persecution is not a childish game. We must prepare ourselves for
whatever God permits us to suffer by strengthening our faith, living a life of
repentance, and praying for God’s grace!
- Father Anders Åkerström
FAQ — Frequently
Asked Questions and Answers
Does the Coronavirus exist?
Yes! Our bishops say that the
coronavirus exists and can kill people. “Believers who belong to risk groups,
and especially those of advanced age and those with serious illnesses, should
avoid exposing themselves to the virus.”
How afraid should we be of the
coronavirus?
“Fear and panic have no place
among our faithful, clergy and laity. What is needed is the strengthening of
our faith, repentance, calmness, responsibility, and prayer.”
Should we wear face masks in
shops and on public transportation?
Yes, if the law says that we
should. Our bishops say: “If we, as true Christians, have love and concern for
others, let us show it by refraining from behaving carelessly, inconsiderately,
or even dangerously toward others.”
Does the use of face masks
prepare us to accept the Antichrist?
No! “It is the activity of the
devil that prepares the way for the Antichrist, and it has always been at work.
Satan, who works methodically to turn people into followers of the Antichrist,
has no need of noticeable and visible signs in order to gain power.”
(Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili)
Isn’t “controlling the spread
of the virus” just an excuse for governments to control the people?
No. Our bishops are aware of “the
critical nature of the situation and the impending danger, because of our sins,
from the continued spread of the Coronavirus. Therefore, we cannot ignore the
good and anxious efforts of all the responsible authorities who are striving to
avert this evil in order to protect public health.”
I am protected by God. I do
not need to follow the government’s rules.
“When human imperfection or
indifference enters in, God’s grace does not automatically act to restrain or
alleviate it. Grace dwells and acts only where the conditions are appropriate,
where people diligently do what is expected of them, and especially where their
hearts are pure.”
What happens if the government
abuses its new powers?
“Our Risen Lord is also the Judge
of the rulers of this earth, and the rulers and authorities of this world will
have to give an account before Him of how they exercised the authority He gave
them.”
How does that answer help us
here and now?
“We should take comfort in the
fact that [governments] can do nothing against us except what the Lord permits,
and that every evil which occurs by God’s permission ultimately proves to be
for the good, since we are tested so that we may become worthy of eternal
glory.”
What do you say to those who
claim that our Synod’s position is too “pro-government”?
“The Church of Christ is not
influenced by the practices and methods of extra-ecclesiastical schismatic
circles or heretical groups.”
Do our bishops recommend that
we refuse a Covid-19 vaccine?
No. Our bishops also say that the
Coronavirus researchers’ “diligent, exhaustive efforts” are “commendable.”
Do microchips have anything to
do with the mark of the beast?
“Pious Orthodox Christians are
not influenced by various newfangled theories about ‘marks.’ All fear and
anxiety either about a ‘mark’ being introduced through the use of identity
cards and other technological systems, or in general about some visible ‘mark’
on the human body, are a trick of the devil to divert our attention and are
entirely unfounded.” (Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili)
What happens if they secretly
inject us with a microchip when they inject the vaccine?
“The mark cannot be understood as
a mechanical procedure of imposing or receiving an external sign, which
automatically makes us followers of the Antichrist regardless of our spiritual
condition.” (Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili)
How can we avoid being
deceived into accepting the mark?
We must live a life of true faith
in God and repentance: “The mark of the beast signifies an inward process and
relationship, namely: belonging to, participating in, receiving, being
conformed to, and being incorporated into Satan.” (Metropolitan Cyprian of
Oropos and Fili)
Can we become infected with
the coronavirus by receiving Holy Communion?
No. Holy Communion itself cannot
be contaminated or spread infection because it is the Body and Blood of our
Lord and is what the Fathers call the “Medicine of Immortality.”
Must we accept everything that
medical experts say?
No. “[The Church] does not await
proposals from people outside her, not even from ‘experts,’ who, even if they
are not under the influence of a hostile and antichristian spirit, are at best
unqualified to make proposals concerning her functioning and her worship. The
Church—she alone and no one else—is responsible for determining her rules of
worship and good order.”
Will things get worse?
“Everything that is happening is
probably the beginning of greater difficulties. Nevertheless, we emphasize that
nothing should deprive us of the unconquerable joy of the Resurrection and our
sure hope.”
Sources:
1. “Coronavirus and Conspiracy Theories,” Brookwood
Blogger: St Edward Brotherhood
http://brookwoodblogger.blogspot.com/2020/11/coronavirus-and-conspiracy-theories.html
2. The Orthodox Church and Eschatological Frenzy, Metropolitan of Oropos and Fili
3. Encyclicals from the bishops of our Synod, Protocol Nos.
3022
https://www.imoph.org/pdfs/2020/03/20/E20200320aEgkl-koronoiou.pdf
and 3026
https://www.imoph.org/pdfs/2020/04/15/E20200415aEgkykliosPascha20.pdf
4. For those who wish to read more about conspiracy theories
in general, a joint project among European universities is recommended, which
resulted in the book Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories, Michael
Butter, Peter Knight, 2020,
or their book in popularized form as a podcast: Expert
Guide to Conspiracy Theories
Original Swedish source: https://www.ortodoxakyrkan.se/post/vad-ska-vi-tro-om-coronaviruset-vaccin-och-odjurets-marke
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.