In preparing to write this letter, I first collected my thoughts, made numerous notes, studied and consulted many sources and pondered long and hard about how to express, as clearly as I possibly can, exactly what I am struggling with. I find it very difficult to look at this past fifteen plus months without feeling very disappointed and somewhat annoyed with how the Canadian church generally has failed (in my opinion) to provide the leadership and direction to the larger Christian community. As I write this, I humbly acknowledge that I might be totally wrong in both my thinking and speaking on these subjects and I am open to hear other thoughts and further clarification.
From March 2020, we all have been subjected to conditions unlike anything we have ever seen before. Since we all lived through these unusual circumstances there is no need to repeat the history of events here. However, based on my own prior experience and education in nursing, I was very suspicious of what government authorities and the media were promoting as factual on a 24/7 basis. However I did concede that the initial lock-down (to flatten the curve) was a reasonable measure.
Of course that “lock-down” went on far longer than the originally promised 2 weeks. All during that time the world did not stop and new information about the “virus” and the risk it posed was being discovered on a daily basis. As it became more and more obvious that the risk was nowhere near as dire as first predicted, and as therapeutics for safe, effective treatment were discovered...AND as such good news was actively suppressed or simply labelled as quackery and conspiracy, my suspicion grew rapidly. Government sources along with the mainstream media continually refused to announce any of this information or findings and kept playing up the message that our only hope was coming in the form of vaccines...NOTHING ELSE! Early treatment was never offered to those newly diagnosed – they were simply sent home, told to isolate and either get better or get admitted once sick enough to need hospitalization. (Even then the vast majority (95% + got better!) No effort whatsoever was ever made to reduce the panic being generated in the public instead, it was weaponized and used to further drive punitive public policy. At the time I began to wonder why there seemed to be no effort (I was ever aware of) on the part of the Canadian Christian church community to explore and expose this deceit. Why no effort to at least explore any other agenda that might be driving this obvious deception. I still have to wonder why?
Once the first restrictions were eased, but before churches were allowed to open with a severely restricted capacity; mandatory masking was put into place. Remember, the “first curve/wave” was completely flattened without mandatory masking. Why, beside the obvious power and public control factor would such a policy be imposed? (Masking has been conclusively demonstrated in study after study to be totally ineffective for situations such as this...and in many cases poses an even greater risk.) By the time the churches were finally permitted to open, many congregations had already decided to remain closed, to omit the fellowship factor, and continue on-line. Those who did decide to open were directed to abide by a lengthy list of ridiculous, damaging and unnecessary restrictions.
Why was/is it OK to place such tight restrictions on church gatherings but not on the “big box stores,” liquor stores and cannabis shops? Once the churches were allowed to open why were numbers so severely limited as well as length of meeting times. Are church goers simply not as bright and require greater protection than say liquor store or cannabis shoppers? Fellowship and socializing were strongly discouraged – why?
I finally got some idea of at least one possibility (not from a church source but from a Nova Scotia government appointed health official). Dr. Robert Strang stated on the record, one reason for the restrictions on such gatherings or meetings is to prevent the spread of “false information” about the pandemic. Basically he is saying it is dangerous to allow groups to assemble freely and discuss what is going on in the world around them as they might spread information that runs contrary to the official government narrative.
You see, the fact is large crowds of people shopping in Costco are unlikely to meet very many people they know...and certainly won’t “plan” or discuss at length any matters of substance. On the other hand, when groups gather where they know each other (such as clubs, meetings and churches) they are much more likely to discuss, plan and support each other. In doing so, that sense of isolation will be broken – isolation the authorities are depending on to help break down all personal resistance and sense of being part of a larger, greater body. The actual comment made by Dr Strang is here: https://rumble.com/vj68up-nova-scotia-official-admits-ban-on-in-person-gatherings-is-to-prevent-sprea.html?mref=6zof&mrefc=4
I was never able to determine why the broader Christian community left these restrictions largely unquestioned and unchallenged. Of course some individual churches and groups did question and challenge as they continued to meet to worship our God and Creator...without government imposed restrictions and mandates. These places of worship, these gatherings proved NOT to be the “super-spreaders” the government claimed...and yet, they were harassed, bullied and persecuted for their efforts. Rather than show broad support for their Christian brethren however, a number of church leaders and fellow Christian believers condemned their actions and celebrated their punishments... Why?
At this point, I believe many Christians were helping perpetuate the deception and the panic...it was/is equally evident in the church as it was outside the church... Why?
By the early part of 2021, the so called vaccine (which had been hyped as our only hope, since almost the start) became all the rage. People kept largely isolated for close to a year, were now at the point where they were not only sufficiently panicked but also desperate enough to do anything in order to, “return to normal.” Back when the vaccines were first being spoken of during the late spring of 2020, I also was very hopeful and I eagerly followed their development and testing. I not only heard the promises in the mainstream media but also followed the reports of other experts in their field – virologists, epidemiologists and immunologists. By the late summer of 2020, I was beginning to hear some very troubling reports (from early testing) as well as speculation of what this might mean. Nevertheless I remained hopeful even as the reports remained very doubtful and increasingly alarming. I gradually arrived at the point where I decided I wanted no part of this – at least not until long term studies were completed and the shots were proven safe.
So where does the church come into this part of the discussion? I am certain that I am not the only person with questions and concerns about these experimental, medically-injected-biological-agents. Since we had been so effectively isolated for many months, human gatherings (where such concerns along with any information might have been shared) were largely restricted. One of the most trustworthy (and safe?) places where people might discuss and question weighty matters is one’s church. I do know many questions were asked but I don’t know how much discussion ever took place or how many fears were allayed.
While I clearly believe the “vaccines” are unproven, insufficiently tested, and very dangerous in both the short and long term, it is not my place to tell others what they should do. I am left wondering how anyone, contemplating getting the shots, comes to grips with the numerous manipulations and strong deception being used to get “needles in everybody’s arms.” Tactics used to aggressively push the vaccination program have included hiding and/or suppressing the actual death toll numbers and serious adverse reactions, offering million dollar lottery tickets, targeting children with free ice-cream & other gifts, offering free dope and reduced jail sentences for prisoners. Children as young as 12 who are legally too young to go on a school outing without a parents permission are being permitted to get the experimental shots without parental consent. Governments are returning civil rights to those getting the shots but withholding the rights of those who are resisting AND there are indications only those who cooperate will be allowed to work and participate in society. All this for a virus that has been shown to be no more lethal than some of the bad seasonal flues we have endured in past years!
As to the experimental injection itself, since it has not yet been approved or proven safe but made available as an experimental medical treatment on an emergency basis only, I believe it is the responsibility of every adult looking to participate in this experiment to fully inform themselves of all possible outcomes and consequences.
For the record, I do not believe this is the mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation 13:15–18. I do however believe this vaccine (and the pressure to have everyone accept it) is the product of dishonesty and strong deception. There can be very little doubt that there are other agendas in play here and which I believe to be very evil. There can be no other explanation for the overwhelming efforts to shut down ALL effective treatments, silence ALL health care professionals – experts that risked both their careers and reputations because they dared speak out against the official narrative. One must at least wonder about the dishonest and deceitful tactics to portray the “vaccine” as safe, effective and approved. Tens of thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have had severe adverse reactions. Already there have been more deaths attributed to this experimental vaccine than to all other vaccine reports combined since VAERS records began to be kept! With this kind of record, any other medication trial would have been permanently shut-down and abandoned already. One cannot see people such as the unfortunate individuals in this video clip, who are just a small portion of those thousands suffering severe adverse effects, and yet some how continue to justify the persistent claims of “safe and effective.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp_zNSEW1wc (see video in link).
Of course what is actually being suppressed is the fact that the vaccine is experimental, is not approved at all and is only being given on an “Emergency Use Authorization” basis. And of course, this explains why the declared emergency (where none actually existed) and why effective treatments were actively suppressed and lied about; big pharma could never have gotten their EUA waiver if there had been no declared emergency or if other effective treatments were already available. Also most people do not even realize they alone assume all risk and responsibility when they sign their consent to participate in this experiment and take the injections. The pharmaceutical companies (making billions of dollars off these “vaccines”) have zero liability - total immunity from being sued. Employers saying you must have the shots as a condition of employment may not be willing to accept liability for any death or disability caused by these shots. You are largely on your own as many unfortunate folks are already finding out.
The other day a very good friend told me she feared for her livelihood and is facing a pending choice between taking the shots and keeping her job or declining the injections and losing her job. Such choices are becoming more and more the fate folks must face. This article titled, “Unvaccinated employees could face masks, segregation upon return to office: Experts” (https://www.cp24.com/news/unvaccinated-employees-could-face-masks-segregation-upon-return-to-office-experts-1.5490223) does allow for the possibility for some of declining the shots at the expense of being treated as a second class citizen (should the employer choose to be so generous).
How about those who, having lost their jobs, were seeking employment as restrictions begin to get lifted. Here is an example of one Canadian government (provincial in this case) using the private sector to discriminate in a way very reminiscent of the issue in 2018 where churches that were denied youth summer job grants because Ottawa felt they were trying to weaken or limit access to abortion. See this link: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=51489&posted=2021-06-24. To give you an idea, this article states in part, “Under the Healthy Hire Manitoba Program, local employers can apply for up to $50,000 in provincial support to help cover the wages of new employees who can attest they have been vaccinated or will be vaccinated.”
So far as I had been aware, the Canadian Christian church has had nothing to say or offer as it relates to the C-19 vaccines though they are clearly a major issue for a great many people. That in itself I find disturbing. As I did some online searching for thoughts & direction on these topics, I specifically looked for Canadian church, denominational or creed sources. Looking at the Evangelical Association of Canada I found very little useful information or suggestion on this particular topic. I did find one reference directing me to articles on cardus.ca and when I went there, what I found was extremely disappointing and annoying. Allow me to express my concerns by first quoting from a couple articles:
1) Vaccination Incentives for the Common Good “We’re almost there! The pandemic’s terrible toll on people’s lives and our country as a whole is coming close to an end. Notwithstanding the talk of a few doomsayers, Canadians are getting out to local clinics, pharmacies, hockey arenas, and other venues in order to roll up their sleeves for the one thing that will ultimately crush COVID-19’s deadly threat: vaccines...
...The key at this stage of the game is to keep our eye on turning that final ball into the sweet, soothing blue of pandemic freedom that comes with herd immunity.”
2) Canada Needs A COVID Vaccination Incentive Program Now “OTTAWA, ON – Canadian think tank Cardus is calling on the federal government to introduce vaccine incentives aimed at encouraging vaccine uptake.”
Under the proposal, each fully vaccinated Canadian would receive a cash incentive of up to $90 to be spent at local businesses and charities. More details are available in a newly released Cardus policy brief by Brian Dijkema, Vice President of External Affairs at Cardus, and Sean Speer, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.”
The only thought that comes to mind as I read these articles is, “such utter rubbish!” I note that in writing such position papers and policy proposals, the authors claim no medical basis for their opinions nor do they have any medical background. Their expertise seems to be only in public policy and labour relations. In this instance, the authors are using the platform of Cardus (described as “an independent think tank”) and seen by many as having a Judeo-Christian background and values – as well as a registered charity - to help sell the government strategy without regard to the science. Indeed, in the article “Vaccination Incentives for the Common Good,” the authors refer to those with concerns (such as I have shared) as “doomsayers” and seems to hand wave us all away with that one pejorative term. I know many Christians utilize this organization as a source of authoritative information – but based on reading this, I find that very sad indeed and I would hope their research went much deeper than these articles appear to have gone.
All the information I’ve been privy to; the data, the testimony of countless experts, the personal experiences of those victims who’s lives have been forever changed and ruined... ALL has been available and freely shared by both myself and others – multiple credible sources of evidence are available to everyone. As adults, each is responsible to inform themselves and make up their own mind and decide for them-self. I believe the most recent moves to give this to children however, is not just ill-conceived but outright criminal and I stand firmly against that.
The last link I want to share is this video: Justice Centre's John Carpay delivers powerful speech at rally for Pastor Tim Stephens This is perhaps one of the most important considerations to ponder as it concerns our very freedom in this country. Here Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms president John Carpay delivers a powerful speech at a rally outside of the Calgary Remand Centre held in support of Tim Stephens, the jailed pastor of Fairview Baptist Church.
As this country again prepares to “reopen” and people eagerly look forward to resuming their “normal” daily activities, there are several important factors I am hoping to see direction and leadership on. First, only a small portion of our constitutional rights are actually being returned – and that conditionally so. Secondly, the government has retained for itself new power it never had before...it has given itself (through this so called emergency) the ability to immediately reimpose all restrictions for any reason it decides is a “crisis” or “emergency,” apparently no criteria necessary. Severe limits on gathering continue to exist in some jurisdictions and new inhibitions are being placed on our ability to speak freely and openly. I believe the church cannot help but be involved in the discussion – either freely and openly or grudgingly and by default.
It seems to me that one of the main reasons for a declining interest in the Christian church these days is a perceived lack of relevance. Canadians today see matters such as those outlined above as both urgent and pressing. Christians look at current events we’re experiencing and wonder how and where this fits into Bible prophecy. Canadians are seeking truthful answers to the problems we are faced with. I believe Jesus gave us signs and prophecies to help us understand the times we live in and also to help us understand He has always known, is totally in charge and always has been. So then, how do the signs and prophecies written in the Bible relate to the events today? John 16 would seem to be as good a starting point as any to begin to show relevance. Verses 1-4 say :
“I have told you all these things so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue, yet a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father or me. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.”
The chapter concludes at verse 33 with, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
In speaking about the church being relevant. If it is silent on the issues outlined and unable to see, appreciate or in any way address any of these concerns – if individuals feel like they are on their own with no idea of where to turn, I am afraid the relevance of the church may not be apparent.
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