In response to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and others saying that unvaccinated people aren’t listening to God (suggesting that there are no biblical grounds to reject the new vaccine), I put together a very brief video that was removed from YouTube within an hour. You can view it here. Here are the highlights:

Although I appreciate those who have a similar stance, it’s important to look at both sides, especially in light of Romans 14 that deals with not judging others on matters not clearly outlined in Scripture.

Responsibility Ultimately Falls On Us

I love studying microbiology. Everything from autophagy to creating energy in the mitochondria fascinates me. Granted, I’m not an expert on this topic, but I have learned over the years that the medical industry is not always focused on health. That responsibility often falls on our shoulders.

Sadly, when we do our own research and question science (by the way, a tenet of science is to question science), the media mocks and scorns us. When Big Tech, Hollywood and the media ban, remove, falsify, and fact-check the other side, that’s a big red flag. Why aren’t they open to opposing views? So much for tolerance.

Most understand that all vaccines come with warnings and cautions and that the good usually outweighs the bad. So why are those wanting to wait for more information on these brand new vaccines scorned and ridiculed? From pericarditis to blood clotting, the side effects are real. Shouldn’t we do our due diligence and investigate, and at least listen to whistle blowers such as Jodi O’Malley? Listen to the scientific debate? Why so many doctors and nurses are willing to lose their job rather that be forced to take the jab? 

The Temple of the Holy Spirit

I asked my own doctor, who has been a pro-vaccine physician for thirty years, his thoughts. He not only cautioned me against the mRNA, but added that he is not seeing any difference between the unvaccinated and the vaccinated as it pertains to their level of sicknesses. Granted, if you ask nurses and doctors the same question, you will get different responses, but I’ve noticed that those with bias and skin-in-the-game seem to sway the numbers to support their view. This is why I do not trust the death rate numbers. We are told that such and such died of COVID, but how do we know that they wouldn’t have died from the flu or pneumonia? Or died with COVID, but not from COVID? I’m not minimizing even one death, but wisdom encourages us to evaluate what we are being told.

When Trump initiated Operation Warp-Speed, there were (and are) good people on the medical teams whose heart is to simply help people, but in the mix, there is also Big Pharma with big agendas. Many people are simply trying to find a balance between wisdom and folly, and faith and presumption.

Wisdom also reminds me that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Things such as mercury (thimerosal) and formaldehyde have been traditionally added to vaccines to prevent bacteria from building up in the vial, and aluminum was added as an adjuvant to excite the immune system. Mercury was eventually removed, except for in the flu shot. Many products are removed after being approved, thus showing that we don’t always get it right. (I went into more detail about the ingredient in this video.)

Some of the ingredients occur naturally in our environment, but I’m not sure how wise it is to put them directly into our bloodstream on a regular basis. Because they break through the blood-brain barrier, many even speculate that these types of ingredients could be fueling autism, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. The buildup of neurotoxins in the brain is a very real problem.

Granted, the mRNA vaccine has a different list of ingredients, but the ramifications of them are still unclear. Many people cannot even pronounce the ingredients. How can anyone be condemned for simply wanting more information on their long-term effects? 

The Fight for Natural Immunity

Why is there little, if any talk, about natural immunity that science has recognized for over 100 years? Where is the outcry against the epidemic of obesity and diet-related diseases that are severely taxing our healthcare system? (And putting people at greater risk for serious impacts from COVID.) This gives me great pause for concern. Could it be that because it lacks the ability to earn revenue, and, as they say, “a healthy patient is a patient lost?” Granted, I know many wonderful physicians and nurses whose ultimate goal is to help people, but not all of them are educated on health.

The healthcare mess that we are leaving for our children will not be corrected easily. Poor health, based on lifestyle choices, is taxing the system. Granted, we shouldn’t shame people and discourage them, but we should motivate and encourage them to improve their health. All of my books on health and fitness are available here as free downloads for this very reason.

Fear-Driven Reactions

Most recognize that much of the hysteria on both sides is driven by fear. When I surveyed nurses, most said that half the people visiting the hospitals are there because of fear. We have a real virus on our hands, but fear is causing a lot of people to react instead of respond. The shaming and belittling that is happening is also heartbreaking.

Whether it’s removing a family from a plane because a three year old wouldn’t wear a mask, or telling grandparents that they can’t see their grandchildren unless they’re vaccinated, fear is driving a lot of us away from common sense. For example, those who have been vaccinated can still pass the virus on to others. Just this week, a friend of mine said that he believes that his vaccinated wife passed COVID on to him and he ended up in the hospital. Of course, no one knows for certain, but it does beg the question: Do we really know as much as we think we know about the mRNA vaccine?

A Christian Response

So what is the Christian response to all of this? We must respect both convictions. Take time and read Romans 14. A sixty-seven-year-old adult may view the vaccine much differently than the twenty-five-year-old pregnant mom who is concerned about the mRNA affecting her as well as her newborn. Most critics are not acting brazenly with a spirit of rebellion (although some are); most I know have compassion for humanity, especially for their own children. A great deal of people are also convicted about the use of fetal tissue.

Whether it’s to see their grandkids, remain on the mission field, or keep their job, solid Christians have sought God in prayer and have decided to get vaccinated. My prayer is that it works for them. I’m not anti-vaccine; I’m for what works.

But we also must respect those who feel forced, manipulated, and shamed into taking something they don’t feel good about. Ultimately, it’s unwise to say that the unvaccinated are not listening to God. Many of them are using wisdom and waiting for more information: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). People need hope and we need to point them to the source of hope.

Some add that the vaccine could be the cure they’ve been praying for, but how do we know that this virus isn’t a judgment to wake us up? Only repentance, not vaccination, will set us free. Take time now, repent and turn your life over to Him. That’s the key to ultimate victory.

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the creator of the WCF Radio Network. His program, Regaining Lost Ground, points us back to God and reminds us that although times change, truth does not. His books, blogs, and sermons can all be found at ShaneIdleman.com.