Why I Haven't Received the COVID-19 Vaccine

 Over the past several months, I have been repeatedly encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine by some family members, friends, organizations, and even the Federal government. I am over 65 and have several co-morbidities. As of this post, I have refused to do so. Some want to know why, therefore, I will give you a few of my reasons. 

I have listened to the information concerning the vaccine from a variety of news organizations (not simply Fox News which I rarely listen to any more). I have read the CDC's own data bases. I have listened to scientists and medical folks ON BOTH SIDES of the issue. Finally, I have weighed this information and used my conscience to arrive at the conclusion that I will not receive the vaccine now or in the near future no matter what threats the government might use against me. 

So, in no particular order, here are some of my reasons for refusing.

1. The Federal government is seriously pushing the vaccine. Now, in my many years on this planet, I have never seen such an effort on behalf of the government to get people to do something. No matter where you turn, there is an effort to shove you into the vaccination line. Anytime government gets this demanding (even threating the use of "vaccine passports" for travel, etc.), I fear something is afoot. I have studied history and I know what they did in Germany in the 1930s. 

2. The vaccines are not approved but are in emergency use. Yes, I know the Pfizer vaccine has recently been approved but I have other reasons for not getting it. First of all, approval of these vaccines is much too rapid. While I am grateful Operation Warp Speed expedited their manufacture, we have absolutely no idea what they will do to their recipients in 20 years, 10 years, even in 1 year. From my studies, I do not believe ANY vaccine has been approved for human use in such a short time frame from its creation. I received a smallpox vaccination, polio vaccination, pneumonia vaccination, flu vaccinations, shingles vaccination, etc., but these vaccines took years of trials before being approved. I might get the COVID-19 vaccine next year or the year after, but not this soon. I want more testing.

3. Furthermore, the Nuremburg Code does not permit the forced/required use of experimental drugs on human subjects. If our government attempts to mandate every citizen receive the vaccine while it is still experimental, that would be a violation of this code. I sure have heard the word "mandate" quite often over the past few weeks. 

4. There are cures, apart from the vaccine, for COVID-19. Several doctors have used Hydroxychloroquine and Zinc successfully as well as other long-approved drugs to cure COVID-19 patients. These drugs have been downplayed in the media simply because President Trump mentioned them early in 2020 (and I'm certain he received his information from medical folks). 

5. Even if one catches COVID-19, the mortality rate is extremely low (less than 1% of those who have it). If I ever reach the decision to receive the vaccine, I would want to first be tested for COVID-19 antibodies since I may have had a mild dose of the illness in early 2020.

6. The vaccines are less effective than true antibodies.

7. Receiving the vaccine does NOT guarantee that you will not get COVID-19. Yes, in most cases, the vaccinated individual receives a milder form of COVID and avoids the hospital. But that is not true in all cases. So, even with the vaccine, there are no guarantees.

8. If I recall correctly, the three leading vaccines in the United States (Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J) are not actually vaccines like other vaccines we receive. In the other vaccines, we are given a small dose of the disease so our own immune system can develop the antibodies in preparation of battling a full onslaught of the illness. The COVID-19 vaccines manipulate the human RNA. Can anyone be certain as to the impacts on the human body by such a procedure? What about in a year? Maybe 10 years? See item 2 above.

9. The only approved COV ID-19 vaccine at this time is Pfizer. In its development and testing, this vaccine utilized cells from partially aborted babies. I am completely opposed to abortion and such usage to me if reprehensible. Some might argue that is true for other vaccines as well. If it is, I was unaware of that fact at the time I received those vaccines. In this case, though, I found this out BEFORE I received a vaccine and I will never knowingly support abortion in any form, even in this case.

10. Referring back to #1, the government and the media appear to doing all they can to keep COVID before the public eyes. They continually push fear. They tell us to wear one, two, or even three masks when the cloth masks used by most folks do NOT prevent the transmission of the bug. They tell us to keep 6 feet apart when more recent studies indicate that distance should be at least 20 feet. They constantly predict super spreader events and have been proven wrong (e.g., Sturgis). Our officials do not practice what they preach (parties without masks or distancing; President Obama's huge party; the Speaker frequently not wearing a mask while demanding members of the House do). Something is wrong with this scenario. The pandemic is never ending because political leaders have found they can use it to their advantage to gain more power. Now they wish to divide the populace into the "I have received the vaccine" and, supposedly, "antivaxxers". Well, I am not an antivaxxer. But my conscience tells me something is amiss with all of this and, for now, I will not cooperate.

It has been pointed out that I am awaiting a kidney transplant and one of my daughters, who has been vaccinated, has graciously volunteered to be my donor. From this comes two questions: first, since she has the vaccine, won't I be receiving it indirectly via the transplant? Second, how can I take her kidney but not the vaccine and possibly die soon from COVID-19? Wouldn't that be a shame for her to lose a kidney because I refused to get vaccinated?

The answer to the first question is fairly simply. She, guided by her conscience, chose to receive the vaccine. I had, and shouldn't have, any say in that matter. I have no issues with folks who get the COVID-19 vaccine. Each person must act on his own conscience. Does that mean I will be affected by the changes to her RNA in the transplant? I have no idea (nor does anyone else due to the lack of testing) but I trust the transplant team to make these decisions.

The second question is a bit more difficult. COVID-19 aside, I have asked my daughter on numerous occasions if she is certain she wishes to be a donor. I fear her giving up a kidney at such a young age. Each time I mention it, she says yes. Again, this is her decision. She knows I will not be upset if she backs out at any time. 

And, yes, even with the transplant, I might die in a year from COVID-19. Of course, I might also die the day I leave the hospital from a car accident or from a heart attack (more likely) or some other ailment. No one, but God, knows what the next day will bring to your life. I will not live in fear of death for I have a Savior no matter what happens to me. 

Again, each person must follow his conscience. My conscience tells me now is not the time for the vaccine.

The Sins of America: #3 Gender Identity

 Having lived seventy years, I have been required to fill out numerous forms: medical, employment, student, government, etc. For most of my life, these forms all contained one very easy question to answer. In fact, all you had to do was choose a box and check it. The question (in question) was: "Gender". Of all the information those asking for the completion of the form wanted, that was surely one of the simplest to answer. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

Instead of being male or female, forms now let you choose "Other". In some cases there are even more possible selections. "Transwoman", "Transman", and so on and so forth. In my humble opinion, having more than two choices for this category is ludicrous. It doesn't align with biology and certainly does not align with Scripture. And, yet, here we are in our American society. Not only are we permitting such labeling, we are also promoting it. Somehow, after six to eight thousand years of existence, humanity has "evolved" into more than two genders. Wow! How and when did this happen?

I do not profess to be the most holy man who ever lived. I sin. I make mistakes. However, I do my best to sync my conscience on various issues with what GOD has said rather than what MAN might think. It is no different on this issue. God has created two genders of humans, PERIOD. He tells us this first in Genesis 1 when He creates male and female. He elaborates on that very creation in Genesis 2 again with male and female. Every human born since Adam and Eve has been and will be either male or female. That is God's plan, His decree. He will not alter it. He will not create a third, fourth, or fifth choice. When conception occurs, God has ordained you either to be male or female.

Our society hates being told there are things in their life they cannot change. TOUGH. Time to grow up! I can't really change my eye color. I can't tell everyone I have dark brown eyes when they are clearly blue. I can't claim to be a basketball star 6' 10" tall because (1) I'm not that tall and (2) I stink at basketball! Like other young boys, I wanted to be a major league ballplayer. I can CLAIM to be one, but I am not. I never could hit the fastball. That is a skill God did not grant to me any more than he made me very tall or gave me brown eyes. 

Yes, He has permitted some freedom with our being. He enables us to gain or lose weight, firm up our body via exercise or not, and care for our teeth or let them rot. But we can't change when we were born, where we were born, to whom we were born, or what we were at birth. You are either a male or female.

Biology confirms this. Your sex is determined at conception. If the resulting union of the male and female reproductive seeds contain the "XX" chromosome you WILL be a female. If it is the "XY" chromosome, you are a male. You can have as many surgeries as you desire and take as many drugs as you wish in an effort to be another gender, but you CANNOT change those God-given chromosomes which identify you as male or female. Of course, most of us identify another person's gender by their physical appearance. This is also God-given. To be blunt, if God gives you breasts that develop and a vagina, then your chromosomes contain the "XX" chromosome and you are female. You might remove your breasts in an effort to look like a man, but you are still what God intended you to be: a woman. If, instead, God has given you a penis, then you have the "XY" chromosome and you are male. You might have your penis removed and breasts enlarged to appear to be a woman, but you are still what God intended you to be: a man.

From the beginning of your existence, God has settled the issue of which gender you are to be in life. That is HIS plan for YOU and it is a wonderful plan! To make any effort to change your gender is to curse God for what He has done, accuse Him of treating you wrong, and attempting to live your life as YOU want to live it, not as He wants you to live it.

Today in America, we have many attempting to change their gender by various means. Many have been deceived by Satan and others who have undergone such "transformations". Some simply dress like the other sex. Some undergo surgery and hormone treatments, spending tons of money. There are several testimonies of individuals who have tried the latter approach and, in a few years, regretted their actions. Anyone who believes they can live their life by rebelling against the plan of the Almighty will, at some point, realize the poor choice they have made. I pray those individuals come to this realization prior to judgment day.

The root cause of this problem is very much the same root cause for abortion: men desire to live their lives without God in whatever way they so choose. They don't like their gender so they reject what God has created and attempt to fashion their own creation. They worship themselves, the creature, rather than the one true God.

I know this article will upset some and folks will say I am "transphobic". No, people who are going through such "transitions" do not scare me. They should be heard and treated with respect. I do not hate those struggling with their gender, rather, I grieve for them. But, as I said earlier, my conscience is captive to the Word of God and that Word is clear on this subject. Denying there are only two genders or claiming God made you the wrong gender is denying the very will of God. Those individuals are in rebellion against Him and, as a minister of the Gospel, I am to call them to repentance for their actions.

And so, I close with such a call. Will you confess that you have sinned against the Almighty by deciding to live your life as YOU want it to be rather than as God has designed you? Will you, then, call upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Savior of any sin, and asked Him to save you? That is my plea.

The Sins of America: #2 Homosexuality

 I am certain this will be a poorly received post and that name calling will commence soon after its publication. Permit me to say at the outset, I am not a homophobe. I do not fear homosexuals. I'm not afraid of catching some disease from them or being forced into their lifestyle. What they do with their private lives is their business. Our government has even given them legal authority to marry. Nevertheless, I believe each of us should strive to live within the boundaries our God has given us. Because of that, I pray for those caught up in this sin. Failure to repent from this offense will bring His judgment. Have no doubt; when it comes to homosexuality, His Word is very clear. I will attempt to be as brief as possible.

Both Testaments of God's Word condemn the behavior. Probably the most recognizable portion of Scripture on this subject is found in Romans 1:26-27.

"For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

God made us either male or female. He did not join together two men or two women. No, He brought together into marriage one man and one woman. They are to become one flesh. Pursuing sexual relations is to unite the pair, bring pleasure to each partner, and provide for the procreation of the species. 

As God has noted in multiple places in his Word, anything apart from this structure is a deviation from His design. Just observe from the above passage how God describes homosexuality.

"dishonorable passions"
"exchanging natural relations for those that are contrary to nature"
"gave up natural relations"
"were consumed with passion for one another"
"men committing shameless acts with men"

Unfortunately, some do have such passions for the same sex. Others are tempted into such a lifestyle by the desires of others. Nevertheless, this is NOT God's design but man's desire. Such desires are the result of being sinful creatures living in a sinful world. However, having such a passion does not DEMAND/REQUIRE you to submit to it. Those who find they have an attraction for the same sex need to flee to the Lord and ask for deliverance from this mindset. 

Needless to say, marriage is ALWAYS between a man and a woman. That, too, is God's desire and I may say more on this in a subsequent post. Be assured, however, even though our government may call homosexual marriages legal, God calls them immoral. You must choose whether to follow your own sinful desires or God's sovereign design.

Homosexuality is NOT normal; it is sinful. It is an act of rebellion against God for it exalts the desires of man over the designs of God. It is men (and women) saying THEY know what is best for their life and pursuing it no matter what God has commanded. Such sinful acts against the Almighty will not escape the judgment. If you are caught up in homosexuality, I plead with you to examine God's Word, repent of your sinful behavior, and turn for forgiveness to Jesus Christ. He will NOT ignore unforgiven homosexual behavior when the books are open on the last day.  

The Sins of America: #1 Abortion

Now is a horrible time in our nation. We are very divided and, I fear, we may be on a downward spiral that will only end with our country's demise. I hate to think of what America may be for my grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I fear God's hand is about to bring judgment upon us for our many sins. We call evil good and good evil. For years, we have put our fists in God's face, essentially telling Him we will live any way we so choose. Such rebellion begs the wrath of the Almighty. To this point, He has been merciful and His hand has been stayed. How much longer before He brings down His judgment?

Until He does, we have time to repent. We have the opportunity to turn from our evil ways and call upon Him, asking Him to rescue our country. We need to God-sent revival. We need to Christians to take a firm stand against anything our nation supports which God does not.

To say something is LEGAL is not the same as to say it is MORAL. Yet that is what we have done for many years. I'm convicted to jot a few posts in this BLOG on this matter. I'm calling them "The Sins of America". I intend for each one to be straightforward, easy to read, and my opinion based upon my understanding of the Word of God. I'll do my best to limit my Scripture references as well as theological terminology.

So I begin with what I believe to be the greatest sin of our land: ABORTION.

It is time the debate on this subject ends. Even before 1973, it was a hot topic and has remained so for almost 50 years. But, modern technology should squash the differences in the argument. Abortion at any point of pregnancy is destroying human life. PERIOD.

If you don't believe this, just think rationally about it for a moment.

1. What is that thing in the woman? Is it a monkey? Perhaps a shark? Maybe a bird? I know, its a Martian. Someone will blurt out "it's a fetus". The only reason they use the term "fetus" is to disguise what every expecting mom calls it: "my baby". It is human life at its earliest development. It isn't long before the brain has brain waves and the heart has heartbeats. It is truly a human at its very beginning. 

2. Modern microscopic pictures in the womb affirm this truth. What makes this newly conceived human different from a one-year old is only its growth. If nurtured, it, too, will be a year old soon. Quit trying to make it something it isn't (e.g., "clump of cells"; while that's true, the phrase is used to remove the "human" from the listener's ears. It is a clump of HUMAN cells, hence, it is human.).

Unfortunately, we have politicians in 2021 who are promoting not only abortion but also the killing of the newly born (infanticide). How ridiculous are the arguments in support of such practices. Every true follower of Jesus Christ should be outraged that we continue to permit and even support these horrific acts. 

Immediately, I can sense the incoming arguments.

1. What about the life of the mother? Per studies, a very rare occurrence if ever.

2. What about rape or incest? Horrible crimes but the child is not at fault; the attacker is. Terminating the life of the unborn solves nothing. If the mother does not wish to raise such a child, then put them up for adoption. Abortions of babies who are the result of rape or incest are also very rare (I've never heard a number higher than 3%).

3. It is a woman's right to choose what she does with her own body. Yes, until that body is no longer JUST her own. Apart from rape or incest, the woman has means of not becoming pregnant. She can say "no" or use some form of protection. That's her right to choose. But, once the choice is made, she must accept the responsibilities associated with that choice. (You shall reap what you sow).

Abortion on demand is done for whatever reason a female wants it down. Abortion is sacrificing your child to your god. Who is your Molech? (In Israel, if a person sacrificed their child to this false deity, the person was to be put to death; Leviticus 20:1-3). Perhaps your Molech is a god of finances (you don't want to spend any money on a child). Perhaps he is a god of pleasure (you just want the sexual experience without the child). Maybe he is a god of enjoyment (how will you enjoy yourself if there is a child in the mix?). If you don't want the responsibilities of parenting, don't get pregnant. 

Yes, raising a child is an impact to your financials, to your time, to you ability to be alone and enjoy certain activities, so on and so forth. Consider the cost before you act. Don't kill your child later.

I've often wondered how anyone could believe abortion is somehow a justifiable act. Pretend you are standing pregnant in the very presence of Jesus Christ. Do you honestly believe He would give you permission to slaughter that child before it is born? If so, you need to read the Gospels. And therein, I believe, is the true root of the problem. WE WANT TO BE OUR OWN GOD. We want to do whatever we want to do whenever we want to do it and not be held accountable. The one true God has no place in a life governed by such principles.

Let's repent of this sin. Christians. I call on each of us to pray for the termination of this heinous act. Let us find ways to peaceably call our nation back to God and end this practice. 

I begin by calling on President Biden who claims to be devout Catholic. Your church opposes abortion. Prove your faith, sir, by your works. Do everything in your power to have abortion outlawed in our country. 

Regrettably, I will not hold my breath waiting for that to happen.