A group of people praying as sensitization and COVID-19 vaccination drive is being done across Zunheboto district. (Photo Courtesy: twitter@NagalandNhm/ For representational purpose only)
Atono Tsükrü Kense
Kohima | June 12
Almost 19 months since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the world is slowly beginning to turn the tide against the virus through vaccination. However, misinformation, rumours, conspiracy theories and propaganda about the COVID-19 vaccine has created conflicting viewpoints between religious beliefs and medical sciences.
Labelling COVID-19 vaccine as “mark of the beast” is deterring people from getting inoculated for fear of losing one’s salvation. Although ‘to jab or not to jab’ is a personal choice, there are reports, particularly from rural areas, that Church leaders are reportedly discouraging members from taking the vaccine.
On condition of anonymity, a doctor shared that he had an argument with the pastor and leaders in the village over who were against the vaccine believing it to be the ‘mark of the beast’. “So, I asked them if they would receive me as I have been inoculated and will now come like a beast,” the doctor stated.
Misinformation and Conspiracies
When The Morung Express contacted some youths for their views, Abe (name changed) dismissing the rumours said, “Feel funny about the conspiracy theories. If at all it’s bad, then why any country would, for that matter give the vaccine to its population.”
According to Abe, a nation depends and vouches on three important elements—defence, medical and education, to stand strong among other nations. “It is sheer common sense that no country will kill the three systems first and become weak to be uprooted by others,” Abe stated.
Another youth opined “the conspiracy theories and propaganda are baseless, and something which I don’t believe or agree with. We, as Christians have been praying for a cure, and when a possible protection against this virus has come, so many rumours have started doing rounds which, I would say is ironic.”
“It is astonishing that in this age and time, people believe in such unfounded propaganda hampering people’s access to health services. This manifests our blind faith and how biblically unsound we are as Christians,” stated an exasperated Kevi.
‘Salvation is by faith, not vaccine’
“Vaccine is a personal choice. But to label it as the ‘mark of the beast’ is not faithful to Bible and harmful for public...,” tweeted Kedo Peseyie, Pastor, City Church Kohima.
Speaking to The Morung Express, he maintained that the ‘mark of the beast’ label is not biblical and salvation is ‘only through faith’ and not through some vaccines.
Explaining this in a biblical context, Peseyie said, “The Book of Revelation is very symbolic, so we shouldn’t be interpreting literally because mark of the beast is something very symbolic. Mark of the beast was forced upon the people and given on the forehead and on the right hand.”
However, he said vaccination is not being forced upon the people and humorously remarked “no one has taken the vaccine on the forehead”. He viewed that basically the fear is the loss of salvation; nonetheless, Peseyie asserted “if salvation can be lost by vaccination then that means salvation is not by faith.”
“Definitely, it is not the mark of the beast,” asserted Peseyie and observed “lots of people are not reading their Bibles, and don’t have any understanding of the Bible and are being pushed here and there by every wind and wave of controversy that comes. Their faith is not firmly based on the word of God, but on fear and other things.”
“Labelling of COVID-19 vaccine as mark of the beast is biblically not acceptable, and amounts to misleading and wrong teachings,” said Peseyie while underscoring that “they could be causing the death of people by going against the vaccine.”
Have faith in medical science
General Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council Rev Zelhou Keyho said the world is waging a war against an unseen virus that has taken many precious lives, and that “at this crucial situation, we all must have a clear sense of faith and a good sense of mutual support to and for each other.”
As Christians, “our faith should be biblically sound” and with everyone being affected in one way or the other, he viewed that “if medical science has a way or have found a way to take us out of the crisis we must have faith that it will do us good. Opposing every set of plan and programme should not become our Christian culture.”
“The mark of the beast is a faith issue— denouncing your faith and it is a mark that has been put on those who denied the Lordship of Jesus Christ,” he explained.
“The expertise in vaccines or any medical issue belong to the scientists and medical doctors who are trained. For the Church, we have no authority over that. The Church cannot say vaccine is mandatory, but we support because we care for the safety and welfare of the community. We are not and cannot be in the business of pulling sleeves for injection or medication,” Rev Keyho strongly asserted.
Professing the power of prayer, Rev Keyho affirmed “those who have taken and those who have not taken because of certain personal issue must continue to pray and seek protection from any adverse effect from the vaccine.”
“The vaccine is not the ultimate, God is. We must continue to pray so that God is not put to shame and that our faith doesn’t become a mockery for those whose faith isn’t as strong and powerful as others,” he appealed.
Rev Keyho advised that even if one disagrees, one must not jump to quick conclusions and condemnation. “We are not going to be free from sicknesses and pestilence and trouble. Let us also support each other, be gentle in our words and criticism. We must wage the fight against the virus together. Above all have faith in God and do not give up in believing that God is aware of our predicament,” he added.
This is the first of a two part series.
