Have you ever bought something you do not need? Maybe you went to a store and looked at a new appliance or even a car. Next thing you know, you made a purchase you regretted. If you have, do not be so hard on yourself. Often, sales teams and professional marketing campaigns develop ways to sell you something you do not want or need. It is the same old thing, sales representative, gain a certain level of trust by sharing some common background—a home, family or sports team. Then, explain why the product helped them by showing the strength of the item and why it is the best on the market and how you will be missing out if you do not act.

Marketing connected to propaganda can be a dangerous thing. Look at the last two years. How many times have you read or heard “you need this mask!” Perhaps it was a politician sharing, “these restrictions are for you!” The prime minister or a provincial leader reminded the public almost weekly, “we are all in this together!” Various levels of health officers were redundant with “the vaccine will end these restrictions!” Canadians have bought all of this. Their sales pitch worked, many bought what they did not need. What they got was an overreaching government. Many things failed to achieve what they said. Many temporary measures are now permanent within legislation. After all this time, a new product is coming out – Digital IDs. The sales pitch is the same. If you head over to the Ontario Government website (here), you will read information about the Digital ID. It states,

Digital ID is an electronic version of trusted government that provides better safety, more security and stronger privacy than physical identification cards or documents. It can be securely stored in a digital wallet app for smartphones and other digital devices (like tablets or computers) and will let people and businesses prove who they are both online and in person. Digital ID is the foundation that will enable easier access to online services.

These are once again more sales pitches. If you visited the link – you would see in the green benefits poster, the claim digital IDs are convenient, secure, in your control and voluntary. Taking the last two years as an example, we have learned great lessons. First is the matter of convenience. Masks were once promoted as a matter of convenience. They were to be worn if individuals felt it was in their best interest to wear one. Then, convenience turned to inconvenience. By not wearing a mask, a person was denied entry to restaurants, shopping facilities and even health care appointments.

At one time, Canadians believed that their personal health information was secure. However, we have watched the absolute decimation of private and protected information during the last two years. Once off-limits, now open to employers accessing vaccination status and a minimum wage employee prying into personal health information so that a person can eat a meal or purchase what was deemed a “non-essential” item. Speaking of security, how about the leaked report of donors to the trucking convoy being made public? Now people are being suspended and fired for supposed protection of freedom to protest and associate.

The sales pitch for control comes up again. The ad tells Ontario residents, “you are in control.” Were Canadians in control over their bodily autonomy? Their religious convictions? Could they freely move about the country without divulging private, sensitive information? No, they still cannot, for that matter. Further, many only took the vaccination because they felt no choice to comply; this does not sound like control. I wonder how many regret it now?

Lastly, Digital IDs are voluntary. Where have we heard this before? Correct, vaccination. Though Provincial and Federal governments have never officially mandated vaccinations for COVID-19, they came down hard to coerce compliance. People were fired, their rights and freedoms restricted, denied entry to various facilities, and faced significant discrimination. The discrimination came from the Prime Minister of Canada, the media and others. Media outlets portrayed those who did not “volunteer” to get vaccinated as causing harm to society and preventing a reopening. The very leader of Canada went on public record to call those who did not “volunteer” to get vaccinated as “misogynistic, racists who hold extreme views” while the question was posed “do we tolerate these people?” If the past two years have shown anything, volunteering is not what it seems. Sure, you can “volunteer” to opt-in or out, but your life will be flipped upside down if you make the wrong choice.

So here we are. Provinces are not opening, mask mandates are being removed, and things are slowly getting back to normal. Yet, at the same time, lives are wrecked. There are great division(s) across the country and even a rise in various adverse effects of “voluntary vaccinations.” It seems all of this was for what? Well, according to the elected officials, to have a “better and safer society.” If we cannot see how quickly Canada slid into decline over steps for a safer and better society, perhaps we deserve these digital IDs. History speaks for itself – trust is broken, and there is a great potential of harm moving in this direction.

Now, no one knows all there is to know with this new technology about to be rolled out. We can guess, in any case. If you did not have an updated passport showing vaccination, you could not eat in a restaurant. Who is to say, with a Digital ID, if you spend too much on gas for the sake of climate protection, you will be denied fuel for the greater good? Like a mask, you were (in some places still are) banned from certain goods and services. Who is to say if you have made inappropriate comments online you will not be banned from certain settings. It is also possible that since the government will move into a digital ID, your records (starting with the easy, convenient ones), you will not be shut down if you do not comply with their health mandates or climate mandates. Far fetched? Well, tell that to people who have had their bank accounts seized for supplying $20 for a trucker to have a burger and warm coffee. Explain the last two years in Canada, which is no longer a nation strong and free but under significant restriction to the point there is international discussion of placing Canada on watch lists over religious and democratic freedoms.

I am not throwing out conspiracy theories. I am posing questions. Why? We do not know the intentions of why these digital IDs are being brought in. What we do know is that past behaviour usually indicates future outcomes. The government’s performance since 2020 has shown they seize power quickly and often go above and beyond what is acceptable.

Digital IDs may start with a health card and driver’s licence, but talk has already moved into financial, insurance,  facial recognition technology and social credit systems worldwide. Biometric and geo-location technology are also tied into this issue. Many tech firms are releasing articles both for and against such implementation. In short, Digital ID removes the grounds for a free society. It is possible, without safeguards, these IDs may prevent the right to association, assembly and even conscience of religion. If one does not “voluntarily” comply, a person’s ability to get services may be shut off until compliance is gained.

So how does a Christian respond to this current issue of digital ID? First, through prayer and study of God’s word. There is no need to fear. God is Sovereign and in control, even if we cannot recognize it. There was a time no person could buy or sell in the market unless they pinched incense to Caesar. Faithful Christians refused and suffered the consequences but the church remained. So, there is no need to think this is the anti-christ or the end. We are to remember the (true) church will survive – regardless of what comes down the pike.

Another area to remember, we are not our own. We belong to Christ, so we serve Christ and should not get too concerned with these attempts to control the masses. Lastly, we speak up. We make clear our opposition to anything that may affect our conscience of faith. We speak to our MPs, MPPs, and other government levels. This can be done through voice, letters or email.

How will all this proceed? I do not know, but it should be on all our radars. Christians and churches cannot simply ignore these things. If anything, the last two years have shown the failure of the church to simply turn an eye to important matters hoping they would go away does not work. As I said, the fight is not over. The church has much work to do, so let us not get lazy in this dark time.

In His Grace,
Steve

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