God and Nature Fall 2021
Analysis of a pseudo-Christian Anti-vax email |
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By Paul Arveson
Sometimes uninvited spam can be an entry point into another world. I recently received an email that contained lengthy warnings against taking the COVID-19 vaccine. I have no idea where the message originated, but the warnings were couched in pseudo-Christian language. It occurred to me that perhaps we ASA members are in a better position than most to analyze the content because we are familiar with both science and Christian theology. So I made an effort to analyze this one. The first lines in the message were as follows:
By Googling the following keywords, you will understand the sinister technology that is within the C-19 vaccine itself. The words are: profusa hydrogel, microdot vaccines, luciferase tattoo…
Profusa (1) is a company that makes biosensor implants for measuring oxygen levels in patients at risk for peripheral artery disease. "Microdot vaccines" (2) apparently refers to the R&D on skin patches that sample molecules in the blood with microneedles.
The "luciferase tattoo" term may refer to fluorescent dyes that are used to sample vaccination history with a skin patch and the microneedle technology. (You can imagine what some people might say about the name of that enzyme.) All three of these terms are drawn from medical research being done to develop improved tools for continuous diagnostic monitoring of patients. The company websites do tend to "hype" the technology, much of which has emerged from MIT research striving to create innovative solutions.
Sometimes uninvited spam can be an entry point into another world. I recently received an email that contained lengthy warnings against taking the COVID-19 vaccine. I have no idea where the message originated, but the warnings were couched in pseudo-Christian language. It occurred to me that perhaps we ASA members are in a better position than most to analyze the content because we are familiar with both science and Christian theology. So I made an effort to analyze this one. The first lines in the message were as follows:
By Googling the following keywords, you will understand the sinister technology that is within the C-19 vaccine itself. The words are: profusa hydrogel, microdot vaccines, luciferase tattoo…
Profusa (1) is a company that makes biosensor implants for measuring oxygen levels in patients at risk for peripheral artery disease. "Microdot vaccines" (2) apparently refers to the R&D on skin patches that sample molecules in the blood with microneedles.
The "luciferase tattoo" term may refer to fluorescent dyes that are used to sample vaccination history with a skin patch and the microneedle technology. (You can imagine what some people might say about the name of that enzyme.) All three of these terms are drawn from medical research being done to develop improved tools for continuous diagnostic monitoring of patients. The company websites do tend to "hype" the technology, much of which has emerged from MIT research striving to create innovative solutions.
"The message reveals some common confusions that need clarification." |
The rest of the message is composed of five separate letters that discuss “prophetic dreams and visions people received from God.” The "mark of the beast" (Revelation 13) is mentioned frequently, and scary language is often in all caps: “You Must CHOOSE NOW to NOT Take the MARK or VACCINE.” The following quote is purportedly from God:
The implementation of the plans to alter your DNA and make it programmable by something other than Me, your Creator, are here. I control and govern the DNA I have placed within you, but if you allow man to administer anything within your bodies, that will recode your DNA, I will no longer be the controller.
Following this is a lengthy appeal, wrapped in biblical language. I recognized quotes from at least nine verses from all over the Bible. Of course, the technologies mentioned have nothing to do with altering of DNA, and none of the COVID-19 vaccines or any other vaccines alter DNA. The author gets it that our identity is specified (at least in part) by DNA, but then links that identity to God's creation, and claims that altering DNA removes the image of God. This is a mixture of scientific errors, theological errors, and category confusion.
Another “vision”:
In my dream, God took me into the near future of America. …I could see 5G towers monitoring VERY closely the covid-19 vaccinated individuals (victims)… I saw hundreds/thousands of little specs of microchips, [nanobots] INSIDE the covid-19 vaccine, flowing through the shot, and into that individual.
This alludes to another popular conspiracy theory: that the vaccine contains "microchips,” or "nanobots" that will circulate in the bloodstream. This idea was popularized in Michael Crichton's novel Prey and other science fiction that specialized in creating tech paranoia. In the vaccine, "nanoparticles" are the capsules made of polyethylene glycol that contain the mRNA strand for making the virus' spike protein.
Those who get the vaccine are apparently tracked by "5G towers.” It isn't made clear how the 5G towers are related to the nanobots.
As the dream went on, One thing got my attention immediately… the people who'd taken the Covid-19 vaccine, their whole body was glowing an odd color green. I asked God, "What does this mean?" And I saw the word, 'radioactive'.
Well, why not throw in another fearful thing, radioactivity? The more the scarier.
Also, the word "LEGION???" was written all over them as well! Bible students will recognize this as an allusion to the legion of demons in the Gadarene demoniac that Jesus healed (Mark 5:9).
Yet another dream:
The Lord took my up higher in the dream.... And the million's of people, who'd priorly were covid-19 vaccinated and being controlled by the 5G towers… BEGAN to grow to be VERY violent and AGGRESSIVE, VERY beast like… [sic] In fact, the news called it, "An outbreak" and that those same people (those with covid-19 vaccine in their blood) were deemed "INCURABLE!...
If this scenario resembles the film Outbreak, it might not be a coincidence. The vision goes on to describe action scenes common in zombie and disaster movies. Here are some quotes from the other letters:
The nurse pulled out a tattooing device and tattooed me in the center of my forehead.... It seemed to be some kind of witchcraft symbol. It had a triangular shape at the top with a spiral under it....
Vaccine simultaneously rolled out with RFID chip (Mark of the Beast)
Wickedness abounds.... It (wickedness) has new technology that will change your DNA. You will no longer hear from ME …[Signed]
YESHUA
Using that quasi-Hebrew name for Jesus is a preference of some evangelical Messianic groups, while the apocalyptic and prophetic language is common among Pentecostals. The message is loaded with biblical language and is targeted to believers, but it does not teach the Gospel message. I think this fear-mongering pseudo-Christian email was written by a sincere but ignorant American individual, or maybe more than one. In any case, whoever wrote this is not only deluded but may be responsible for people’s deaths. It is really a serious matter.
The message reveals some common confusions that need clarification:
1. The prefix "nano-" is currently being used for anything that is in the size range of 10^-9 m. That is unfortunately broad usage—it is like describing all the furnishings in a house as “meter scale technology.” This practice breeds confusion because people often assign meanings beyond dimension to the prefix. What have been described as “nanoparticles” in the Covid-19 vaccine are simply very small particles, not “nanobots.”
2. "5G" is a compressed term widely used in the communications industry to refer to the next-generation upgrade of wireless technology. The fifth generation will use higher frequencies and hence have higher bandwidth. That's all. In scientific vocabulary, the term "radiation" covers the whole electromagnetic spectrum from ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) through gamma rays. Unfortunately, without further knowledge, the announcement of a new band of "electromagnetic radiation" creates fear in the public. People in general don't know that energy is linearly proportional to frequency (as Einstein showed). Radiation at any frequencies below those of visible light (~10^15 Hz) doesn't disrupt DNA; it merely produces heat. For example, a microwave oven, at 4250 MHz, can cook food but does not generate the kind of "radiation" that a "radioactive" element does.
3. Regarding the "Mark": Although Leviticus 19:28 forbade markings on the skin, tattooing is now a common practice, even among Christians. And somehow this practice got conflated with the passage in Revelation 13 regarding the "Mark of the Beast.” Perhaps in the minds of some, the government is the "Beast", and its vaccination program implies a mandate. But if skin marking is already a popular fashion practice, why should it be considered deadly in this case?
The email message I received illustrates how the declines in both science education and Bible education are enabling dangerous conspiracy theories to spread in America. These are the kinds of challenges that ASA is suited to dealing with. If you receive any spam like this, please consider responding as an educated scientist and Christian.
References:
1. Profusa
2. Microdot vaccines
Paul Arveson is a retired physicist and engineer. He currently serves on the board of the Washington Academy of Sciences and other nonprofit boards. He has been a member of ASA for over 40 years.
The implementation of the plans to alter your DNA and make it programmable by something other than Me, your Creator, are here. I control and govern the DNA I have placed within you, but if you allow man to administer anything within your bodies, that will recode your DNA, I will no longer be the controller.
Following this is a lengthy appeal, wrapped in biblical language. I recognized quotes from at least nine verses from all over the Bible. Of course, the technologies mentioned have nothing to do with altering of DNA, and none of the COVID-19 vaccines or any other vaccines alter DNA. The author gets it that our identity is specified (at least in part) by DNA, but then links that identity to God's creation, and claims that altering DNA removes the image of God. This is a mixture of scientific errors, theological errors, and category confusion.
Another “vision”:
In my dream, God took me into the near future of America. …I could see 5G towers monitoring VERY closely the covid-19 vaccinated individuals (victims)… I saw hundreds/thousands of little specs of microchips, [nanobots] INSIDE the covid-19 vaccine, flowing through the shot, and into that individual.
This alludes to another popular conspiracy theory: that the vaccine contains "microchips,” or "nanobots" that will circulate in the bloodstream. This idea was popularized in Michael Crichton's novel Prey and other science fiction that specialized in creating tech paranoia. In the vaccine, "nanoparticles" are the capsules made of polyethylene glycol that contain the mRNA strand for making the virus' spike protein.
Those who get the vaccine are apparently tracked by "5G towers.” It isn't made clear how the 5G towers are related to the nanobots.
As the dream went on, One thing got my attention immediately… the people who'd taken the Covid-19 vaccine, their whole body was glowing an odd color green. I asked God, "What does this mean?" And I saw the word, 'radioactive'.
Well, why not throw in another fearful thing, radioactivity? The more the scarier.
Also, the word "LEGION???" was written all over them as well! Bible students will recognize this as an allusion to the legion of demons in the Gadarene demoniac that Jesus healed (Mark 5:9).
Yet another dream:
The Lord took my up higher in the dream.... And the million's of people, who'd priorly were covid-19 vaccinated and being controlled by the 5G towers… BEGAN to grow to be VERY violent and AGGRESSIVE, VERY beast like… [sic] In fact, the news called it, "An outbreak" and that those same people (those with covid-19 vaccine in their blood) were deemed "INCURABLE!...
If this scenario resembles the film Outbreak, it might not be a coincidence. The vision goes on to describe action scenes common in zombie and disaster movies. Here are some quotes from the other letters:
The nurse pulled out a tattooing device and tattooed me in the center of my forehead.... It seemed to be some kind of witchcraft symbol. It had a triangular shape at the top with a spiral under it....
Vaccine simultaneously rolled out with RFID chip (Mark of the Beast)
Wickedness abounds.... It (wickedness) has new technology that will change your DNA. You will no longer hear from ME …[Signed]
YESHUA
Using that quasi-Hebrew name for Jesus is a preference of some evangelical Messianic groups, while the apocalyptic and prophetic language is common among Pentecostals. The message is loaded with biblical language and is targeted to believers, but it does not teach the Gospel message. I think this fear-mongering pseudo-Christian email was written by a sincere but ignorant American individual, or maybe more than one. In any case, whoever wrote this is not only deluded but may be responsible for people’s deaths. It is really a serious matter.
The message reveals some common confusions that need clarification:
1. The prefix "nano-" is currently being used for anything that is in the size range of 10^-9 m. That is unfortunately broad usage—it is like describing all the furnishings in a house as “meter scale technology.” This practice breeds confusion because people often assign meanings beyond dimension to the prefix. What have been described as “nanoparticles” in the Covid-19 vaccine are simply very small particles, not “nanobots.”
2. "5G" is a compressed term widely used in the communications industry to refer to the next-generation upgrade of wireless technology. The fifth generation will use higher frequencies and hence have higher bandwidth. That's all. In scientific vocabulary, the term "radiation" covers the whole electromagnetic spectrum from ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) through gamma rays. Unfortunately, without further knowledge, the announcement of a new band of "electromagnetic radiation" creates fear in the public. People in general don't know that energy is linearly proportional to frequency (as Einstein showed). Radiation at any frequencies below those of visible light (~10^15 Hz) doesn't disrupt DNA; it merely produces heat. For example, a microwave oven, at 4250 MHz, can cook food but does not generate the kind of "radiation" that a "radioactive" element does.
3. Regarding the "Mark": Although Leviticus 19:28 forbade markings on the skin, tattooing is now a common practice, even among Christians. And somehow this practice got conflated with the passage in Revelation 13 regarding the "Mark of the Beast.” Perhaps in the minds of some, the government is the "Beast", and its vaccination program implies a mandate. But if skin marking is already a popular fashion practice, why should it be considered deadly in this case?
The email message I received illustrates how the declines in both science education and Bible education are enabling dangerous conspiracy theories to spread in America. These are the kinds of challenges that ASA is suited to dealing with. If you receive any spam like this, please consider responding as an educated scientist and Christian.
References:
1. Profusa
2. Microdot vaccines
Paul Arveson is a retired physicist and engineer. He currently serves on the board of the Washington Academy of Sciences and other nonprofit boards. He has been a member of ASA for over 40 years.