According to Idris Elba, that is. Idris Elba Suggests Coronavirus Is Earth ‘Reacting’ to Human ‘Infection’
I don’t mean to pick on Mr. Elba. (Well, maybe a little.) But this idea that the universe is alive in some way, that there are consequences to actions — something like karma, or justice, or retribution, or whatever you want to call it — seems to be deeply ingrained in the human psyche.
Paraphrasing Chesterton, “When men cease to believe in God, they don’t believe nothing, they believe anything.”
Albeit not novel, this pandemic has highlighted some very “interesting” beliefs of people from all walks of life. It was just a short time ago that the likes of Sean Hannity, Laura Ingram, Jeanine Pirro and others were using their public platform to influence millions of Americans’ thinking about Coronavirus…intimating it was a political hoax. When asked, some of their viewers/supporters also believed it was hoax. Interestingly, in a short time, their message shifted and is almost contrary of their previous comments. Now, their supporters have also begun to shift their beliefs. https://youtu.be/ifKbwDf51bA
It’s fascinating to observe how some will believe almost anything when it comes from a source they trust, despite contrary facts and data. Even more fascinating, is some don’t seem to question the credibility of their trusted source when they make dramatic shifts and present somewhat contradictory messages…not even when it’s something that could potentially impact their or other’s well-being.
At least Elba is taking Covid-19 seriously. Not in the best possible way maybe, but at least he sees it as a dangerous force. Rush Limbaugh initially responded to the situation by comparing this disease with the common cold. Trump has promised miracles and magic. I needn’t say anything about the pathetic response of Fox, as this is already discussed in the comment above. Elba is just a celebrity, not a voice for a news outlet and certainly not a political leader. It is a lamentable situation in the USA when such voices and leaders respond to a grave situation flippantly, with or without a belief in God.
Mr. Elba likely should be taken to task for making such an assertion. Yet, I suspect others should be called out as well given their equally irrational beliefs. But, I don’t always notice that type of consistency.
For instance, I find it fascinating that some who were initially minimizing the potential impact of Covid-19, intimating it was a political hoax and criticizing others for sounding the alarm were the same ones that were the “alarmists” during the Ebola outbreak (see video link). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfceOXEOnYg For all their irrational beliefs about Ebola, in the US, there were 11 total cases, 2 deaths and 9 recoveries. To date, in the US, for Covid-19, there are over 49,000 total cases (and growing), over 600 deaths and nearly 300 recoveries. Given this, maybe these types of irrational beliefs need to be highlighted more frequently because they have much more of a significant impact on public safety, when wrong.
That said, I still don’t believe there’s a reason to “panic”. As Dr. Fauci, a chief medical consultant to the Trump administration, recommends, it’s likely a rational thing to have strong restrictions in place (for a period of time) to minimize the outbreak curve. Yet, do people need to hoard toilet paper and go into extreme siege mentality? I think not.
CORRECTION: To date, in the US, for Covid-19, there are over 44,000 total cases (and growing), over 500 deaths…
From http://www.smitemouth.com/corona-thoughts/
It’s a common saying that “there are no atheists in foxholes,” — at least by some Christian apologists. Maybe it’s true. Maybe it’s not. I’m sure that the experience of war turns some people into believers. But also, it’s true that the experience of war turns some believers into atheists.
This corona virus is going to be similar. Some of the leadership in government is calling this a war–at least by the draft dodgers who talk tough and never fought in a real one. (Yeah, cheap shot. Sue me.)
Some folks (Idris Elba) are saying the corona virus is the earth reacting to global warming. Some people like to mock Elba or others for their views. It’s people just trying to make sense of the world. They make fun of Elba because he doesn’t have faith in Jesus or some other God even though there really isn’t much evidence of the mockers having any true faith either.
During the 1980s, evangelicals and other religious folks said AIDS was god’s judgement on homosexuals–even though innocent heterosexuals and children contracted the disease. Reasonable people think that a virus is an unthinking entity that is no respecter of persons. The transmission of the virus is easily understood. Transmission of the virus and the COVID disease has nothing to do with sinfulness or judgement. Jesus says so in Lk 13:2-5 if you care to look it up.
Where are the TBN preachers who tout their miracles? Where is Paula White? Where is Benny Hinn? Where is Richard Roberts? Where are the rest of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) crowd? Are they in hospitals visiting the sick and raising them from their beds? Haven’t seen any video of it anywhere. I’m sure if it was happening, it would be all over social media. These “healers” seem to be holed up in their mansions hiding from the virus.
The “foxhole” these people choose is their mansion. Or for the less well off, their home in the suburbs. The people in the foxholes? Well, those are the nurses. And the doctors. And the lady at the intake desk. And the janitor cleaning the hospital. And the orderly. And the candy striper. And the cooks at the hospital cafeteria.
When this eventually passes it will be interesting to hear the stories. I’m sure we will hear of some priests, pastors, rabbies, or other clergy who visited the sick and got sick themselves. We certainly have heard of many doctors helping people and contracting the disease. It seems as if there is already a greater number of healthcare professionals who have gotten sick and died from this virus than have clergy.
Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Imagine those who do it for complete strangers.
Touche! Totally on point!
Good thoughts, sm.
Indeed, the heroes of the moment are the every day health care workers. P&C named them their man of the week in a recent episode.
I heard Papa Francisco said something similar today. God forgives, but nature never does.
I hate the effing universe.