CONVERSATION ABOUT MASKS IN STORNOWAY TESCO.

Yesterday at the checkout in Tesco I met someone I hadn't seen in some time. He was wearing a mask. He's a Christian minister. He told me that he wouldn't let me step foot in his church without a mask. I said, "I had no idea you were such an extremist."

He then responded with - "You're the extremist!"

I replied, "No, I'm the normal one - THIS is normal - no mask."

He then left but the checkout lady decided to chuck her pennyworth in. She said, "This is normal", indicating to her masked-up-face.

I said, "Oh, the NEW normal I suppose?"

She said, "Yes."

I replied, "Well, it depends on what you believe, and WHY you believe it eh?"

She didn't respond to that and I didn't see any point in saying any more. But ain't it amazing how easily the human mind brainwashes itself? You can be sure the same people probably thought the original Chinese mask-wearing and the rest of their carry-on was bonkers.

And rightly so.

Herd mentality - whatever the majority does - I will do.

Dangerous. Just look at history.

MORE AUTOPARTS DRAMA

In the past week I went to Autoparts in Stornoway again for a car part. Even though I'm barred from the shop I've still been going in for stuff - without a mask - and the staff have been serving me even though most of them witnessed the first drama. After picking up the part, I was driving out of the car park when the manager came out of the shop and asked: 'Are you Derick?' I said, 'yes.' He then told me I wasn't welcome, along with other rude commentary, which immediately built up to a mad crescendo of quite insane rage - all by himself. I told him he was crazy (words to that effect), in reply to which he yelled: 'why don't you go and write another script about me?' gesticulating wildly (ah, permission). He then stormed back into the shop with my laughter ringing in his ears (I couldn't help it - it was funny).

That's twice now that this angry, crazy man has accosted me for no reason. In the first place banning me from the shop just for telling him (very politely) that the subject I and another chap were disagreeing about wasn't his business after he demanded I tell him what we were talking about. 

Being all personal about his work - very un-professional. Surely a bad advert for the shop. Especially as I have every intention of buying an expensive item from the shop. And not for the first time. 

He needs to get a grip.

LOCKDOWN: AN OVERSTEPPING OF BOUNDS

 2 Timothy 3: 1-5.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Interesting that all this seems to be increasing proportionately with technology.

As technology develops and the modern world becomes more sophisticated, man moves further from God. And as he moves further from God it has this effect on him, as described.

So a direct consequence of increasing technological sophistication upon the human race generally is: increased hatred of God.

Why?

In a word, pride. Technology makes life easier and safer. As a rule, people today have a much easier, more comfortable and safer life than people in the past had.

What effect does this have on the human psyche?

It makes us proud in our own conceit - confident in ourselves and in our own abilities. 'Who is God over us?' 

You might presume that it would have a more 'civilising' effect. But what is 'civilised'? Certainly most people in the developed world today would baulk at having to kill, gut and skin an animal for a meal, but it was normal back in the day.

Does that mean people are more civilised, or are they just more prissy? Is that better?

Being civilised does not mean we live a higher quality life externally, as Christ pointed out to the Pharisees who were obsessed with the washing of hands before eating, and other banalities.

Being truly civilised is to treat one another in a civil manner. What does that mean?

It means this: '...all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.' (Matthew 7:12).

If this is described as 'the law and the prophets' it logically follows that it is the most important rule of conduct between men. This is our whole duty toward one another - this is true civility - this is being civilised.

But today men are not civilised. Is it civilised to force your fellow man to obey your rules just because you happen to think your opinion is right?

I am right - you are wrong - shut up. 

Is a government right to force its opinion on citizens?

This is not God's way. Christ always offered the gospel as a free choice. It hasn't changed.

The government though, assumes, Hitler-like, that its gospel must not be offered, but forced, on pain of prosecution.

Have they never heard of Magna Carta, or Oliver Cromwell? These and other names from our history serve as reminders of when goverment overstepped its bounds and had to be reined in. 

That is the trouble with ignoring history - you're doomed to repeat it. 

Certain things are self evident like theft and murder - these are to be enforced by the judiciary with external punishment. But in matters of opinion - no - absolutely not. No coercement. That is tyranny.

Today we have a divided opinion about a virus scare.

Because the government has chosen to come down on the scared side (as if they flipped a coin) therefore they believe they are justified in imposing a version of martial law - even to the point of ruining the economy - and consequently the lives and livelyhoods of many people.

This, they patently have no right to do.