Coronavirus: Do some religious people have their heads in the sand?

[Aupmanyav]

The reason I quoted that was to point out how I believe we are one interdependent world, and how we have to all work together, in light of this virus outbreak.

Yeah, we are one, but we stop being one as soon as you start blowing your trumpet.

 

[stvdv]

Well, to be fair, maybe some people do not think this coronavirus pandemic is that serious

At least 1 thinks that way on RF (I just read)

Do they have a television set?

I don't have. Nor a radio. But I have google
Generally I'm getting more than I asked for

Or maybe I am wrong and this is pandemic really no big deal?

Yes, that might be (in the eyes of the ones who believe it's not a big problem)

 

[stvdv]

I am always open to opinions from those who agree or disagree with me, or those who just have an opinion of their own.

Obviously a religious group is not going to cure the coronavirus.

I am vegan, but I rather have them kill than cure it

 

[stvdv]

So what are we going to do now, as a nation, as a world

Nothing is the best. Stay in our room. All of us. And in 2 weeks Corona is dead they say. If some go out and people keep getting it, Corona keeps coming back and spreadingn

But all people have their own view, and some feel they should run around and help others. That's also a valid point. Corona will stay active a bit longer. Probably more will die.

In Holland Prime Minister wanted to try to build group immunity. I think that's not smart. Better first make sure it works before trying out, unless they have a different agenda, that I'm not aware of

 

[stvdv]

Obviously I am not going to come up with any solutions on my own

Why not? I would not mind!

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Yeah, we are one, but we stop being one as soon as you start blowing your trumpet.

So we are one and not one. How logical of you.
So you can't stop blowing your trumpet, yet that is not your trumpet. It is The One True Trumpet!

In effect you can't apparently see your own religion as your subjective religion, because of reasons. I try to be inclusive of other world views than my own and I accept that you have another than mine. I just point out that is The One True Trumpet!

Regards
Mikkel

 

[stvdv]

Just now I got my first national Corona alert

1) Folliw instructions of Government
2) Keep 1.5m distance
3) Sick or having a cold, stay home
4) Protect yourself and people around you
5) Together against Corona
6) Keep your distance to others

Clear and simpel instruction. I can do that.

 

[exchemist]

I don't mind business as usual, at least within reasonable parameters under the circumstances.

What is absolutely crazy and nuts is the fact that they're willing to bring themselves together in huge massive groups thinking unrealistically that God will protect them. As far as I'm concerned, stupid is as stupid does with those kind of people.

However some religions fortunately see the forest through the trees and realized that 'God' gave them a brain and therefore made reasonable precautions because they know the potential reality and consequences if they don't do otherwise.

They aren't doing that, though, are they? At least, the way I read it, the OP is all about the on-line workarounds people are developing, to keep their religious communities intact and functioning while physical places of assembly are shut.

(That seems to me exactly what we all should be doing. We will need to work quite hard at keeping relationships going and providing the warmth of human company to people who will now feel very isolated if we do nothing about it.)

 

[Twilight Hue]

They aren't doing that, though, are they? At least, the way I read it, the OP is all about the on-line workarounds people are developing, to keep their religious communities intact and functioning while physical places of assembly are shut.

(That seems to me exactly what we all should be doing. We will need to work quite hard at keeping relationships going and providing the warmth of human company to people who will now feel very isolated if we do nothing about it.)

I guess a number of churches are not getting that kind of a message from 'God' as it were. I've been coming across headlines like this....

Despite Coronavirus, Some Religious Services Continue

Obviously they don't care if they congregate one place in the hundreds.

 

[exchemist]

I guess a number of churches are not getting that kind of a message from 'God' as it were. I've been coming across headlines like this....

Despite Coronavirus, Some Religious Services Continue

OK it wasn't a comment on the OP as such, then. Fair enough.

Yes, I've no doubt it will take a little while before the penny drops with some of these people. In fact I'm waiting for the bogus anecdotes to start about how "we prayed and we were spared". This Dallas story is the US fundie equivalent of those Shia muslims in Qom licking the shrine for protection from the virus. Both equally stupid, short-sighted and antisocial.

 

[Samantha Rinne]

I have noticed that some religious people are just going about their ‘business as usual’ while the world economy is crashing and people are dying from this virus. I cannot put my finger on it, but something does not seem right about that. I mean in my religious community all they are talking about is being able to keep up with their regular activities which they are now doing online since we are not allowed to meet in groups per order of the governor.

So they have figured a ‘workaround’ whereby they can keep going on living as they always have as if nothing is even happening, and to top that off they are so happy just because they can continue to meet. I just don’t get it. All they seem to care about is having their meetings and get-togethers, including prayer meetings online, even a concert and their Naw Ruz celebration. Well, maybe I don’t get it because I am not sociable, at least not in person, only on forums, but this does not seem like a time to be celebrating.

Well, to be fair, maybe some people do not think this coronavirus pandemic is that serious. Do they have a television set? Or maybe they lost their remote control? Or maybe I am wrong and this is pandemic really no big deal? After all, it has only shut down schools and businesses across the United States and ravaged economies worldwide, not to mention all the sick and dying. But maybe it is no big deal.

I am always open to opinions from those who agree or disagree with me, or those who just have an opinion of their own.

According to the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah brought the solution to the problems we are facing in the world today, the political, social and economic injustices, but not many people even know about the Baha’i Faith because all the Baha’is ever do is meet and meet and meet and meet amongst themselves. Nobody can blame Baha’u’llah for that; He brought the medicine but they are not distributing it.

Obviously a religious group is not going to cure the coronavirus. According to my religion, science is just as important as religion and absolutely necessary for the continuance and advancement of life on earth. A vaccine for the coronavirus rests solely in the hands of scientists, and treatment falls in the hands of the health care workers. I do not imagine they are sitting in meetings talking about what they are going to do, they are doing it.

So what are we going to do now, as a nation, as a world? According to Baha’u’llah we are all one people living in an interdependent world and we have to work together in service to the entire human race. The reason I became a Baha’i in the first place was because of quotes like the following, as I am an idealist, but I also have practical considerations:

“It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action…. That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 250

Obviously I am not going to come up with any solutions on my own but at least I am concerned. How many religious people are concerned? Do they believe that God is going to fix the coronavirus pandemic and the mess the world is in, or have they even noticed there is a problem? Do they even care? From what I have seen religious people are either waiting for Jesus to return and fix everything, or if they are a member of my religion they are sitting in meetings and talking and praying. What real practical value does that have? How is that going to help people who have been economically ravaged by this pandemic, people who have no job and no money, people who lost everything in the market crash?

For me, religion is not a social club. I have no interest in affiliating with members of my religion unless they are going to talk about what really matters, according to the Writings of Baha’u’llah. But I am sure they do not want to hear from me anyway, because all I do is rock their boat. I do not call myself Trailblazer for no reason.

Actually, no.

Most religious ppl are getting closed down by order of their pope or their bishop, and have little say in the matter. Individual churches not bound by hierarchy are often staying open, but there is a very real risk that national health organizations overstep the civil rights of individuals (most notably their freedom of assembly) to hand down edicts and ultimatums such as "if more than 50 gather together, we will shut you down."

During the worst excesses of socialism, walking clubs were forbidden.

The church has a great deal to offer people in the depths of despair, and its message is far more important than the message of fear touted by the news media. It ought to be allowed to people to make the decision to "come at your own risk."
But the powers that be during this crisis seem to thing that having people isolated from each other is far more beneficial.

Selected reading this week is Ephesians 5:8-14

"Have nothing to do with the deeds produced by darkness, but instead expose them." Whether you believe this disease is a big deal of not, at this time several places are using this panic as a means of seizing power. Power of the secular to shut down places of worship, and power of tyrants to declare martial law and tell ppl where they can and cannot go.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Exactly at 5 p.m. today, the rich and poor, old and young, the 1350 million Indians appreciated and encouraged the Corona Fighters with clapping and sounding counches, cymbals, drums, bells, thalis (metal food plates), gongs, at the behest of Prime Minister Modi:

https://www.google.co.in/search?q="tali bajao"&tbm=isch&tbs=qdr:d&hl=en-GB&ved=0CAEQpwVqFwoTCLj_wOmnrugCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAC&biw=1513&bih=758

 

[exchemist]

I have noticed that some religious people are just going about their ‘business as usual’ while the world economy is crashing and people are dying from this virus. I cannot put my finger on it, but something does not seem right about that. I mean in my religious community all they are talking about is being able to keep up with their regular activities which they are now doing online since we are not allowed to meet in groups per order of the governor.

So they have figured a ‘workaround’ whereby they can keep going on living as they always have as if nothing is even happening, and to top that off they are so happy just because they can continue to meet. I just don’t get it. All they seem to care about is having their meetings and get-togethers, including prayer meetings online, even a concert and their Naw Ruz celebration. Well, maybe I don’t get it because I am not sociable, at least not in person, only on forums, but this does not seem like a time to be celebrating.

Well, to be fair, maybe some people do not think this coronavirus pandemic is that serious. Do they have a television set? Or maybe they lost their remote control? Or maybe I am wrong and this is pandemic really no big deal? After all, it has only shut down schools and businesses across the United States and ravaged economies worldwide, not to mention all the sick and dying. But maybe it is no big deal.

I am always open to opinions from those who agree or disagree with me, or those who just have an opinion of their own.

According to the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah brought the solution to the problems we are facing in the world today, the political, social and economic injustices, but not many people even know about the Baha’i Faith because all the Baha’is ever do is meet and meet and meet and meet amongst themselves. Nobody can blame Baha’u’llah for that; He brought the medicine but they are not distributing it.

Obviously a religious group is not going to cure the coronavirus. According to my religion, science is just as important as religion and absolutely necessary for the continuance and advancement of life on earth. A vaccine for the coronavirus rests solely in the hands of scientists, and treatment falls in the hands of the health care workers. I do not imagine they are sitting in meetings talking about what they are going to do, they are doing it.

So what are we going to do now, as a nation, as a world? According to Baha’u’llah we are all one people living in an interdependent world and we have to work together in service to the entire human race. The reason I became a Baha’i in the first place was because of quotes like the following, as I am an idealist, but I also have practical considerations:

“It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action…. That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 250

Obviously I am not going to come up with any solutions on my own but at least I am concerned. How many religious people are concerned? Do they believe that God is going to fix the coronavirus pandemic and the mess the world is in, or have they even noticed there is a problem? Do they even care? From what I have seen religious people are either waiting for Jesus to return and fix everything, or if they are a member of my religion they are sitting in meetings and talking and praying. What real practical value does that have? How is that going to help people who have been economically ravaged by this pandemic, people who have no job and no money, people who lost everything in the market crash?

For me, religion is not a social club. I have no interest in affiliating with members of my religion unless they are going to talk about what really matters, according to the Writings of Baha’u’llah. But I am sure they do not want to hear from me anyway, because all I do is rock their boat. I do not call myself Trailblazer for no reason.

To be honest, I don't see what you are complaining about. If people can't meet physically - and the people you are discussing have evidently got that message - then surely they ought to be finding on-line workarounds, shouldn't they? What else do you expect them to do?

Surely the whole object at the moment is to preserve as much as we can of normal life, under these new restrictions. Bear in mind that religions for very many people are a source of community and human warmth. These commodities are going to become precious if we are all cooped up at home while this epidemic rages. It seems to me that devoting some time now to get these going is time well-spent, before the sense of camaraderie evaporates. These communities may also do their bit to preserve altruistic social values, when the temptation may be every man for himself.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Just now I got my first national Corona alert

1) Folliw instructions of Government
2) Keep 1.5m distance
3) Sick or having a cold, stay home
4) Protect yourself and people around you
5) Together against Corona
6) Keep your distance to others

Clear and simpel instruction. I can do that.

Hi stvdv. Keep well and safe. Education and proper information is a very important service we can all,offer each other and those we meet.

 

[Aupmanyav]

So we are one and not one. How logical of you.

Did not I say that there are two levels of reality. Absolute and Pragmatic.
Trailblazer and I are one in Absolute reality, but not one in Pragmatic reality. When she is a Bahai, I am a Hindu.

 

[Vee]

Obviously I am not going to come up with any solutions on my own but at least I am concerned. How many religious people are concerned? Do they believe that God is going to fix the coronavirus pandemic and the mess the world is in, or have they even noticed there is a problem? Do they even care? From what I have seen religious people are either waiting for Jesus to return and fix everything, or if they are a member of my religion they are sitting in meetings and talking and praying. What real practical value does that have? How is that going to help people who have been economically ravaged by this pandemic, people who have no job and no money, people who lost everything in the market crash?

I understand your frustration, but just because your religious group is not doing much, that doesn't mean they're not worried. Some of the might be terrified, but gathering in groups and praying helps them.
The role of a religion is not to find a cure of this or any other illness. However, having a support group in difficult times like these means everything to most people. Not everyone is the same, some do well on their own and have a more practical vision of things, but for the majority of people, feeling that they belong to a group and being emotionally supported by their peers is essential.
I believe Jesus will return and fix everything in the future (an no, no one knows the date), but while we wait, we have a moral duty to help those in need, physically and emotionally, whatever they need. We don't know how long this situation is going to last or what is going to happen after, so having a hope for the future is great, but none of us should forget about the present and just sit down and wait. Let's be kind and loving and do what we can to help those in need.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Just now I got my first national Corona alert
..
Clear and simpel instruction. I can do that.

Also, wash your hands with an alcoholic sanitizer.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Exactly at 5 p.m. today, the rich and poor, old and young, the 1350 million Indians appreciated and encouraged the Corona Fighters with clapping and sounding counches, cymbals, drums, bells, thalis (metal food plates), gongs, at the behest of Prime Minister Modi:

https://www.google.co.in/search?q="tali bajao"&tbm=isch&tbs=qdr:d&hl=en-GB&ved=0CAEQpwVqFwoTCLj_wOmnrugCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAC&biw=1513&bih=758

Beautiful people, delightful music. I wish you are all preserved in good health and happiness.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Did not I say that there are two levels of reality. Absolute and Pragmatic.
Trailblazer and I are one in Absolute reality, but not one in Pragmatic reality. When she is a Bahai, I am a Hindu.

So reality is one with 2 levels, which are one. Right, got you.

 

[stvdv]

Hi stvdv. Keep well and safe. Education and proper information is a very important service we can all,offer each other and those we meet.

Thank you loverofhumanity. Very true. And with such a virus, the best option for me (weak health) is to stay inside. So, the coming months I'll do that (unless they beat the virus, but here in Holland they warn us, that it might take a year or more even; of course just guess work, I guess). Luckily I enjoy being inside and just meditate, cook some healthy food to hopefully improve immune system enough (just in case), and be on RF. Days just fly by. Already 1 week like this, no problem for me. First few days, I did have a few times, I almost walked out, but after 3 or 4 days discipline, that thought is gone now.

Must be very hard for people working in hospitals though, every day the reality to maybe get infected. I hope all the weak and sick are smart enough to stay inside, then those people working in hospitals, will be in less danger.