As of August 31, 2020, COVID-19, the pandemic that attacked our world in late 2019, has killed more than 183,000 Americans. That is more than the number of Americans lost in World War I, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War combined. And this lost of life has occurred within months, not years. Currently, the United States leads the world in COVID-19 deaths and the daily death toll exceeds 1000.
Notwithstanding the above facts, many Americans still resist wearing masks. Somehow, many still refuse to believe that COVID-19 is the dangerous pandemic it has proven itself to be. The scientific community maintains that simply wearing a mask when social distancing is not possible greatly reduces the spread of the novel coronavirus. Yet, a great number of Americans are offended by mask mandates. A rational examination of the facts as determined by science should lead one to the conclusion that the behavior and rhetoric of a large segment of the population regarding COVID-19 are a perplexing phenomenon.
How did we become so divided with respect to such a consequential issue? In my book titled Not Just Any Old God Will Do, I discuss how the enemy of our souls can employ the power of perception to cause us to act against our own self-interest. He did it to the first couple in the Garden of Eden, causing Adam and Eve to disobey God. He did it to ancient Israel while effectuating the transformation of the nation from a theocracy to a monarchy. And I believe he is currently capitalizing on a sustained effort to use the culture war in this country to divide us.
As I listen to some of those who espouse anti-mask rhetoric, I realize that their antagonism toward wearing masks appears to emanate from sincere conviction. But how could that be, given the indisputable ravages of COVID-19? This question brings me back to the power of perception as discussed in my book. An individual’s perception is his reality. Therefore, to the degree that the enemy can influence one’s perception, he can influence his thoughts and actions. And not only can he use an individual’s perception against him, but he can also use the collective perception of groups of people.
Over the years, the enemy has worked on both sides of the aisle to create the toxic political environment we are currently experiencing in this country. In this environment, truth no longer matters. What is being said is less important than who is saying it. A large segment of the population no longer believes mainstream media. Instead, many use conservative media and the internet to find support for various conspiracy theories that they have adopted. Reason and logic are no longer the order of the day.
I realize that for my readers who do not believe in the spirit world, my conclusion regarding this matter may be a bridge too far. But before you write me off as an old lunatic who is one sandwich shy of a picnic, please consider the following.
1. Notwithstanding the science behind mitigating COVID-19, many political leaders, some of whom are highly educated and intelligent people, were extremely slow to promote the wearing of masks.
2. Despite the extremely high death toll resulting from COVID-19, many Americans still do not accept its reality.
3. Some Americans even believe that COVID-19 is a part of a grand conspiracy by the political Left to undermine the current president and convert the country to socialism.
4. For many Americans, patriotism has been replaced by hyperpartisanship.
In light of the above facts, I have concluded that the enemy of our souls has successfully engaged in mass delusion. Since the creation of man, as anecdotally demonstrated by the Bible, he has specialized in persuading us to act against our own interests. And in this case, by convincing a large number of people to distrust the scientific community as well as their own senses, he is well on his way to wreaking more havoc on our beloved country.
So, if you disagree with my contention that the perception issue regarding masks is spiritual in nature, how would you explain the confusion that surrounds it?