Has the World Gone Crazy or is it Just me?

 

Has the world gone crazy or is it just me? I am not a news watcher, but I do hear from different people all the various things happening in our world today. A worldwide pandemic, social unrest, political upheaval, people have lost businesses, mass shootings, health problems, loved ones dying of illnesses, and the list goes on. It appears that we can’t go on as normal ever again, I pray that is not the case!

From what I hear there are many voices crying out from as many different perspectives. One voice tells us one thing and another voice tells us something different. One voice says that the worldwide virus threat is a “Plandemic” that was well planned and executed, and there are various reasons given for the motivation of such an attack on humankind. Another voice tells us that the virus was unplanned, and that the world was caught unprepared for the likes. One voice informs us that all police officers are prejudice and tend to slaughter black men without provocation. Another voice instructs us that there is no hard data to prove such a claim. One voice wants us to believe that the Smart Meters placed on our homes are safe while another voice yells “foul!” and claims that the escalating cancer rate and sickness is due to electromagnetic frequencies (radiation).

In every situation the voices are getting louder and the so called “experts” are called upon. These “experts” are all over the map with their advice as well. To make matters worse the social media platforms tend to remove any posts that are contrary to their own beliefs, or are they really just trying to protect the human race? Either way, there is division; division in political agendas; should the government be involved in every detail of our lives and provide for us or should the government only be a fence that keeps those who would go too far wayward from hurting others. There is division in health care and medicine, there is division in whether we should have the right to own arms, there is division in religion, and so on.

There is a lot I could say about these situations. I could chime in with my opinion on each one of these and attempt to argue my case with a series of what I believe are proofs for why I believe this or that to be so. However, that is not what I am attempting to do here. What I want to talk about is where the division comes from; where the upheaval originated and why it appears to be getting worse.

Recently, I was reading a book called The Robe. Some of you may remember the movie with the same title. The setting of the book is early first century A.D. (some call it C.E. for Common Era). The Tribune charged with the order of carrying out the crucifixion of Jesus eventually becomes a Christian and experiences a change in his outlook on life. The Tribune’s eyes are opened, and he discovers that the government of the Roman empire is wrought with corruption and half-crazed lunatics. Those with a voice of truth who are seeking for the betterment and equal treatment of mankind are sadistically killed in attempt to squelch their voice. Anyone who believes different than the Emperor and his advisors are charged with sedition or treason and are tortured and put to death.

As I read The Robe, I couldn’t help but notice some similarities with our modern situation. Though, I wouldn’t say that what we are experiencing today is exactly like the times of the Roman Empire in the first Century. However, The one thing that stuck out to me the most was how freedom of speech was taken away in attempt to keep those in power from loosing their foothold on control. Another thing was that the new Roman Emperor was feeding the masses in an attempt to drive them into dependence on his leadership. The Roman Emperor, though insane, was intelligent enough to know that if you gag the dissenters and feed the masses you have greater control.

Although The Robe is a fictional book the historical accuracy of the political climate of that time is impeccable. Back then the only way to communicate your descent was through social interaction; a dangerous activity to be sure. individuals never knew when someone they were expressing their opinions with would report them for a few pennies reward.

And why is all this getting worse? Because the government has shepherded us into relying on it. Many of us rely on the government for our healthcare and medicine. Many of us rely on the government for our income. Many of us rely on the government for our protection, for our mail delivery, etc. The fact is our sense of security would be greatly affected if the government stopped feeding us.

What if a law were passed that any dissenters who spout destructive ideologies against the government were to be reported? What if the law were that if it were found out that you did not report these wayward souls your government subsidies would be eradicated, and you could possibly go to jail? What if there was a small reward for reporting any treasonist activity or vocal expression? Many of us, out of fear of the loss of our security the government provides, and the fact that there is a reward for reporting, would even report our own family members! Why not, it has happened before in history, it could happen again. You would view all dissenters as a threat to your way of life and happiness.

As I see it today, it appears that our freedom of speech is waning. We live in a time where we don’t socialize the same as they did back then. We use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.  If we add in the fact that we are required to socially distance ourselves and not gather in groups to prevent the spread of a virus we are left with no other choice but to resort to social media platforms. However, what is happening on social media platforms? We are being censored! So, what are we left with? Modern entertainment and news media.

It is interesting that our brains are healthier if we socially interact physically. Social media platforms and the isolation that results are unhealthy for our minds. Not only that, but it has been proven that watching television and internet videos results in damage to our minds and brains. In fact, modern media in all its forms haggle for control of our belief systems. What the Emperor of Rome could have accomplished if he had these modern tools available to him.

If you read history books at all (at least the ones that haven’t been censored) you will discover that the heart of mankind has not changed throughout history. There has always been corruption and attempts to control the masses within governments. Why should we think that our government is any different? I am not implying that there aren’t any good people in government; there are, but the bad hearted typically outweigh the good. The good are either discredited or eliminated. False accusations are trumped up and propagandized information is fed to the masses in an attempt to remove the good from their positions or render them powerless.

Many of you reading this might think that I am advocating anarchy, but I am not. I read a book called The Propaganda Project, by Phil M. Williams. In the book Williams advocates that mankind would be better off if there was no government. I understand William’s argument and why he believes that. However, when America was formed there was an expressed interest in keeping government officials as employees of the people. If there were corruption or self-interested people, the masses had the power to remove that person. While in theory this is still true today, yet it appears that our vote is often dictated by the media outlets we are exposed to. Our political races are less about why this or that candidate would be the better and more about mudslinging and character degradation of the opponent. Instead of reporting facts in the news we have politically biased agendas with long running opinions. The modern news media has become a propaganda project spouting skewed facts that are designed to incite emotional responses from the masses. Hitler figured it out in his time that if you can control the media you can control the masses.

So, what am I implying? I’m implying that if we took the time to research what really happens to our thoughts and belief systems when exposed to modern media (something I seriously doubt will ever happen for most of us, even though there are research articles by the droves available and I’m not talking about opinion websites or videos but actually peer reviewed research articles and papers), we would all rebel and turn off the television and stop watching internet videos. However, who has the time to research now days? But we do have time to watch over 4.5 hours a day of television or internet videos according to statistics.

What I am implying is that the majority of the calamity we are seeing today is because of media exposure. Our brains are being hijacked and brainwashed. Even with that said, I am not implying that there is no virus threat, but that the media is taking the threat to an unprecedented level. For example, I just read an article where the family of a person who reportedly died from Covid-19 was upset because the person actually died of a heart attack. Another report was about a man who fell off a ladder and died and they labeled it Covid-19 death. There are other reports similar to these. We don’t hear about that in the media. Just recently I heard that all of the sudden no one is dying of the common flu; they are all labeled as Covid-19 related. Again, I am not trying to prove one stance over another but that there are media reports that don’t tell the whole truth.

Because of the power and influence modern media in all its various forms has over our beliefs and values there are those (as there has always been) who want to wield that power and control the masses. Conspiracy theory?  Not if you look at the facts! The reasons we have so much fear and hate are because of the media. The media is a divisive tool, destroying unity and peace, inciting fear and hate.

As I’ve said before, I am not implying an ostrich with his head in the sand approach. But that we look for new ways to get information without the commentaries or skewed truth. Just the facts! Just the facts!

I recommend you read and meditate on Isaiah 33:15-16 if you want to be set free from media’s influence over your beliefs and thoughts.

Blessings, Steve