Ten days symposium: Social media censorship, cancel culture, freedom of expression and Masks. Day 4

Ten days symposium: Social media censorship, cancel culture, freedom of expression and Masks. Day 4

28/10/20

What is the Christian perspective regarding social media censorship, cancel culture, freedom of expression and the mask controversy? The Christian should not bear false witness, so speculation, conspiracy theories and fake news should be shunned like leprosy. We should always speak truth although it may be regarded as a conspiracy theory and be at the wrath of "social justice warriors" who have been appointed "fact checkers" and their agenda is to cancel anyone who interferes with their "WOKE" philosophies. The greatest teacher that ever existed; Our Lord Jesus Christ was labelled as a deceiver and blasphemer, so what I am saying is that the social media giants have monopoly over communication platforms to the disadvantage of fundamental freedoms of speech and expression. Although their cancel culture hasn't reached the levels of the horrible beheading of a teacher in France who by his exercise of freedom of expression by showing students the cartoon of their "prophet" offended his jihadist killer. The beheading of John the Baptist by Herod and Herodias rings a bell, they by killing John the safe space deprived adulterers succeeded on the short term to silence the voice that rebuked them just like some commandment breakers who control these communication channels and cannot allow their darling sins to be rebuked. We who proclaim the Truths of the Scriptures need the skill to handle the double edged sword (Scriptures) otherwise we are in danger like zealous Peter of cutting off the many ears. I have seen many social media users avoid the use of some words which may trigger the attention of these powerful content investigators who will put you on lockdown and muzzle you with their virtual masks. If they can censor the US president, anti-covid doctors and New York post, how about little David and his cheap android phone, could he bring down these Goliaths?

Earlier today the leaders of social networks were grilled by the senators regarding to their censorship of divergent speech from conservatives. In an exchange with Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey argued that " We are one part of an [inaudible] spectrum of communication channels that people have...People have choice, of other communications channels...”. It is true that if Twitter censors your content, you can try posting 'somewhere' else. The problem is that there is almost coordinated censorship of divergent content on these major social media platforms, the example I remember is the actions taken against Infowars. We should not be fooled by the pretended rage of senators who have legislated to protect these monopolies under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the law that allows big tech platforms to censor users with limited legal repercussions. 

It's wise to have a back up of your content to allow you can use on other open platforms if your content is censored "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet " Matthew 10:14. Ultimately, the voice of righteousness will be silenced on these pulpits and our only secure platform is in the wilderness where we can cry aloud without fear of censorship. What I am saying is that we have to be wise regarding the content we publish on the social media platforms and be sensitive not to break their social engagement rules. I also believe that we should also avoid troll like spirit which finds pleasure in hating others while hiding behind the screen with pseudo names. "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" Matthew 12:36. 

It is the sign of the end times when dissenting opinions are regarded as dangerous and conformity to social dogmas without due consideration is rewarded and celebrated. "CDC Journal: Cloth Masks ‘May Give Users a False Sense of Protection’ Against Coronavirus" headline on Breitbart news. The news article continued to say that " A report published in the peer-reviewed journal’s October 2020 edition indicated that there is no conclusive evidence showing cloth masks help protect users against the coronavirus, suggesting the science on the subject is not yet settled". Few weeks ago we had a passionate discussion on Zoom meeting regarding mask mandates, should a health conscious Christian wear a mask? The argument I made then was that our fight should be similar to that of reformer and pioneers, they did not use hammers to chase away irritating flies, we have bigger fish to fry and we should not allow ourselves to be smoked our of our dens before our time. Our ultimate fight is the right to worship according to the dictate of conscience and only worship God and refuse the mark of the beast. I understand that all roads lead to Rome and it seems that the infringement of speech, expression , congregate and consent are all harbingers of the reign of terror soon to come and the beheading of Samuel Paty in France will be re-enacted on a larger scale by bigoted religionists of this world under the theocracy of the man of sin who is making his march in darkness.

"In the closing work of God in the earth the standard of his law will be exalted. False religion may prevail, iniquity abound, the love of many wax cold, the cross of Calvary be lost sight of, and darkness, like the pall of death, may spread over the world. The whole force of the popular current may be turned against the truth, plot after plot may be formed to overthrow the people of God; but in the hour of greatest peril the God of Elijah will raise up human instrumentalities to bear a message that will not be silenced. In the great cities of the land, and in the places where men have gone to the greatest lengths in speaking against the Most High, the voice of stern rebuke will be heard. Boldly will men of God’s appointment denounce the union of the church with the world. Fearlessly they will call upon men and women to turn from the observance of a man-made institution to the observance of the true Sabbath. “Fear God, and give glory to him,” they will proclaim to every nation; “for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation.” - RH November 20, 1913