Wear A Band? Have You Forgotten? A Brothers Campfire Lament

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Benjamin from Brother’s Campfire here.

We have been little homebodies in an attempt to reduce exposure to Covid. It is important to follow our leadership in wise counsel in relation to mandates.

I started out this epidemic wondering at the validity of it all until folks we knew started dying from it.

Protection of the at risk is important.

I can only speak of the world that I see around me and it is this I describe;

Our church congregation has worked very hard in protecting the at risk from exposure to COVID and at this time utilization of online services is our method of attending.

Many, if not all of the people I worship with carry the weight and burden of the souls that are lost from Covid and are prayerful day and night.

I do have a concern I will make public. A few of you have demonstrated in your blogs that the religious, having been reassured of their right to assemble, are the cause of Covid, we are cultists, and we should wear bands on our arms to identify us.

I was shocked to see these things written by those I have conversed with.

Some of those same people have liked my posts and commented here.

Shame on you for saying these things. That behaviour is not welcome here.

If you do not believe in God or a higher power, that is your choice, but I will not stand idly by and not address this.

It was nearly a century ago, so here is a little history reminder for those who need a refresher about armbands.

https://www.holocaustcenter.org/visit/library-archive/holocaust-badges/

For those of you who may have not read the first amendment, I quote:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That is all I have at the moment. I sit disappointed and have doused the Campfire for the night.

Author: Benjamin

Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...

44 thoughts on “Wear A Band? Have You Forgotten? A Brothers Campfire Lament”

    1. Herb says:

      Reddit did? I could imagine twit or FakeBook snuffing it.I wonder what would happen if you weren’t self-hosted.

        1. Herb says:

          Not a place I would have expected it but I guess there’s bias everywhere.

          1. Benjamin says:

            Me either. I was surprised. I wasn’t even able to post it.

  3. kagould17 says:

    Singling out or public shaming a group or individual serves no useful purpose. While the right to assemble may be guaranteed for many groups, I hope that all will be cautious of potential virus spread and assemble or worship safely. Many here have gone to virtual worship and others do so at reduced capacity inside their churches. Most are very conscientious. Trust me, there are many more groups of people, less well intentioned who take no precautions in gathering for much less important reasons. Stay well and keep the faith.

  4. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet says:

    It is a very emotional time. People on both sides of arguments can go to extremes. It is very unsettling to hear someone making remarks about others that remind us of genocide. Just as it is unsettling to have to shop for groceries with someone who refuses to wear a mask and gets too close. People need to chill out, think rationally, treat others with respect and understanding!

    1. Benjamin says:

      I agree Cheryl. I am an advocate for masks and social distancing as we work together through this.

  5. It’s Zoë Nightshade! says:

    I’m literally only 11 therefore I don’t understand the enormity (I think) of this
    But whatever crap about PiOuS pEoPlE cAuSeD cOvId o:
    Bruh even an 11 year old can see through that

  7. Ryan Callahan says:

    Well said, brother. I’m with you! We must resist this tide of evil pushing us towards communist/tyrannical thinking! May the Lord spread revival and healing! Blessings to you, brother!

  8. barbaratheeny says:

    It seems almost every media company things they can control our ideas and manipulate us to think their way. Reddit seems to be one of them too. Sorry that someone even thought they could be so bold to say that here.

  9. Petra says:

    Good post. I’m similarly against tracking people who have been infected or haven’t. People are quick to forget the steps that led to the Holocaust and it will be more important than ever to remember when we’ll be faced with another recession soon and people will be looking for scapegoats.

  10. David Green says:

    Unfortunately very few truly understand the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. Much less how to properly interpret and apply the principles contained within these National Treasures.

  11. Carax&VanNuys says:

    All that hate… It’s horrible. Sorry this happened to you, Benjamin. 😟

    In my opinion we can only live through this pandemic *working and standing together*, no matter the skin colour, religion, sexuality or place of birth. This is clearly bigger than us (and our egos). I can’t understand how some people are *still* trying to divide society/us with their hateful speeches and their violent behaviour. 😯

    We’re in this together.

    Take care and stay safe. VVN 🌸

  12. Lady A says:

    I am not sure what it is that people have said to you.
    However, I know that those of my friends who are active with their congregations have had all their services since the end of March on zoom and those without the technology can ring in and listen via conference call. They sing from their living rooms and are part of prayers that are said. They have a chat before and after the service. They make sure that anyone in need is cared for – groceries and medicine etc. I hear lots of good things from my friends about how there has been a lot of support in different ways and it sounds as if their congregations are thriving without putting each other at any risk from the virus.

  13. hcmorris77 says:

    I have so many thoughts on this…it’s scary what they are even suggesting!!! 🙁 Which is why I haven’t really posted anything on it recently. About going to church during the pandemic…when my dad was still alive and was dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ulcerative Collitus – both autoimmune diseases, we were doing a meet and greet before church. I was shaking this one lady’s hand, while she was coughing and stating that she had just been diagnosed with pneumonia. Another man nearby was visibly sick. We stuck around for a few minutes then told our friends we were leaving! With my dads autoimmune diseases, and my low immune system, we couldn’t afford to get sick. So while frustrating to have limited access to peaceably assemble (school, church,holiday gatherings), how ever that may be, I understand why. Some people just don’t have common sense to stay home, or keep their children home, when sick. But, that is no reason to do what they are trying to suggest. There’s also a control factor that comes into play, and over doing such limitations..
    And then bring the election into it, and it gets even scarier.
    Does any of that even make any sense? Welcome to 2020! Hopefully, soon, this will all be behind us 🙂
    (sorry for such the long response)

    1. Benjamin says:

      Thank you for the heartfelt response.
      We need to keep our real national treasures safe; our elders.

  14. dumbestblogger says:

    That’s terrifying, but not as surprising as I wish it was. I worry that these arguments are on the verge of becoming more mainstream. I’m reminded of the fact that a prominent member of Congress recently called for a list of everyone who has shown support for the current President, so that those individuals could be held accountable. I don’t want to seem alarmist, but I’m reading a book about North Korea right now and I see so many similarities between the culture there and the culture it seems like some people are aspiring to build here. I don’t know.

  15. achme24gmailcom says:

    Well it’s been coming…

  17. silent poetry says:

    Thanks for the follow😊…. Great read thanks for sharing. With a heavy heart I have to sadly say that putting blame on a particular group or faith or congregation etc does not surprise me…. So sorry you have to experience this 💔 Peace brother 🌹

  19. Rachel Lionheart says:

    Can you believe it’s not the first time I’ve heard church-goers get smeared during the pandemic? It’s one thing to enter public spaces without masks, let alone not social distancing. But sweeping arguments like that don’t cover those who *do* care about not spreading COVID, and who *do* take the proper precautions. It’s no different from eating in restaurants or even bowling with required masks, sanitizing and distancing. Which I’ve done here and there, once they’ve been reopened in limited capacity.

    Believe me, I wholly agree there are extremists on both sides of the debate who will dehumanize others. Hard-rights who ignore and mock the warnings, and hard-lefts who condemn careful get-togethers. I have my own biases, but context is always key. It forces someone to think, which I can’t say everybody does.

    1. Benjamin says:

      Thank you for your well balanced, reasoned comment. I, for one, take care not to endanger others as do many I know.

      Benjamin

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