Vaccinated or Not?

The challenges and costs (personal, corporate, national and global) of the current pandemic are severe enough. But the debate about vaccine types, brands and safety has added another dimension to people's concerns.

However I will use this post to mention another concern: the potential for communities to be divided between the vaccinated and the un-vaccinated.

There is much talk about the freedoms vaccinated people will have compared with those who have not been vaccinated when national and global restrictions are lifted.

There seems to be a fear held by many of the vaccinated about being in close proximity to the un-vaccinated, resulting in certain activities only being available to the vaccinated. Given that data currently available suggests vaccines are of most use to prevent serious disease and death, proximity to others is probably a mute point, especially when mask-wearing is often mandated.

However, I do not wish to discuss the medical side of this, but the social/moral cost that is looming, which is largely being ignored.

Although some citizens are required to be vaccinated by their governments or their workplaces, by and large vaccination is a personal choice - as is remaining un-vaccinated.
People need to make their own choices on their personal circumstances after sorting through the vast range of official and social media advice being offered.

With that choice made, each group has chosen its personal level of protection - and life should open up and return to "normal" with each group needing to respect the freedom of the other group to choose as they have decided.

I find this approach to be consistent with St Paul's instructions to first century Christians belonging to a multi-national church in Rome composed of Jews and Gentiles. Their backgrounds were clearly very different, as were their paths to church membership.

In the disputes that arose, mainly because the Jews wished to impose their path to membership on the Gentiles, there was great pressure on harmony in the church.

Romans chapters 14 and 15 are filled with wise advice on handling that situation. Here are some samples using the NIV translation.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgement seat?
(14 : 10)
Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
(14 : 13)
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
(14 : 19)
Accept one another, then, just as Christ has accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
(15 : 7)

I think we could use this advice as encouragement to accept and avoid being judgemental toward fellow saints who have made a different vaccine choice to us.

And, wherever God gives us the opportunity, to encourage others to adopt the same approach.

Blessings, Barry