Is my Baptist friend completely insane?

Question

Here's the scene: we're driving, and he notices my Esso Speedpass, which is a little device containing an RFID chip which you wave in front of a panel on the gas pump, you pump your gas and away you go...your credit card is automatically charged. He said, without cracking a smile, that the device is the mark of the beast, something about the end times and advanced technology. I waited for the punchline but he was quite serious, and he learned about it in church apparently.

Answer 1

Thats what Religion does it suppresses the ability to think freely and with reason.

Answer 2

I think it would be more insane to assume this kind of technology is harmless. People whine about someone putting a cookie on their computer but walk around with a device plastered to their skull that allows anyone with the right equipment to pinpoint their exact location on the planet AND listen to everything they are saying!

Right now, you're carrying a piece of plastic that makes it easier for you to engage in transactions...through it, Esso knows exactly what, when, and where you buy and they have access to your entire credit history. Sure, it is easy and it is probably safe when you're only dealing with buying gas from Esso. But wouldn't your life be even easier if you had a "World Speedpass" that worked everywhere not just at Esso?...and how much easier would it be if you didn't have to carry that piece of plastic, if you could just wave your hand in front of that pump?

Is an Esso Speedpass the mark of the beast, not yet certainly, but it is only a matter of time, very little time, before technology offers us the ultimate convenience of RFID chip implants to replace cash, credit cards, and every other inconvenient way we have to buy and sell! ...and how much time after that before people (governments!) start using those implants for other purposes? Demolition Man may have been a comedy, but I thought it was a pretty chilling horror flick in light of ongoing developments in technology!

Can you say "Patriot Act"? Our government already has the right to use most existing technology to monitor our behavior...how long would it take them to get ahold of the next great time-saving convenience like RFID chips? Even if you don't want to believe the bible, surely you can see how this kind of technology can become a beast in the hands of people that want power and control???

Answer 3

Your baptist friend is not insane, he is just sensitive to bar codes. Many religions are teaching about the end times and what to expect. No one is for sure what the mark of the beast will be. It seems that it will be needed in order to survive in the world. Almost all countries will make it a law. Many are narrowing it down to some type of bar code. Lately, with the up rise in criminal activity it is assumed that one day we will be given a type of chip in our hand that will have our identity, credit card info etc. As you may know they have already started the implants on animals and a few families has also been tested for the chip. The one thing that all Christians do know is that whoever receives the mark of the beast will not go to heaven. Pretty serious if you believe. Theres a lot more to the story but I'd be typing all day, this is just the basics.

Answer 4

When you actually look at the capability of the REID chip and think about how, in the wrong hands it could rock your world.
All someone would have to do is look at the trail left by you gas card and your credit/debit card for about two months and they can pretty much tell what you eat where you go,etc.
With all the paranoia around terrorist and the need to find out who the "discontents" are as the country clamps down on civil rights in order to assure"security" who knows what the future will bring.
It don't look good for the home team!

Answer 5

No I don't agree with him. In the KJ Bible the mark of the beast is represented by the numbers 666, And it also talks about a mark that may be put upon us, as on our foreheads, so, we can participate in a future Governments or leaders way of life.

Now what your friend has told you....Does this sound like what the Bible is Stating. No it doesn't. The closest thing that we have right now that sort of fits, is our Social Security numbers or allowing computerized bar codes to be embedded in our bodies. Consequently, I do not see any harm, right now, with our Social security numbers as long as we do not allow them to be embedded on our bodies somewhere.

A Baptist in the know
RD

Answer 6

Where they are coming from are articles like the links below once the chip is implanted in people, on cloths, everything thus making everyone totally traceable and monitored 24/7.

While I don’t know about it being the mark of the beast, I can see if everything is linked to one id point there is a lot of potential for abuse. Not to mention being a real nightmare trying to get a mistake corrected. (for instance if someone else’s chip malfunctions and gives your number instead of their own).

May Our Creator watch over you and your family.


http://www.tldm.org/News4/MarkoftheBeast.htm

http://users.cybertime.net/~ajgood/ch1p1.html

http://www.fishthe.net/666track.htm

http://www.rense.com/general20/marv.htm

Answer 7

I am Baptist and I will tell you that I have heard everything from: Credit scores (which are three digits), Social security numbers), ATM cards, quick pass/speed pass chips, etc...are the mark of the beast. They will be the numbers we need in the future to buy/sell goods. blah blah blah.
I choose to think my own thoughts and not buy into that mindset,
but some people think what their preacher says is always right.
Just ignore him when he says these things...he obviously can't help it.
*shaking head*

Answer 8

You can hardly buy anything that did not have the RF ID chip on the shipping container. That is how they track shipments today.

The only time one might need to worry about RF ID is if someone commands you to place one under the skin of YOUR body. That would be to track you where ever you go.
Not good.

They are tracking pets that way these days just to get people used to the chip. One day, everyone will be made to accept one on their person. LOOKOUT!

grace2u

Answer 9

No your baptist friend is not insane, and I am not even baptist. God tells us in the last days about these things. Devices are put into things all over the place so that the govt can track us and know where we are at all time, so that when the time comes we are forced into a one world govt and one world religion or be killed, they would be able to find us and kill us when we say NO. Its all in the Bible. read it and see for yourself.
Your friend isnt nute, or fanatic, he is simply well informed.
and no, he isnt joking YOu dont need church to know it, read the Bible. Its all predicted, oh so many years ago. This is one reason we who are christian dont undersatnd how ppl still deny God, all the things God says come true, at just the right time. Study to know for youself, and pray. God will show you.

Answer 10

I know what he is referring to. No you do not have the mark of the beast. and he needs to get his fact strait. the technology 4 the mark of the beast is here. but it is not being implemented yet. read Rev. 13 whole chapter. it tells about the mark of the beast. good day.

Answer 11

This is one of conspiracy theorists' favorites. Governments tracking people and spying on them thru these chips.
Conspiracy theorists do have a form of mental illness. It want keep them from functioning just makes them prone to accept every conspiracy theory that comes around. There are many. I will bet if you ask him if any humans have ever walked on the moon he will say no. Ask him where he first heard about the "evil" chips.