Dear Vigilant Anti-Virus Warriors:
This particular musing is a little difficult for me because it requires the humbling confession that I am commending behavior I do not consistently follow. Susceptible to the same insidious viruses as the rest of humanity, I should be aware of my vulnerability and take the appropriate precautions to insulate and isolate myself from their infection, but from time to time I cheat. I allow myself to be compromised, and as with all viral infections, my very cells become host to destruction and contagion. My previously healthy self falls prey to these opportunistic infiltrators; I quickly feel my deterioration and leap to spread the disease to others, particularly those who are closest to me. I become infected with and a carrier of the hate virus.
Like all viral infiltrations, hate deceives potential hosts by cloaking itself in something wonderfully delicious to a potential host. The deadly COVID-19 virus is coated with a sheath of tasty fat so when the cells lining the sinuses and throat are greeted with the treat, they welcome the enemy through their permeable membranes. Once inside, the virus unsheathes from the tasty camouflage and hijacks the cell’s command center, causing it to generate more commando virus and unleash its destruction on other unsuspecting cells.
The hate-virus carries the same illusion of tastiness; most frequently it is sheathed in a delicious coating of pseudo-insightfulness. The potential host, hungry for some sense of certainty and control, ingests the insight under the illusion that enlightenment will provide mastery over feared chaos. Once consumed, the hate-virus slides out of his pseudo-insight protective layer and weaponizes once thoughtful cells into amplifiers of distrust. The infected victim firmly believes in the superiority of a distorted worldview and becomes incapable of conversation, learning, discernment and negotiation. New ideas are perceived as threats, and simple disagreements are received as attacks. Anyone who disagrees with the blighted victim is immediately dismissed as, at best, deranged and, at worst, evil. The virus is apolitical; it doesn’t care if the host leans right or left, conservative or progressive, theist or agnostic; its purpose is the mass destruction of civility. I fear we are becoming opportunistically infected.
As with all viruses, there are simple precautions. Soap, a wonder product that breaks down the virus fat-sheath; losing the virus’ protective layer and cell-bait, the virus immediately dies. Likewise, inoculations can build up a system’s antibodies to destroy the virus before it is welcomed into unsuspecting host cells. Like many pathogens, this infection thrives on weakness. Right now, humanity is battling a global pandemic; it lurks in the shadows ready to explode in the lives of weary hosts. So, I am suggesting that in these times of extreme vulnerability we work harder than ever to disinfect our surroundings and vaccinate ourselves against the virus of hate.
This means clearing our heads with the sanitizing power of art, laughter and play. Being wary of those who promise special wisdom or quick fixes. Strengthening our immune systems by listening to divergent viewpoints, focusing on ideas rather than personalities and thoughtfulness rather than attacks. It also means socially distancing from those who are infected. When someone casually dismisses an opponent as deranged or attacks their character rather than their contributions, back away, close the page, scroll past the post, change the channel, resist the temptation; the infection is near.
Like social distancing and washing our hands to protect ourselves from COVID-19, we can overcome assaults from viral hate. I pledge to wash my hands and keep my heart inspired. I also promise to keep a safe distance from foolish arguments that degrade humanity and belittle opponents. Please, let’s help each other; our collective survival depends on our vigilance.
Wishing you all a virus-free day, I remain,
With Love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor
Dear Non-Conference Non-Attendees:
As you may know, a great deal of effort was put into planning and promoting a post-COVID conference scheduled for the second Saturday in March. Pre-registrations were underwhelming, so the week before the event I decided to cancel it. It’s bad form to have more breakout groups than attendees. I’m grateful for the presenters and preparers who were unable to showcase their no-doubt brilliant work; but discussing the impact of the pandemic four years out was clearly uninteresting to a wider public.
Upon reflection, I realize I shouldn’t be surprised. I conceived of an event designed to address the unprocessed grief we carry regarding what was lost during those dark months of soaring death rates and social isolation. I recognize now that a conference organized to address denial is doomed by its own irony.
Perhaps because I spent so much time thinking about the pandemic’s impact on our social psyche,