COVID-19 vaccine revives debate of religion vs. science
Anti-shot activists cite ‘mark of the beast’
The COVID-19 vaccine has been scientifically proved to save lives, but for a select group of people in the religious realm, a more important matter is at stake – eternal salvation.
As the delta variant of the coronavirus spreads, many Americans resist COVID-19 vaccines, some citing the uncertainty of long-term side effects, others lacking trust in the medical field. Some vaccine resisters have been galvanized by the idea that the shot is the “mark of the beast.” The “mark of the beast” in the New Testament’s Book of Revelation signals an allegiance to Satan or those who reject God.
“Studies show that any conflicts between religion and science are not about facts, they are more about values and morals,” said John Evans, a professor of sociology and religious studies at the University of California, San Diego.
The apocalyptic biblical term comes from Revelation 13: 16-18. According to the Apostle John in the New International Version Bible, a pair of beasts will rule the Earth with cruelty. Their evil reach will require all people who engage in commerce to wear the mark of the beast. The Apostle John did not identify what it looks like, although some theologians translate Scripture to associate the number “666” with it.
The Rev. Darin Wood of First Baptist Church in Midland, Texas, wrote an oped in August for the Midland ReporterTelegram that said, “One of my church family posed an honest question: ‘Pastor, is the COVID vaccine the mark of the beast? I’ve been told it is.’ Their question was an honest and heartfelt one, and clearly, they were anguished about it. In kindness, I answered, ‘no’ and thought little more about it. Until the question came again. And again. And again.”
According to Evans’ studies, the majority of “mark of the beast” believers appear to be politically conservative and from Protestant Christian backgrounds.
“People with spiritual beliefs that all things are influenced by religion are more likely to believe ‘ mark of the beast,’ which is in every Christian’s Bible, but people will focus on particular passages in the Bible to support their belief system,” Evans said.
The Rev. Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship said COVID-19 vaccines are not “the mark of the beast,” but many Christians may believe they are, thinking the world is in what the Bible calls “the last days.”
“The Bible speaks of someone identified as the ‘Antichrist’ and he will require people have a ‘mark’ that people will receive to buy and sell,” Laurie told USA TODAY in an email. “The COVID-19 vaccine – or any vaccines – have nothing to do with any of this.”
Misinterpretations of Revelation 13:16-18 can stem from social media where people can spread unreliable information, according to Laurie.
“Sometimes these statements are packaged to look like Bible Prophecy,” he said, “but they are false and misapplied because many people do not understand what the Bible actually says about these things.”
Nicole Williams, a traveling intensive care unit nurse, said she has heard the “mark of the beast” as a reason not to get vaccinated many times.
“I understand that people want to get back to how things were, but calling something you don’t understand the ‘mark of the beast’ is extreme and harmful,” she said.