Video: Pastor Artur on his 51 days behind bars

A CANADIAN HERO TAMARA LICH

Tamara Lich is a musician and freedom activist from Alberta and was one of the three main organizers of the Freedom Convoy Protests in Ottawa in 2022. She is of Metis descent and is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is loved by Canadians nation-wide for her courageous stand for constitutional freedoms.

Speaking at a news conference on February 3, 2022, she called on the government of Canada to end the vaccination mandates. She made the following bold declaration: ““We are here out of a love for our families, our

communities and our nation. These past two years

the Covid mandates have divided us. This protest

began because of the federal government's

restrictions on trucker's freedoms. Our movement

has grown in Canada and around the world because common people are tired of the mandates and restrictions in their lives that now seem to be doing more harm than good. As of today Sweden,

Denmark, UK, Norway, Finland, Ireland and Switzerland have removed all Covid mandates and restrictions. We are therefore calling on all levels of government in Canada to end all Covid mandates and restrictions. We will continue our protest until we see a clear plan for their elimination.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=elEOtg8dNT0&t=48s)

What was the response from the government of Canada over her protesting? Lich was arrested on February 17, 2022. In a loss over what possible charges to lay, for peaceful protesting is legal in Canada, she was accused of counseling to commit mischief. Justice Julie Bourgeois, a liberal judge who at one time ran for a federal Liberal Party seat, refused her application for bail. Her denial for bail was protested and on March 7, 2022, was overturned, with conditions.

On June 17 2022, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms awarded The George Jonas Freedom Award to Lich for her freedom advocacy during the Canada convoy protest. On June 27, 2022, Lich was re-arrested in Alberta for allegedly breaching her bail conditions when she received the award. On July 8, Lich's bail application was denied, but on review, that decision was overturned by the Canadian courts on July 26th.

Assistant crown attorney Moiz Karimjee argued that Lich should be held in jail for accepting the George Jonas Freedom Award but the Ontario Supreme court justice Kevin Phillips ruled that Lich had not violated any of her bail conditions by accepting the award.

Yet this hearing was not enough. The crown continued prosecution. All in all Lich has been made to stand before five different judges. Lich has now spent an accumulated 48 days in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre since her first arrest and this is more time than she would have served if she had been convicted and sentenced for a crime.

Fortunately, Ontario Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman has now granted Lich bail and criticized her earlier detainment under a ruling by a Justice of the Peace as invalid.

He said; “Ms. Lich will be released from this court house today” He further said; “I find the Justice of the Peace erred and misapprehended the evidence,” Goodman said, then stating that the detention order must be “set aside.” (https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/judge-sets-freedom-convoy-leader-tamara-lich-free-from-jail-declares-previous-ruling-invalid/)

Lifesitenews provides this summary of justice Goodmans decision; “Goodman stated that Lich, in his opinion, is a reasonable member of the community and that her release is not contrary to the justice system. He noted that Lich has not been charged with inciting a riot or sedation and that her offenses are minor. He also added that while he agrees that the Freedom Convoy was a nuisance to some Ottawa residents, it is not up to the courts to try and control the political views of citizens.”

(https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/judge-sets-freedom-convoy-leader-tamara-lich-free-from-jail-declares-previous-ruling-invalid/)

Lich has been brought into the courtroom in shackles and chains, treatment usually reserved for dangerous criminals who pose a threat to members of the court. I find it hard to see any credible reason for this grandmother, who had not committed any violent crime, to be treated in this way. Tamara Lich is a peaceful protester who exercised her Charter of Canada freedoms, of freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly. She is loved nation-wide for her courageous stand.

Shawn Stevens

Refferences

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Lich

The Docket Summer 2022, Justice Center For Constitutional Freedoms. Jccf.ca

https://canoe.com/news/enough-is-enough-tamara-lichs-lawyers-say-as-freedom-convoy-leader-appears-before-fifth-judge-to-argue-release/wcm/e8cf8328-019f-4127-9e4d-9f3df544a8f3

(https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/judge-sets-freedom-convoy-leader-tamara-lich-free-from-jail-declares-previous-ruling-invalid/)

OUR CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

(written during the Covid years)

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was enacted in 1982 and exists, among other things, to protect the people of Canada from their government. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia; “Since its enactment in 1982, the Charter has created a social and legal revolution in Canada. It has expanded the rights of minorities and criminal defendants, transformed the nature and cost of criminal investigations and prosecutions, and subjected the will of Parliament and the legislatures to judicial scrutiny — an ongoing source of controversy.” (https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms) The need to hold our present Liberal/NDP government to judicial scrutiny has never been greater than these 2020's years that we are living in now.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is designed to protect Canadian's inalienable rights to Fundamental freedoms such as Democratic rights, Mobility rights, Legal rights, Equality rights, Official Language rights, Right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure, Protection against arrest without good reason, Protection against cruel and unusual punishment and Minority language educational rights. In the name of “protecting people from Covid”, the Federal Liberal/NDP, as well as provincial governments, have stripped away many of these freedoms (and now restored most of them) from Canadian citizens. We have experienced severe restrictions on our fundamental rights to leave and enter the country, to practice our faith corporately, to participate in society, to participate in the workforce and to protest or show dissent. Penalties for not co-operating with mandates or government directives have incurred large fines and even jail time.

One of the purposes for The Charter Of Rights and Freedoms is to protect Canadians from their government. Taken from the government of Canada website, the first principle of constitutionalism and the rule of law is; “The Charter is part of the supreme law of Canada, and any law or government decision inconsistent with it is of no force or effect.” (https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/principles2-principes2.html) However, the Charter does have a limitation clause in section 1 which allows governments in certain situations to limit certain rights in a minimal way. This clause has been used to overhaul Canadians rights to security of the person, our right to practice religious faith, our right of mobility, our right of equality in society and our right to protest.

What are the conditions to using this limitation clause? Christine Van Geyn of the Canadian Constitution Foundation explains;“The courts have developed a test to determine whether a limit on our rights is justified. The law must serve a pressing and substantial objective, it must be rationally connected to that objective, the law must minimally impair the right,and there must be proportionality between the limit on our right and the benefit gained.” (https://www.iedm.org/e-book-life-after-covid-whats-next-for-canada/)

This is now the great uphill task for our Liberal/NDP government to show in court that they violated the Charter Rights and freedoms of large numbers of Canadians only in a minimal, proportional way that produced benefits that outweighed the damage afflicted on Canadians.

As a result of Covid mandates and government actions many Canadians have been forced to stay at quarantine hotels, which they had to pay as much as $2,000 for, denied travel in and out of the country and within Canada, denied the right to practice their faith corporately, the closures of their business, forced out of their jobs, arrested and imprisoned, had personal bank accounts frozen, and denied the right to protest.

While there is a provision under certain situations to limit certain rights, in a minimal way, I think that Federal Liberal/NDP and provincial governments have gone over this line. The average Canadian can't afford to use the legal system in Canada. Fortunately there are legal organizations and lawyers in Canada who are willing to provide their services, in our defense and, in some cases, for free, during these years of over-reach.

Organizations such as the Justice Centre For Constitutional Freedoms say the following on their website; “All of the Justice Centre’s services to the public are provided free of charge. We do not ask for or receive any government funding. We are supported entirely by the voluntary donations of Canadians who cherish the Charter freedoms of expression, association, religion, conscience and peaceful assembly.” On their website you can read about their many active cases as well as concluded cases. By talking about them, I am not saying that they necessarily agree with all of my views. They do not know me.

Organizations such as the Justice Centre For Constitutional Freedoms and media outlets such as Rebel News practice crowd funding and make it possible for the little guy, the average Canadian, to fund legal campaigns against our government and thereby gain back some of our freedoms.

We are living in unprecedented times. Never have I seen a Canadian government acting so opposed to the people of this country as the Liberal/NDP government that we are seeing now. In my opinion, their globalist goals are greatly at odds with all of our well-being. To them we raise our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. “The Charter is part of the supreme law of Canada, and any law or government decision inconsistent with it is of no force or effect.” While they are colluding with foreign syndicates, such as the World Economic Forum, we the people of this country are prepping, organizing ourselves and funding the legal campaigns against their over-reach. We the people will peacefully protest and we refuse to support their agenda.

Shawn Stevens

References

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/principles2-principes2.html

https://www.iedm.org/e-book-life-after-covid-whats-next-for-canada/

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/rfcp-cdlp.html

Justice Centre For Constitutional Freedoms

EXPLORING THE IDEA OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNAL LIVING PART 1

Most Christian men and women, though distinct from the world around them in terms of their theological beliefs, in many other ways mirror the culture that they were raised in. We have followed the paths laid out for us by others who came before and we don't naturally think outside of the boxes that we were raised to think and live in. However, every once in a while someone comes along who is willing to overturn all of the tables, re-write the rules and upend the whole system, or at least in terms of how they choose to live. They are non-conformists. They are on a quest for greater Christian experience and greater liberty. They are willing to take a large leap of faith and live another way.

This article will explore such a life, specifically in relation to the idea of Christian communal living, also called living in a Christian intentional community. Has this been done before? Oh yes. Does this have a Biblical basis? It does. Are there benefits to such a life? Most definitely. Are there challenges to creating such a lifestyle? Uh-uh, large ones.

Why don't we start by considering the Biblical basis and ideal. In the early part of Jesus' ministry He selected 12 disciples and called them to follow him. These disciples left their fishing nets and other occupations and did follow Jesus. How did they live? They traveled throughout the region, ministered to others and lived together. After Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension His followers continued sharing the Gospel. The book of Acts tells us this about the early Christians;

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [a]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and [b]sold their possessions and goods, and divided[c] them among all, as anyone had need.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [d]to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47

(Footnotes from the New King James: [a]Acts 2:42 teaching
    [b]Acts 2:45 would sell
    [c]Acts 2:45 distributed
    [d]Acts 2:47 NU omits to the church)

What a beautiful picture of unity and living together. Has anyone tried to emulate this? Yes, there have been many, many examples of different forms of Christian communal living throughout the centuries from early desert fathers, who lived communally to pursue a more monastic lifestyle, to the Christian hippies of the 1960's and 1970's. And there have been many others. There are some who live this way today. Whether from past or present, they have a story to tell and an example to show us. Some of these we will zero in on and look at more closely.

The Bruderhof is an Anabaptist movement that was started in Germany in 1920 by Mr. Eberhard Arnold. They had an early association with the Hutterites, who are known for their traditional communal living. The term “ Bruderhof” had been used by the Hutterites to refer to their communities in Moravia. The difficult years leading up to World War II saw much of the Bruderhofs, who were conscientious objectors to war, relocate outside of Germany. Many moved to other parts of Europe, Paraguay and eventually in 1954, came to America and set up. Many of those communities continue to this day.

The Bruderhofs live a rural life, operate communal farms and other communal businesses. They live together, worship together and share at least one communal meal each day. They dress traditionally. Each community shares a common purse and each member does not earn a personal income. They are very welcoming of outsiders and they are involved in social and political activism. They say; “We do not want to wait for peace and justice until the day of Christ’s return. We wish to demonstrate a shared life of work and worship in which the harmony of his coming kingdom can be seen and touched today, in our daily lives.” (Foundations of Our Faith and Calling
Life in Community)

The Bruderhofs highly esteem manual work. They consider it to be a form of worship to God. They say;

Work must be indivisible from prayer, prayer indivisible from work. Our work is thus a form of worship, since our faith and daily life are inseparable, forming a single whole. Even the most mundane task, if done as for Christ in a spirit of love and dedication, can be consecrated to God as an act of prayer. To pray in words but not in deeds is hypocrisy.Work is a command of God and has intrinsic worth. He gave the earth to humankind to enjoy, cultivate, and care for in reverence as good stewards in his stead. Therefore, we honor work on the land. We honor physical work – the exertion of muscle and hand – and the craftsman’s creativity and precision. We honor the activity of the mind and soul too: the inspired work of the artist, the scholar’s exploration of nature and history, the enterprise of the inventor, the skill of the professional. Whatever form our work takes, we are called to do it to the best of our ability in service to the kingdom of God.
(Foundations of Our Faith and CallingLife in Community)

As well as valuing work, they greatly value the sacredness of human life. They say “Christ’s Golden Rule – to do to others as we would have done to ourselves – requires solidarity with all people and respect for their dignity as fellow human beings made in the image of God. To treat others merely as the means to an economic end is a sin.” (Foundations of Our Faith and CallingLife in Community) And; “Our life together gives us opportunities to show love to one another at every stage of life, from welcoming a newborn baby to attending older brothers and sisters in their last years. Deeds of love are not routine but personal – a matter of following Christ’s command to “wash one another’s feet.” We want to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”In doing this, we seek to remember especially those with burdens to carry: widows and widowers, orphans, the disabled and sick, those with mental and emotional ailments, and those who are lonely.”(Foundations of Our Faith and CallingLife in Community)

Because most Hutterite communities are known for requiring conformity to a very strict set of laid out expectations, it must be noted that the Bruderhofs value a great deal of diversity and free expression. They say of “The Individual in Community”;

Just as in a prism we can see the different colors of the spectrum, so in a fellowship of brothers and sisters we will find diverse reflections of God’s image. We rejoice in each of these, and reject all attempts to make people uniform. Since all are of equal worth, all must be free to be themselves. The more originality there is among us, the more vibrant our fellowship will be.At the same time, we must distinguish between healthy self-determination – being true to one’s conscience – and the self-centered individualism that sees everything from its own perspective and seeks its own advantage. While the former is vital in a living community, the latter will destroy it.
(Foundations of Our Faith and CallingLife in Community)

There are approximately 2900 Bruderhofs members worldwide. They have produced many interesting utube videos telling of their values and their way of life.

The “Jesus Movement”, “Jesus Revolution” of the 1960's and the 1970's is another example of Christian communal living. That whole era (1960s to early 1970s) was known for the secular Hippie movement which was an expression of anti-establishment, anti-war, non-conformity sentiments. Secular hippie culture was known for drug experimentation, rock music and for dropping out of mainstream society. Many hippies practiced communal living.

In the later 1960s and early 1970's a Christian revival broke out among the hippies and became known as The “Jesus Movement” or the “Jesus Revolution.” thousands of hippies came to Christ. Christian hippies dropped their drugs and pre-marital sex and adopted a Christian ethic. However, they still kept many aspects of hippie culture such as dress, rock and folk music (now Christian rock and folk) and communal living.

The Christian hippie was a whole new breed of hippie. How did the surrounding secular culture view these Christian hippies? They called them by a new name, “Jesus Freaks.” This term, though originally meant as a put-down, was embraced by Christian hippies as a badge of honour. After all, Jesus did say; “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12) Christian hippies were now proud Jesus freaks, who were even more counter-culture than secular hippies.

What did Jesus freaks do? They spoke openly of their faith, they ran coffee-houses where they preformed their music and engaged in ministry and many of them lived communally.

“The Shiloh Youth Revival Centers” opened up, founded in 1968 in Costa Mesa California. Over 100,000 people became involved in these revival centers and 175 communal houses were set up during its lifespan.

A fascinating documentary called “LIVING IN COMMUNITY-THE MOVIE” can be viewed on utube. It contains 2013 and 2014 interviews with leaders and participants from modern intentional Christian communities operating in Europe and England. They tell their vision and why they have chosen this way of life. Some of these communities are made up of 35 people, like “Gemeinschaftshaus Moosrain” in Switzerland and others are larger like “Jesus Army” in England which consists of over 600 members.

In the documentary they convey their beliefs that Christians are to live sacrificial lives and truly love one another. It is their deep conviction that this love of one another should be more than once-a-week contact, Sunday service attendance, but rather, is better seen in daily living. They contend that every Christian should participate in community in some way and at some level. They point out Jesus' teaching; “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13) and say that this can be experienced living in community. They are also realistic expressing that people living under one roof does not guarantee community. Participants in this kind of life must open up to each other, be real, extend trust and maintain a relationship with God and then with others. Then community begins to occur. They are enthusiastic because they have found this. They also stress the importance of being missional and reaching out to others, to people on the margins who have lost their way. They have found a deep satisfaction in sharing with others.

So far we have looked at some intentional Christian communities and I have highlighted some on the advantages of living in community. Are there challenges as well? Without a doubt there must be. Anytime multiple people share a small space, there is going to be times when they get on each other's nerves. If your way of overcoming conflict is to retract from people, then you will be less able to do that, living in community. Living together successfully means striving for harmony, showing patience, having an open mind, being tolerant of certain differences, communicating effectively and showing respect to others. This system of living is only as good as the people involved in it. The mental health, or lack-there-of, of one member will potentially affect the mental health of others. It is important that each member maintains a healthy relationship firstly, with God and then with the others in the group.

All of the above mentioned groups that I have discussed here, are in some ways similar and in some ways different. They are all deeply devoted to Christ and seeking to follow Him. Some like the Bruderhofs, are very rural, where others like the Jesus People and the Jesus Army run urban communities. The Jesus hippies of the 60s and 70s were a combination of both rural and urban. Some groups operate by sharing a common purse while other Christian communities (not necessarily mentioned here) allow a greater degree of private property and assets. In every case there is a great deal of sharing. They share belongings. They share in their work and they share life and faith together.

In their following of Jesus and conforming to Jesus, they have become non-conformists towards the world and culture and system around them. They have become Jesus freaks instead of becoming worldlings.
They receive the blessing and look forward to the heavenly reward, for being reviled and persecuted for Jesus Christ. They have love for God and love for their fellow man, those on the margins, those who have lost their way and reach out to them. Life is sacred; community is necessary and good.

This is a look at Christian Communal living. The respected Christian ministry Focus on the Family has weighed in on this topic in their on-line article “Perspectives on Christian Community and Communal Living”
I would like to quote a section;

From a contemporary American perspective, this is a rather strange and unusual idea. Nowadays most of us tend to associate the word “commune” with left-wing political extremism or abusive and theologically misguided cultic groups. This perspective isn’t unreasonable. We all know that it has a pretty firm basis in fact. Nevertheless, the connection isn’t necessarily valid. We’d suggest that you won’t be able to think this question through clearly until you realize this. As a matter of fact, experiments in communal Christian living can be positive, beneficial, and God-honoring if they’re carried out in the right way. Everything depends on the people involved and their reasons for doing what they’re doing.
If you study history, you’ll discover that there has always been a strong impetus toward communal expressions of the Christian life within the orthodox church. This tradition has solid biblical roots. It goes all the way back to the early Christian community in Jerusalem (Acts 4:32-37). It has manifested itself again and again over the past twenty centuries in an almost endless variety of forms. It has found expression in everything from the primitive monastic communities of the ancient Desert Fathers to the early American Shakers to the present-day Hutterian Brethren. Catholic monks and nuns live in community. So do certain groups who are heavily involved in inner-city ministry, such as Sojourners and Harambee House, or outreach to the rural poor, such as Rev. John Perkins’s Mendenhall Ministries. In and of itself, the desire to create a strong, vital, and visible communal demonstration of what it means to live as brothers and sisters in Christ is a worthy goal.
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/perspectives-on-christian-community-and-communal-living/

In the full article they also give warning that it is hard to make Christian communities work. They warn that sometimes these turn ugly when strong leaders become controlling and repressive.

There is something beautiful and pristine about the Christian Community in the pages of scripture. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42 KJV) They didn't have to worry. Their needs were met; “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”(vs 44, 45 KJV) They were simple, were glad and grew in number; “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (vs 46, 47 KJV) This is how it was in the beginning.

We live in a high-stress culture where Canadians are frantically chasing the American dream. Liberal governments, through uncontrolled spending, have driven inflation and the cost of living through the ceiling. That high cost of living is most acutely felt over the cost of accommodation and housing. As our nation is being run off the cliff, many feel that it is becoming necessary for us to re-asses, to re-evaluate, to think outside of the box regarding housing. The established way doesn't work anymore. Is there a better way? Its right there in our Bibles.

So far we have looked at the benefit of community that Christian communal living offers. What about the practical expense-related benefits of this kind of living? In a world where the cost of living, cost of housing, burden of taxation, burden of regulation, and burden of government is sky rocketing, it is not hard to see the benefits of communal living. Expenses are shared. Bills are shared. Costs are shared. Shared means divided and the more you divide your costs the smaller and smaller they become.

Consider the testimony of a one woman living in community, interviewed by Front Porch Republic, who said;”“I think I made $22,000 last year and it was perfect, and I never lack.” She continued, “I just wish people [could] have all that I have, I’m so rich, I’m so rich. I tell people all the time, ‘I’m the richest person in the world.’”(https://www.frontporchrepublic.com/2020/08/finding-joy-in-intentional-community/)

Could this be the answer to many of the economic crisis that plagues our land? Could it be that together we could share and divide our expenses down so that we can be more free? Could this kind of living arrangement allow us to let go of that toxic, high-pressure, job that is sucking us dry and instead, work part time or even seasonal or perhaps even retire early? Could such a change free us up for more prayer, devotions, ministry outreach or even just healthy living?

Could it be that we can escape the chaos around us and fulfill a more satisfying and more community orientated way of life, whose example is right before us in the Bible? Could it be that we could be free from the rat race and freed up for service at the same time? Could it be that the answer is in sharing?

From the humble Bruderhofs we learn That human life is sacred and to be respected, cherished, protected and celebrated. They welcome all come and see another way of life. They respect and value individuals as “diverse reflections of God’s image.” and they “reject all attempts to make people uniform. Since all are of equal worth, all must be free to be themselves. The more originality there is among us, the more vibrant our fellowship will be.” they teach us that “everyone deserves the liberation of being known and loved. By living together in intentional community, we seek to deepen relationships with God and each other as we grow, serve, and live out the gospel.”
(Foundations of Our Faith and Calling Life in Community)

From the generous Christian communities of Europe and England we learn that loving one another is easier displayed in day-to-day, sacrificial, communal living than it is alone. We learn that missional, Christian community that exists for a purpose, can succeed. It can reach out to those on the margins and give them love and assistance. Christian communal living becomes like 24-7 church and can deepen us in our faith experience.

From the noble Jesus freaks we learn that we don't have to conform to this world but rather, can walk a higher road. It is possible to go against the current of this world's systems and survive and thrive. It is possible to live lives of peace, love and sharing. It is possible to live more like Jesus.

Shawn Stevens

References

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture also taken from the King James Version
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/perspectives-on-christian-community-and-communal-living/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiloh_Youth_Revival_Centers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Miracles_(communal_house)
https://romans1015.com/jesus-movement/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruderhof_Communities

https://www.youtube.com/@LaurafromtheBruderhof

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/wTS1DQ8Gmfw?playlist=wTS1DQ8Gmfw&autoplay=1&iv_load_policy=3&loop=1&modestbranding=1&start=

www.living-in-community.com

EXPLORING THE IDEA OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNAL LIVING PART 3

The North American norm is a dispersed life. We commute half an hour to our place of employment. We buy food that was grown thousands of miles away from us. We drive 45 minutes to begin a recreation excursion and we travel 35 minutes to a church where we worship with others. We maintain farther away connections by using computer internet. Much of our lives are gobbled up by commuting and traffic. What if our lives were lived together in a closer space that gave us more time?

Many believers are yearning for a deeper sense of community. Without trying to be divisive or overly critical of all of it, many yearning ones have found some big modern churches to be impersonal, consumer orientated and with too much emphasis placed on money (meant to be taken in the spirit of constructive criticism). Is the answer to go from big-church to small-church? Many have gained something by making this change but sometimes small churches are simply a microcosm of big churches. We commute to church and it is almost like we clock-in and clock-out of church like we might clock in and out of a job. While some have stayed and found the good in them, others move on in search of a deeper experience.

Perhaps that deeper experience can be found in Christian communal living. Living is something you do 24/7. Christian communal living is like 24/7 church, 24/7 church for the 24/7 Christian.

This yearning for a deeper sense of community can also be called an awareness of “rootlessness.” As sincere followers of Jesus, we want to be well rooted. That is, we want to be rooted in the Word of God, but also rooted in community with other believers. Christian communal living can potentially deliver a greater experience of Christian community.

How can Christian communal living potentially deliver a greater experience of Christian community? Because living with others eliminates the distance. We are more likely to be real with people that live in our shared space, than we might otherwise be, with others who we know are here for a moment and then are going away.

That “realness” is also an important ingredient to discipleship and living in community is more conducive to discipleship. It is a better environment for discipleship to occur.

One author has described how the concept of Christian communal living does not make sense to many around us because; “It is an ethic that makes no sense to people who assume the church is a collection of individuals saved for heaven while individually also trying to get ahead in the world.” (David Janzen, 72) Yet for the Christian who, yes is individually saved, but also yearns for fellowship, unity, discipleship and community, Christian communal living does makes sense.

Living in community is a shift from independence to inter-dependance. It is a group of believers that regard each other as family and work together on sharing, resolving conflicts, corporate worship, corporate prayer, financial support, decision-making, duties and leadership. The challenges of this way of life stretch us and cause growth.

Living in Christian community embraces the concept of “one another.” In scripture we read:

“Be of the same mind one toward another. ...” (Ro 12:16 KJV)

“...admonish one another.” (Ro 15:14 KJV)

“...wait for one another. “ (1 Corinthians 11:33)

“... have the same care for one another. “ (1 Cor 12:25)

“...but through love serve one another. “ (Galatians 5:13)

“ Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

“Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thess. 5:11)

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32)

“... be submissive to one another, ...” (1 Peter 5:5)

The Christian communal way of life is a “one another” way of life where we are serving each other and doing life together. In Christian community believers pray together, worship together and eat together. There is something beautiful about each of these three. Communal prayer combines the faith of more than one believer. Communal Worship combines the praises of more than one believer. Communal eating deepens a sense of “togetherness.” One writer has said; “One kind of poverty is 'no food'; another is eating alone.” (David Janzen, 219) Believers living in community don't have to eat alone.

Have you considered trading-in your dispersed life for community. Would you trade in rootlessness for roots? Do you want to make the journey over to some church and clock-in for a couple of hours? Or do you want a whole-life, 24/7 church, way of life experience that encompasses your daily living? Goodby distance and hello realness. The yearning ones are seeking a life of “one another.”

Shawn Stevens

References:

David Janzen, The Intentional Christian Community Handbook. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Massachusetts, 2013.

Charles E. More “It Takes Work”, in Called to Community, Charles E. More. Plough Publishing House Walden, New York, 2016.

Scripture also taken from King James Bible. Public Domain.

COVID, THE MANDATE CRISIS AND THE FREEDOM CONVOY

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that a world-wide pandemic was upon us. On March 16 the Canada/USA border was closed. On March 25 a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travellers into Canada was announced. Later we were told that we must put up with restrictions for a couple of weeks to “flatten the curve” of Covid 19.

There were many restrictions as the Mandate crisis mushroomed. How did this look in British Columbia? The following is an edited timeline, taken from the Kelowna News, looking at 2020/2021 (I have not used ellipses. To see the unedited version go to https://infotel.ca/newsitem/covid-19-a-timeline-of-the-pandemic-and-how-it-changed-our-lives-over-the-past-two-years/it88449);

March 12, 2020
B.C. government says all gatherings over 250 people must be cancelled. Anyone returning to Canada must stay away from work or school for 14 days and Canadian government recommends against all non-essential travel outside of Canada. The NHL, WHL and the BCHL suspend their 2019-2020 hockey seasons.

March 16
Spring Break starts. The Government of Canada announces it is barring foreign nationals from all countries except the U.S. from entering Canada. B.C. dentists stop practising.

March 17
B.C. declares a public health emergency. Dr. Henry uses the new powers and orders all bars and nightclubs closed. Social distancing becomes a thing as Dr. Henry announces people need to stay six feet apart. The cap on gatherings is lowered to 50 people. Province announces schools won't reopen after spring break.

March 18
B.C. declares a state of emergency. It is initially in effect for 14 days. Costco implements buying limits and social distancing rules.

March 28
Provinces compile lists of essential services. Liquor and Cannabis stores, along with dry cleaners, make the B.C. list.

Nov. 7
Dr. Henry orders stricter socializing restrictions in the Lower Mainland. They ban indoor and outdoor social gatherings of any sort except with immediate household members and wearing face masks is mandatory in public spaces. She recommends all non-essential travel stop.

Dec. 3
Dr. Henry bans adult team sports games.

Dec. 20
B.C.’s socializing restrictions over Christmas are some of the toughest in Canada.

Jan. 18, 2021
Kelowna’s Harvest Ministries International church hit with its second $2,300 fine for holding in-person services. The church vows to take the province to court over its ban on religious gatherings.

Aug. 23
Premier John Horgan announces the phased-in B.C. Vaccination Card, three months after Dr. Henry said a vaccine passport likely wouldn’t be introduced in B.C. Neither call the new card a passport.

Sept. 13
Workers in all B.C. health care facilities ordered to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 26.

Dozens gather outside the Interior Health office in downtown Kelowna to protest vaccine cards.

City facilities in Kelowna and Kamloops start requiring vaccine cards for entry.

Sept. 28
“Pandemic of the unvaccinated” is the new catchphrase but older, vaccinated people are disproportionately dying in the pandemic.

Oct. 5
Provincial government announces all its employees must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22 as will all visitors to long term care and assisted living homes by Oct. 12. Visitors to acute care hospitals have until Oct. 26 to be vaccinated.

Oct. 26
All B.C. residents eligible for a COVID booster shot six to eight months after their second dose.

Deadline for health care workers to get vaccinated is reached, with 7% of Interior Health workers not vaccinated, the highest rate in B.C. Non-urgent surgeries postponed in Kamloops and Kelowna to cope with staffing issues and high COVID counts.

Nov. 23
Vaccines for children aged five to 11 start arriving in B.C.

Non-essential travel banned for B.C. residents between the Interior and Lower Mainland and between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island as COVID case counts and hospitalizations climb. Road checks are put in place.

Restrictions tightened and loosened and tightened again. For a long protracted time services deemed non-essential, such as small businesses and Churches, were forbidden to open their doors while at the same time, services deemed essential, such as big outlet stores, liquor stores, bars, restaurants, gyms, canabas outlets and art galleries, were allowed open.

Usually after much compliance with the regulations, numerous Christian pastors opened their Churches and/or participated in protests. However, the rules for Churches had not been lifted yet and numerous Christian believers stood and watched as their pastors were arrested and charged. As well as being given many fines, Pastor Artur Pawlowski was arrested four times and imprisoned for 50 days. Pastor James Coates was incarcerated for 35 days in a maximum security prison. Pastor Tim Stephens was arrested twice, fined 6 times and spent 21 days in jail. Pastor Henry Hildebrandt was convicted and fined $5,000 after participating in an anti-lockdown rally. Pastor Cody Butler was arrested for holding a thanksgiving service. Harvest Ministries in Kelowna was also fined twice for being open. Christmas and Easter crackdowns were put in place. The government was determined to use their new powers to control how much Christians would be allowed to corporately practice their faith.

The mandate crisis raged on. PCR tests were mandatory in many workplaces and yet many questions to their accuracy have arisen.

In some parts of the world, the drug Ivermectin was allowed and used to treat covid 19, but not in Canada.

Our politicians and our televisions were telling us that large numbers of people were dying from Covid. Yet testimonies of inflated statistic taking brought the issue into question. Just how many people were actually dying of Covid, and not of a multitude of other pre-existing conditions, that they also had. One funeral home owner in Alberta, who wishes to be anonymous, has testified that during 2020-2022 when a body was turned over to her that had been labelled a Covid death, 25% of the time their families said that this was not true.

In many ways the Covid crisis was an information crisis as Canadians did not know who to believe. We tried to weigh the actual damage of Covid against the damage of the mandates and the vaccines. The damage of the mandates was very great. It included depression, suicide, the breakdown of mental health, anxiety disorders, economic devastation, setbacks to children's education, being fired from your job, the collapse of small businesses, the depletion or wiping out of people's savings, and the list goes on. Canadians were hampered or prevented from attending funerals, celebrating their children's graduation, getting married and having a wedding, travelling, seeing their elderly parents before they died, corporately practising their faith and the list goes on. Substance abuse, along with family abuse rose during this time. Was it all worth it?

With the roll out of Covid vaccines, the Liberal government went into high gear to promote them. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said:

“Vaccines are the most effective tool against COVID-19, and countless Canadians – including many public servants – have already done their part and gotten their shots. But no one is safe until everyone is safe.”

(https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2021/10/06/prime-minister-announces-mandatory-vaccination-federal-workforce-and#:~:text=%E2%80%9CVaccines%20are%20the%20best%20way%20to%20protect%20people%20from%20COVID,protect%20them%20and%20all%20Canadians.%E2%80%9D)

That line “But no one is safe until everyone is safe.” served to drive a wedge between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Before long, vaccinated Canadians were beginning to fear unvaccinated Canadians and blaming them for the spread of Covid.

Why would many vaccinated Canadians be afraid of unvaccinated Canadians? If the vaccinated are immunized, then were they not protected from the virus? In the early days of the Covid crisis, the media announced that most people with Covid were people who were unvaccinated. However, this is because most people were still waiting for a turn to get vaccinated. However, as the numbers of Canadians getting vaccinated rose, more and more vaccinated people became infected. By September 28, 2021 there were more older, vaccinated Canadians dying from Covid than unvaccinated Canadians.(See endnote 1) Why? Because the vaccine was not stopping the spread of Covid!

For many (certainly not all) unvaccinated Canadians the fear turned to resentment, and the slogan “Pandemic of the unvaccinated” was commonly spoken to re-define the nature of the pandemic. During this time the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was driving much of this anxiety and bad feeling. It benefited him politically. He called an election in the middle of a pandemic and ran on a platform, partly, of being hard on the unvaccinated. His sentiments, or at least the anxiety that he stirred up, resonated with enough Canadians to push him over the line and win the election.

I remember turning on the tv and hearing Trudeau, at an election rally, angrily, loudly shouting to the crowd; “And you know what, if you don't want to get vaccinated that's your choice but don't think that you can get on a plane or a train besides vaccinated people and put them at risk!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQlh5t2k-o0)

Again, the question, if the vaccine actually worked, then why is it an issue? Liberals pushed the fury further. The media platformed the governments fury and spread the fear, anxiety and bad feeling nation-wide.

A full-blown discrimination and segregation campaign was being rolled out as Canada was turned into a two-class society. Unvaccinated Canadians saw their Canadian Charter of Rights taken away, while vaccinated Canadians continued with much (not all) of theirs left intact. Every possible institution from government to business and beyond was harnessed to apply the pressure against the unvaccinated to try to break us into submission.

Then there was the vaccines. They had not undergone the usual 5-10 year testing process. They were rolled out and promoted by the government. We were told to “Do the right thing” and get the vaccine. The AstraZeneca Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations but later cancelled on December 19th, 2023. Why was it cancelled? In March of 2021 there were so many cases of blood clotting worldwide that countries world-wide were banning it. Then certain Canadian provinces banned it and eventually the Canadian Federal government banned it at the late date of December 19^th, 2023.

As vaccination increased, many testimonies of serious adverse effects began coming forward. These testimonies came from common citizens and professionals alike. When they came from medical professionals, there was a very swift censorship. Medical professionals who raised concerns over the vaccine were threatened with loosing their jobs and/or careers. Some refused to be muzzled and accepted punishment. Whistle-blowers were punished as there was a frenzy to contain the leaks. Common men and women were also having a hard time getting their story out as social media, many times, cancelled them and mainstream media largely ignored them.

What were some of the adverse effects, from taking the vaccines, that were being reported? They included ;Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets),Cardiac arrest, Cardiac failure

Myocardial infarction (heart attack), Myocarditis1/Pericarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle and lining around the heart), Cerebral thrombosis, Deep vein thrombosis, Embolism,

Haemorrhage (bleeding), Pulmonary embolism, blood clotting, Acute kidney injury,Liver injury, Bell's Palsy1/facial paralysis, Stroke, Transverse myelitis (inflammation of spinal cord),Fetal growth restriction

Spontaneous abortion,Acute respiratory distress syndrome

Chilblains, and more. (See Canadian government website: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/vaccine-safety/#specialInterest)

While adverse reactions continued, the Liberal government continued to turn attention away from the dissent and towards the narrative, that the unvaccinated were to blame. In fact, the Prime Minister upped it a knoch and associated some mandate protesters with misogynists and racists. He referred to a part of the Canadian population that was fiercely against the mandates as; “ They don’t believe in science/progress and are very often misogynistic and racist. It’s a very small group of people, but that doesn’t shy away from the fact that they take up some space.” (https://www.westernstandard.news/news/trudeau-calls-the-unvaccinated-racist-and-misogynistic-extremists/article_a3bacece-2e14-5b8c-bf37-eddd672205f3.html)

What is the context of this quote? Protests had sprung up, to end the mandates, from one end of the country to the other. The largest of these was in downtown Ottawa. Tamara Lich, a musician and freedom activist from Alberta became one of the three main organizers of the Freedom Convoy Protests. The Freedom Convoy began as a convoy of truckers and expanded to Canadians of every background driving, flying, bussing, and walking to Ottawa to let their voices be heard. Trudeau weighed in and said that the protestors were a “fringe minority” and were holding “unacceptable views” . Much later in 2023 he said; ““I wish I had phrased that differently,” (https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/trudeau-expresses-regret-for-denouncing-freedom-convoy-protesters-as-fringe-minority)

I didn't make it to Ottawa but my wife and I did participate in some of the large demonstrations in our nearest city. It was a great experience to stand for our rights and for the rights of other Canadians. I carried a sign saying; “FREEDOM IS NOT AN UNACCEPTABLE VIEW” and my wife carried a sign “GOD KEEP OUR LAND FREE” and we marched the streets with thousands of others. Everything I saw there was peaceful. We co-operated with the police who were monitoring the crowds. The most common sight was Canadian flags that were being waved by the thousands. Along with praying for my nation, I feel like participating in these protests was the most Canadian thing I have ever done.

The Freedom Convoy demonstrations were not contained to Canada alone. The protests that began in Canada sparked protests world-wide as freedom rallies erupted in Denmark, Sweden, Poland, UK, Belgium,Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Hungary,Czechoslovakia, Romania, Cyprus, Lithuania, Slovenia, Croatia, Brazil, Austria, Ireland, Australia and The United States.

As Freedom Convoy participants kept rolling into Ottawa, all along the way, literally from one side of the country to the other, large numbers of freedom supporters were waiting at truck-stops and rest areas. They came out to the truckers and gave them food, drink, gifts of all sorts, gifts handmade by children, etc. This went on in Ottawa too. It was a display of Canadian love and truckers felt the gratitude. It was a thank you for standing up. It was a beautiful sight.

Momentum grew and grew. Thousands of trucks parked in Ottawa. How many thousands, I don't know, I have read different estimates but I would rather just say thousands. Freedom demonstrators filled the streets by the thousands. It is impossible to get a clear number. The magnitude of the protests was under-reported. News articles from the time simply said “thousands.” Mainstream media reporters would set up blocks away from where the main gathering was and film the small groups of people who were making their way over to the main area. This construed the perception that the protest was much smaller than it really was. However, alternative news outlets, such as Rebel News and others went right into the thick of the crowds. Those of us watching their reporting could see that it was very many thousands of freedom demonstrators. Demonstrators were protesting peacefully and it was a family atmosphere. Families could be seen everywhere. Again the most common sight was the Canadian flag. There were thousands of them being waved everywhere. There was so much Canadian spirit.

At this point The Trudeau/Singh government had to decide what to do. Would they drop the mandates? That would have brought the protests to a peaceful end. No. Trudeau waited but all the while he had his finger on the trigger of a powerful weapon, The Emergency Measures Act. It could be weaponized to crush the protesters. With sweaty palms he nervously handled the trigger.

About three weeks passed. Numerous pressure tactics were employed by authorities to try to discourage protesters. However, the protesters worked with the local Ottawa police to keep things peaceful. Through negotiation, the once blockaded Windsor Bridge was emptied and unblocked. The blockade at Coots Alberta was also cleared. Protest organizers, working together with Ottawa police were even clearing away trucks from the main protest in downtown Ottawa. It was diminishing. This meant that Trudeau was losing his moment to act and look strong. But what about ending the mandates? Many other countries already had ended theirs. Sweden, Denmark, UK, Norway, Finland, Ireland and Switzerland had already removed all Covid mandates and restrictions. Covid had greatly diminished. Now Trudeau had the option to back off on all the pressure. No, that didn't happen. The mandates were a symbol of his power over the people. Instead of easing back, he ramped it up and pulled the trigger. For the first time in Canadian history the Emergency Measures Act was enacted.

The Emergency Measures Act greatly increased the governments power to crush their opponents. Liberals wasted no time. The Freedom Convoy had raised over 10 million dollars in support. This money was frozen. The government suggested that GoFundMe give the money to other charities but instead, it was given back to donors. Further efforts to get finances to the truckers were also blocked. Then the government rolled up its sleeves and went after the little guy! Two hundred and fifty individuals who had donated to the convoy had their bank accounts frozen for an unspecified period of time. Those affected included families and elderly. It included a Mr Edward Cornell. Who is Mr Edward Cornell? He is a 65 year old retired warrant officer of the Canadian Armed Forces. On June 15, 1987 he was awarded a Metal Of Bravery in recognition of his acts of heroism in hazardous circumstances, during active duty in Cyprus. Mr Cornell is a Canadian hero. He says; “I broke no law, yet the government seized my accounts and froze my hard earned money. I am not a criminal. I am not a terrorist. I am a retired Canadian military veteran who honourably served his country... I feel betrayed by my own government.” (https://www.jccf.ca/fake-national-emergency-makes-canada-a-banana-republic/)

The freezing of citizens bank accounts inflicted serious hurt. It was meant to coerce people away from practising their democratic right to peaceful protest. Any family, single mother, student or senior that may have been affected, could not access their accounts to pay rent, buy food, pay for their medication, etc. No timeline was given for when they again could have access. For all involved, it was painful.

The freezing of bank accounts was not all that was coming down the pipe. Police Service Chief Peter Sloly was planning the big crackdown and break-up of the crowds. The Ottawa police had 1,200 sworn officers but Sloly said that he would need 1,800 to bring the protest to an end. Arrangements were made and with great force and violence, the police broke it up. The most shocking moment was when a Metis woman was trampled under the hoofs of an RCMP horse that had been ridden into the crowd. Most protesters left, but some formed a line and could be heard shouting “hold the line!” They were eventually brought down by police force.

Another Canadian who has felt the wrath of Trudeau is Tamarah Lich, the protest organizer. She has been arrested twice, and held without bail for weeks on end. She was brought into the court-room in shackles and chains, treatment normally reserved for dangerous criminals. Lich is a mother and a grandmother and has patiently endured this mistreatment.

Justin Trudeau decided to hold a Public Order Emergency Commission Inquiry, in which he, and others would be questioned on whether the government was justified in invoking the Emergencies Measures Act. Justin Trudeau picked a judge named judge Paul Rouleau to judge the matter and this judge subsequently ruled that Trudeau was justified.

However, this was not the end. We have a legal system in Canada that is there to judge the actions of not only citizens but also of governments as well. One problem with the system is that it moves very slow. However, it does move for those who will patiently wait. The case was tried again, this time officially, and this time by an independent judge, Justice Richard Mosley. On January 23, 2024 an Independent Federal Judge ruled that Trudeau's enacting of the Emergency Act was not justified. The ruling went further, it stated that the Trudeau government illegally violated the Charter Of Rights And Freedoms.

Mosley judged; ““I have concluded that the decision to issue the Proclamation does not bear the hallmarks of reasonableness – justification, transparency and intelligibility – and was not justified in relation to the relevant factual and legal constraints that were required to be taken into consideration,” (https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/federal-court-rules-emergencies-act-invocation-not-justified-1.6738624)

In order to justify the invoking of the Emergency Measures Act there is a very high bar that a government has to clear before it is justified to do so. It has to be a true national emergency that threatens the national security of the nation. The government's defence on this point was embarrassingly weak. The freedom convoy peaceful protests did not constitute a threat to the security of the nation.

According to a press release by the Canadian Constitutional Foundation, Trudeau was questioned on this point and he maintained that his cabinet made the decision based on a novel legal opinion but he has not make that opinion public.

The ruling also maintained that the Liberal government violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in two areas, Section 2(b) and Section 8. Section eight was breached when the Liberals froze people's bank accounts. Such action is “ unreasonable search or seizure of property.” Section 2(b) had to do with a Canadian's Charter of Rights must only be “ minimally impaired.” Trudeau on the other hand weaponized the Emergency Measures Act to inflict serious damage.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has publicly announced that the government will appeal the case.

One bright and shining moment at the end of all of this mandate mistake is the response of the new premier of Alberta, Mrs Danielle Smith. She was not Premier during the mandate crisis but lived through it as a citizen. Shortly after coming to leadership she announced :

“I’m deeply sorry for anyone who was inappropriately subjected to discrimination as a result of their vaccine status,”

(https://globalnews.ca/news/9226453/alberta-danielle-smith-international-attention/) Smith went further and dared to say that unvaccinated Canadians are the "most discriminated group" that she's witnessed in her lifetime. That affirmation is very warmly felt and appreciated by unvaccinated Canadians who have lived through quite a squeeze. Smith promised that this mandate mess will not happen again, not under her leadership in Alberta. She also fired the Alberta Health Minister who was responsible for the mandates in Alberta.

As an unvaccinated Canadian I wish to express that I am not trying to make anyone sick, nor am I saying that Covid was nothing. I came down with it too. I believe in showing common courtesies towards my fellow Canadians in all things reasonable. I believe in making sacrifices for others. It just became apparent to me and to many others that many of our political leaders were not being honest with us about the pandemic, the vaccines, or the mandates. I do not trust any of those politicians. Consequently, I chose not to follow their lead. The choice of Canadians nation-wide to not follow their government's lead, provoked a response from them that was very much over the top. They lost their heads. They went way off the deep end. This is my opinion. I don't want the side effects that many Canadians have had since taking the shots. I also would like to have my Charter of Rights Freedoms and use them too. My response has been peaceful protest. I respect the opinions of those who wanted to get the vaccines. I also forgive those individuals and institutions who were pushing the government's narrative at the time of the mandates and I forgive the government as well. Let's learn from the mandate disaster. Lets us all choose for ourselves in these matters of vaccines. God bless you.

Shawn Stevens

Endnotes