www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall people tagged with computer chips

A business in Ohio has implanted computer chips in two of its employees in order to identify them. The purpose is to control access to a room with sensitive data. The chips act like i.d. badges, and they are "scanned" in order to allow access to the room.

On the one hand, this technology of implanting computer chips in people could be useful in some situations. Already, it is being used to keep track of Alzheimers patients. Theoretically, it could replace dog tags on military personnel. It could be used to keep track of prisoners and those under house arrest. Like this story relates, it can also be a way to enforce security at facilities. Etc.

What gives me *substantial* concern are the enormous potential abuses to privacy and civil liberties that come with this. There will be a temptation to tag everyone or almost everyone: for our own good, conveneince and protection. I don't know about you, but I don't want the government to have a chip in me and keeping track of my every movement.

I suppose this technology is like any other, going back to the invention of fire. It can be used to hurt and to help. It's up to us to choose how to use it. Let's *pray* that we do so wisely.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/ec414700-9bf4-11da-8baa-0000779e2340.html

-- John

I have to say that I think this is going a step too far .

Though I am not worried about carrying ID cards [ well think of the garbage we are already supposed to carry ] providing we give our permission for whatever data is encrypted on said cards, I'm just unhappy about having a chip implanted .

I know they says it's harmless , but at the same time those chips that are implanted in animals - like dogs holding Pets Passports over here - have been known to move and you can have problems locating them with the scanner.

No I'm sorry - surely they can find a better way to cope with security measures.

You don't have to have the chips implanted in you right? You can quit your job, right?

Getting chipped will probably be restricted to certain classes of people: soldiers, prisoners, Alzheimer�s patients, certain security jobs (like the one in the story), etc. Yes, there will be a temptation to chip everyone; but I don't think it is likely: too many people would protest.

What seems more likely is putting chips in products. The same technology ("RFID") could be used: small computer chips that are also small radio transmitters. Companies could implant these chips in their products both as substitutes for bar codes and to study how consumers actually use products after they are sold (for market research). The article also states that companies are thinking of doing this. Chipping products seems much more likely --it would be like cookies with websites. And it seems to be a back-door way for privacy to be, in effect, substantially eroded.

-- John

Sounds like an "end times thing" ... without being chipped, you won't be able to buy or sell...etc., etc., etc.

A company's data is sooooooooooooo sensitive that it has to resort to chipping their employees? Perhaps getting a new vp in charge of security would be a better avenue.

That thought had crossed my mind too. In the Book of Revelations, there is "the mark of the beast" which the antichrist will require of everyone.

However, that "mark" has changed over time. At one time, such as when the Book of Revelations was written, it was the mark of worshipping pagan idols. In modern times, in some places, it has been the mark of being a Nazi or a racist. I think the "mark of the beast" is more *any* outward, official rejection of the Living God than any one, specific mark or visible sign.

If an implanted computer chip became the modern equivalent of a cult or a rejection of God, ok: that would be bad. But I don't think chipping an Alzheimer's patient (so he can be tracked if he / she wanders away) counts as a sign of the apocalypse.

My concern over this technology is the potential for the erosion of privacy and civil liberties: by the government but especially by private corporations (especially by putting chips in products that we buy). Do we really want the government --or a collection of private companies-- tracking our movements at all times? I don't think so. I'm not worried that this is a sign of the antichrist. But I am worried that we could lose even more data-privacy and perhaps even some civil liberties if we are not mindful of the potential pitfalls of this technology.

This topic really has nothing to do with our religion, directly. But, indirectly, it has a lot to do with it. Christ came to give us freedom -- the freedom from sin and the freedom of life in union with God. Our secular notions of freedom pretty much revolve around the faculty of free will / choice: being able to choose what to do / say / think / etc. And that faculty of free will is very important for human life. It is only through the faculty of free will (by the grace of God) that we can choose to love and serve God. God can't choose for us. No one else can choose for us. Only we can choose for ourselves. Thus, safeguarding free will is (in my opinion) a very important issue for believers. It's not just to protect the freedom of religion although that is very important too); it is also to protect the basic, human quality of choice. Otherwise, we become robots, not men.

So I get pretty concerned --from a religious perspective as well as from a secular point of view-- when I see something that could erode free will in our society, especially in an insidious way.

And, I think that chipping people or (perhaps more so) chipping products could be an insidious threat to freedom. If people are being monitored all the time, by the government or by businesses, there will be a chilling effect on human behavior. People will explore less, dare less, speak less, risk less. Yes, they will also probably do less bad things. But, they will do less good things too. They will seek to be "safe" instead of taking a risk; and taking risks are basic not only for secular creativity, innovation and building, but also for the spiritual life. Where would we be now if Abraham, the prophets, the Theotokos, the apostles, and all the saints had not taken a risk to follow God? Etc.

I'm not trying to raise an alarm.

And, I'm not trying to say the end of the world is nigh.

But, I am saying that this new technology of tiny computer chips that are also tiny radio transmitters can be dangerous in its effects on human freedom. It can also be very useful for good purposes: again, there comes to mind the example of monitoring Alzheimer�s patients, etc. But, this thing could also be insidiously dangerous to freedom unless people --especially leaders in Church-- are conscious of its pitfalls and careful to avoid them and to help others to avoid them too.

Well, that's my two cents worth . . . and some change. ;-) Comments?

-- John

A whole new meaning to a chip on the shoulder.

LOL ! And, "a chip off the old block."

Dear John,

There is something here that frightens me. I recall about 25 years ago, they finally had a computor in Holland that could hold the names of every person in the world. They called it the 'beast'.

Now what frightens me is that suicide bombers and terrorists exist. So what if civil wars were to break out in Europe and here, and it became so serious and frightening that in order to safe guard everyone, people had to be identified immediately? In other words, a situation such as one that exists in Israel? Wouldn't the only solution be an implanted 'chip'?

Then there is the bank cards, credit cards, etc. The possibility exists that peoples identities could be stolen,etc., etc., etc.

So if someone popped up, a leader with the solution of a 'religion', such as New Age, that encompassed all religions...in order of course, to bring about 'peace'.

Now what seemed so strange in revalation, fits perfectly in our present age of television, computors, and implanted chips. I guess it's welcome Mr. Anti-Christ.

Some things have to occur though before his arrival, but the set-up is there. Especially this world economy of ours, where everyone is so inter-dependant. How would someone be able to buy and sell without the mark of the beast?

Zenovia

well it has happened - the perfect declaration of love on St Valentine's day

Couple\'s implant chips take love to a new level [ctv.ca]

It was bound to happen - and seemingly it has

Ain't life wonderful

Anhelyna

it is what it is, the 'Mark' is bound to come, if the computer chip is the 'mark of the beast' then ...it is what it is, we are in the time of the end, we just don't know when the 'end' is . BUT, read the Lord's words , and take them to heart, He did not say them for naught...did He. Mikhailo

I am very wary of reading current events into scripture, as well here it is, as if the text was related to specifics in our time. It is hallmark of fundamentalist Protestants to turn sacred scripture into a horoscope and depressing one at that, they never have good and joyful private interpretations I notice (always doom and gloom).
Anything can be abused. The knife on the table to cut food can be used to hold up a bank. Our Pascal Liturgy reminds us on the greatest feast in our calendar that death has been destroyed, so we should not be like the heathen going around in fear of our own shadow.

ICXC
NIKA

Dear Pavel you said:

"I am very wary of reading current events into scripture, as well here it is, as if the text was related to specifics in our time."

I say:

What I meant was that the 'set up' is there for an anti-Christ and world control. I didn't say he was coming. Frankly I don't like our world economic system and the interdependancy we all have on one another. All we need is one great natural disaster, and there will be famine everywhere.

As an example, our nation was not even prepared for what happened in New Orleans. It still isn't, and we're the United States of America. Many people there say that if it wasn't for the 'churches', that are interlinked with large religious charities to help people, many would have starved. Don't take my words out of context please.

Zenovia