NEWSJANUARY 21, 2022
21 January 2022 | St Albans, UK [David Neal with Vanesa Pizzuto]
In a COVID-19 symposium hosted by The Trans-European Division (TED) leadership, professionals from different disciplines answered key questions about the coronavirus pandemic, personal liberties, and the use of vaccines.
The 19th of January symposium, “Vaccines, Freedom and Loving Our Neighbour” was broadcast via the TED YouTube channel, with over 400 viewers watching live and nearly 3,000 more views at the time of writing. Four presentations were given by two medical doctors, a theologian, and an attorney, followed by eighty minutes for questions and answers.
Ganoune Diop, PhD, director of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, explored the nature and scope of religious freedom. While explicitly supporting individual choices, Diop stated that “personal conviction is not corporate responsibility” and called the COVID-19 pandemic “a public health issue, a life and death issue… not one of religious liberty”. Diop spent the last part of his presentation debunking common myths about the vaccine. “To reduce the mark of the beast to a vaccine is simply sacrilegious,” said Diop who also called people not to “weaponize vaccination” and to respect those we disagree with.
Attorney Jennifer Woods, PARL associate director at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, explored the history of vaccination and its importance in eradicating diseases. Woods also discussed vaccination mandates and the tension between protecting individual liberties and public health. “To ethically justify mandates, the benefits must outweigh the risks,” said she. Wood concluded her presentation reflecting on why some vaccine objections aren’t a religious liberty issue and why Christians should be careful when considering this matter.
Attorney Jennifer Woods, PARL associate director at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, explored the history of vaccination and its importance in eradicating diseases. Woods also discussed vaccination mandates and the tension between protecting individual liberties and public health. “To ethically justify mandates, the benefits must outweigh the risks,” said she. Wood concluded her presentation reflecting on why some vaccine objections aren’t a religious liberty issue and why Christians should be careful when considering this matter.
