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RFID - VeriChip - Mark of the beast?

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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,534 ✭✭✭Soul Winner


    Only Wicknight can derail a thread by building up a strawman like this.

    OP: What are your thoughts on XYZ. Mine is that I believe XYZ is such and such.

    Wicknight: Religious people are afraid of technology because XYZ. Where is the bible support for this?

    :confused:

    Jimi has already answered your questions but let me put it this way: Is there the faintest, slightest possibility that some sort of technology just might need to be employed to administer marks that are to be placed on billions of people around the world so that they can buy and sell? I would say that there is the slightest of possibilities of that yes. How else would you do it? Do I believe that the RFID and Verichip are the actual mark of the beast? No, but I do believe that if the prophecies in the Book of Revelation are correct then this is the kind of technology that will be used when the time comes for people to be given the mark, but that's just my opinion, which I could be wrong about, and until I hear good arguments to make me change my mind I will stick with that thanks.

    But even if this is true, does it mean that the Bible condemns all kinds of technology? No, that is just a strawman that Wicknight is building up in order to derail this thread even though in my OP I first of all highlighted all the positives that this type of technology embraces., i.e. child protection, monitoring of the sick and of prisoners and so on.

    Anyway getting away from what some of us believe the Bible warns against, what about the civil liberties issues surrounding this? Should a 911 type national security event take place somewhere in the world, which would result in having the effect of tightening the compulsory noose for technology like this, would you take the chip without any qualms? Or would you resist it? If so why? And if not why?


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,598 ✭✭✭✭prinz


    Anyway getting away from what some of us believe the Bible warns against, what about the civil liberties issues surrounding this? Should a 911 type national security event take place somewhere in the world, which would result in having the effect of tightening the compulsory noose for technology like this, would you take the chip without any qualms? Or would you resist it? If so why? And if not why?

    If the chip was my ID, medical history, organ donor preference/next of kin etc then I'd have no problems whatsoever with taking one. I have nothing to hide, I wouldn't feel my civil liberties were in the slightest bit threatened.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭JimiTime


    prinz wrote: »
    If the chip was my ID, medical history, organ donor preference/next of kin etc then I'd have no problems whatsoever with taking one. I have nothing to hide, I wouldn't feel my civil liberties were in the slightest bit threatened.

    TBH, if its to come into being, it will be sold to us as something for our benefit. Convenient etc. Its what is NOT said that I'd be weary of. Also, once it becomes the norm, what additional stuff will be added? As governments change, what will the info be used for? Lets say it has info about your religious convictions, and down the generational line, religion gets banned or something. All in all, I'm wary over its introduction to humans.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,598 ✭✭✭✭prinz


    JimiTime wrote: »
    Also, once it becomes the norm, what additional stuff will be added? As governments change, what will the info be used for? Lets say it has info about your religious convictions, and down the generational line, religion gets banned or something. All in all, I'm wary over its introduction to humans.

    I remember once somewhere seeing how these kind of arguments have accompanied a whole range of things, for example radios and tvs. They were accused of brining government propaganda into the home and whatnot. Each new thing comes with pros and cons.

    Yes it could be used for evil. For every nefarious way it could be used anyone determined enough to want to use it that way will just find another method.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭JimiTime


    prinz wrote: »
    I remember once somewhere seeing how these kind of arguments have accompanied a whole range of things, for example radios and tvs. They were accused of brining government propaganda into the home and whatnot. Each new thing comes with pros and cons.

    Yes it could be used for evil. For every nefarious way it could be used anyone determined enough to want to use it that way will just find another method.

    Maybe that is the case, thats no arguement for it though. Not to mention the fact that with alot of technology has brought alot of cons due to its abuse. Is it a reason to stop technology? No. However, everything should be taken on its merit. Just because someone was wary of radio, doesn't mean we shouldn't be wary of RFID. I mean lets face it, abuse of the radio etc is one thing, the implications of a possible abuse in RFID would be quite another. As I said, I'd be very wary and would like to know a hell of alot about it before someone sticks one in me. I'd like to add up the pro's and cons of its possible applications. One things for sure though, I wouldn't base it on what its being sold to us as.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭iUseVi


    JimiTime wrote: »
    Maybe that is the case, thats no arguement for it though. Not to mention the fact that with alot of technology has brought alot of cons due to its abuse. Is it a reason to stop technology? No. However, everything should be taken on its merit. Just because someone was wary of radio, doesn't mean we shouldn't be wary of RFID. I mean lets face it, abuse of the radio etc is one thing, the implications of a possible abuse in RFID would be quite another. As I said, I'd be very wary and would like to know a hell of alot about it before someone sticks one in me. I'd like to add up the pro's and cons of its possible applications. One things for sure though, I wouldn't base it on what its being sold to us as.

    No offence Jimi, but you seem to have a "they vs us" mentally going in this post. It's people like Wicknight and me who are involved with the technology and I can assure you I'm not part of any grand conspiracy to "sell it to the masses". :D

    The technology itself is entirely neutral, if you are concerned about private data collection and abuse of such data; I'd focus more on google and facebook et al. :) It's perhaps unfortunate for the conspiracy-minded people that these don't fit biblical prophecies so easily. Because let's face it, the only reason RFID is targeted more than google is that it can be made to fit such prophecies.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,293 ✭✭✭StealthRolex


    iUseVi wrote: »
    No offence Jimi, but you seem to have a "they vs us" mentally going in this post. It's people like Wicknight and me who are involved with the technology and I can assure you I'm not part of any grand conspiracy to "sell it to the masses". :D

    Ah, but what if you have been manipulated by your "masters" eh?, eh? :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭iUseVi


    Ah, but what if you have been manipulated by your "masters" eh?, eh? :D

    Yes, also I could be lying! Time for home, better call my black helicopter....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    JimiTime wrote: »
    Sorry, just to clarify. You think these folk think this specific technology is evil in itself? OR are you saying these people think technology as a whole is evil?

    The impression I get is that they think technological advance is evil in of itself, or at least more evil than good.

    But like I said I'll wait and see what the response is.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    :confused:

    No need to be confused, I'm simply trying to understand how we go from a mark on your hand to RFID tags and barcodes.

    I suppose in hind-sight the question could be put as What makes people think that the mark on the hand isn't going to be a mark on your hand?
    Jimi has already answered your questions but let me put it this way: Is there the faintest, slightest possibility that some sort of technology just might need to be employed to administer marks that are to be placed on billions of people around the world so that they can buy and sell? I would say that there is the slightest of possibilities of that yes. How else would you do it?
    An RFID tag is not a mark, that is in fact the point of an RFID tag, it is wireless.

    We have probably already skipped over anything that relate back to Revelations in terms of technology. Presenting your hand so that someone can see a mark on it to allow you to buy stuff is not something that is particularly likely in the future since technology has already advanced passed such a point.

    The safest place to put a RFID take in a human is in the arm or bum, and you simply walk through the scanner, you don't show the tag to anyone or anything.
    But even if this is true, does it mean that the Bible condemns all kinds of technology? No, that is just a strawman that Wicknight is building up in order to derail this thread

    I never claimed the Bible condemned technology, quite the opposite in fact. I had a hunch that the Bible was not talking about being concerned about anything as technologically advanced as a barcode or RFID tag in revelations.

    Which is why I found it confusing that people jump to these technologies as some sort of evidence of what is coming.

    The OP was also asking for atheist opinions and discussing the menice of these technologies in a general sense, so I'm not sure I'm derailing the thread.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,534 ✭✭✭Soul Winner


    OOpps. EDIT: Replied prematurely.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭JimiTime


    iUseVi wrote: »
    No offence Jimi, but you seem to have a "they vs us" mentally going in this post.

    No offence taken. I've got me a shield to protect me from taking offence:

    tinfoilhat.jpg
    It's people like Wicknight and me who are involved with the technology and I can assure you I'm not part of any grand conspiracy to "sell it to the masses". :D

    I never mentioned conspiracy, I mentioned the abuse of technology. Do I think Blofeld is somewhere laughing evily as his evil plan comes together? No I don't. Just like I don't think Einstein was thinking of atomic bombs, or internet developers were thinking about spreading child porn.

    Do I trust world powers to be moral and ethical? No. Do I think its 'us and them'. Maybe slightly.
    The technology itself is entirely neutral,

    I know.
    if you are concerned about private data collection and abuse of such data; I'd focus more on google and facebook et al. :)

    Indeed. As I said, If RFID was proposed, I'd want to know a hell of alot about it. I would hope anyone would.
    It's perhaps unfortunate for the conspiracy-minded people that these don't fit biblical prophecies so easily. Because let's face it, the only reason RFID is targeted more than google is that it can be made to fit such prophecies.

    If it 'can' be made to fit such prophecies I'd believe it. At the moment however, it can't fit such prophecies, so its inconsequential. People who shout 'Its The Mark', would likely be saying such things about something else if RFID wasn't about.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,534 ✭✭✭Soul Winner


    Wicknight wrote: »
    No need to be confused, I'm simply trying to understand how we go from a mark on your hand to RFID tags and barcodes.

    The key is not so much the mark, rather it is the buying and selling part of the prophecy that gives us the problem. If the prophecy is correct then whatever this mark is will allow people to buy and sell because according to the prophecy we will not be able to buy and sell without it. Now what other candidates do we have that might be able to fulfill this prophecy apart from RFID and VeriChip technology?
    Wicknight wrote: »
    I suppose in hind-sight the question could be put as What makes people think that the mark on the hand isn't going to be a mark on your hand?

    Good question. That is a a roundabout way of asking the same question I asked. Thanks ;)
    Wicknight wrote: »
    An RFID tag is not a mark, that is in fact the point of an RFID tag, it is wireless.

    Well lets see now, the word in Revelation is Charagma which means stamp or scratch or etching. A stamp or branding system used by cattle herders identifies their cattle as belonging to them. Although very basic, they do contain information which can be understood by the use of symbols and letters etc. The information that a chip would contain would significantly surpass that of a simple stamp, but under an X-ray machine this is exactly what a chip would look like.

    In addition to this, the prophecy also tells us that the mark will be IN the hand or IN the forehead it does not say that it will be On the hand or On the forehead specifically. The Greek word is Epi which can be rendered Onto, Over, or Within. So although most of the English translations render it 'On' it is not restricted to that, it can also be rendered 'In' or 'Within'.
    Wicknight wrote: »
    We have probably already skipped over anything that relate back to Revelations in terms of technology. Presenting your hand so that someone can see a mark on it to allow you to buy stuff is not something that is particularly likely in the future since technology has already advanced passed such a point.

    Buying on-line yes but in what way has technology advanced past this point? Aren't we still using credit cards in supermarkets and such? And aren't credit cards more susceptible to theft than a chip located inside your body?
    Wicknight wrote: »
    The safest place to put a RFID take in a human is in the arm or bum, and you simply walk through the scanner, you don't show the tag to anyone or anything.

    What about the people who would like to use this technology for shopping? Wouldn't it be 'handier' (pun intended) in the hand?
    Wicknight wrote: »
    I never claimed the Bible condemned technology, quite the opposite in fact. I had a hunch that the Bible was not talking about being concerned about anything as technologically advanced as a barcode or RFID tag in revelations.

    If you actually have an opinion on what the Bible actual is referring to then I'd love to hear it.
    Wicknight wrote: »
    Which is why I found it confusing that people jump to these technologies as some sort of evidence of what is coming.

    Well if the cap fits...
    Wicknight wrote: »
    The OP was also asking for atheist opinions and discussing the menice of these technologies in a general sense, so I'm not sure I'm derailing the thread.

    But you did try (unintentionally probably) to derail the thread. You immediately jumped into strawannig before you gave your opinion on what was asked in the OP, which is what I welcomed from the Athesists and Agnostics, not strawman arguments.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    The key is not so much the mark, rather it is the buying and selling part of the prophecy that gives us the problem. If the prophecy is correct then whatever this mark is will allow people to buy and sell because according to the prophecy we will not be able to buy and sell without it. Now what other candidates do we have that might be able to fulfill this prophecy apart from RFID and VeriChip technology?

    Well visa card, or cheque or even paper money itself.

    You can't buy and sell anything in this country without access to paper money, and if we aren't concerned about the mark itself and what nature it takes this would seem to be the most obvious.

    If it is the identification aspect then a visa card or cheque identifies you as much as a RFID tag.

    All an RFID tag would be would be quicker implementation of all this. It is an wireless version of what you already do.
    In addition to this, the prophecy also tells us that the mark will be IN the hand or IN the forehead it does not say that it will be On the hand or On the forehead specifically. The Greek word is Epi which can be rendered Onto, Over, or Within. So although most of the English translations render it 'On' it is not restricted to that, it can also be rendered 'In' or 'Within'.

    Again this is where the link to RFID tags breaks down since it seems rather unlikely you would place an RFID tag in your hand. There are plenty of other, better, places to put it.
    Buying on-line yes but in what way has technology advanced past this point? Aren't we still using credit cards in supermarkets and such? And aren't credit cards more susceptible to theft than a chip located inside your body?

    We have already started to move away from RFID to biometrics. There are plenty of things that uniquely identify you without the need of a RFID tag, we just need to advance technology to the point where they can be identified.
    What about the people who would like to use this technology for shopping? Wouldn't it be 'handier' (pun intended) in the hand?

    No. That is the thing I think people aren't understanding here. The RFID scanner will be in the door way to the supermarket. You walk in, pick up what you want, and walk out. As you walk out the RFID tag, in your hand your arm your bum your wallet your belt where-ever, is scanned and your account credited. Even if you put it in your hand you don't need to put your hand anywhere, your hand can be picking your nose as you walk out for all the scanner cares about.

    There is no advantage to putting the RFID tag in your hand. The only reason to implant the tag is to stop you losing it. It can be anywhere.
    If you actually have an opinion on what the Bible actual is referring to then I'd love to hear it.

    I think the Bible is referring to branding like would have been common with slaves in Roman times, a burn mark on the back of the hand to identify the person as he hands over coins to the person selling them goods.
    You immediately jumped into strawannig before you gave your opinion on what was asked in the OP, which is what I welcomed from the Athesists and Agnostics, not strawman arguments.

    I didn't straw man anything, people seemed to misunderstood what I was saying in relation to the Bible, thinking (I'm not sure how) that I was saying the Bible teaches to be weary of technology, when I was actually trying to clarify the exact opposite.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,872 ✭✭✭strobe


    JimiTime wrote: »
    TBH, if its to come into being, it will be sold to us as something for our benefit. Convenient etc. Its what is NOT said that I'd be weary of. Also, once it becomes the norm, what additional stuff will be added? As governments change, what will the info be used for? Lets say it has info about your religious convictions, and down the generational line, religion gets banned or something. All in all, I'm wary over its introduction to humans.

    Don't they already have that exact information already? You have a PSI number and you (presumably) write your religion down on your census form. Or if you don't I'm guessing you go to some type of church somewhere? You probably have a bank account and your address is more than likely known to several organisations, including the state. If a totalitarian regime was to come to power overnight and religion was made illegal tomorow you would be in just as vunerable a position with or without a chip in your hand? Lets face it, if the government had the ability and the will to round up and imprison/murder the countries Christians next Tuesday, a lack of VeriChips in peoples hands would be no obstacle whatsoever.

    I think people underestimate what the state would be capable of right now were things to go suddenly Germany 1930's'ish and vastly overestimate what advantage a chip system would give them. Apart from cutting down slightly on paperwork.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,293 ✭✭✭StealthRolex


    there's more information in a Tescos clubcard file than anything MI5 or the branch has on you.

    Tescos, every little 'elps. but helps who?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    there's more information in a Tescos clubcard file than anything MI5 or the branch has on you.

    Tescos, every little 'elps. but helps who?

    Them obviously. They use the information to track purchasing habits so they know which demographic buys which products and can target them more accurately.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,418 ✭✭✭JimiTime


    strobe wrote: »
    Don't they already have that exact information already? You have a PSI number and you (presumably) write your religion down on your census form. Or if you don't I'm guessing you go to some type of church somewhere? You probably have a bank account and your address is more than likely known to several organisations, including the state. If a totalitarian regime was to come to power overnight and religion was made illegal tomorow you would be in just as vunerable a position with or without a chip in your hand? Lets face it, if the government had the ability and the will to round up and imprison/murder the countries Christians next Tuesday, a lack of VeriChips in peoples hands would be no obstacle whatsoever.

    I think people underestimate what the state would be capable of right now were things to go suddenly Germany 1930's'ish and vastly overestimate what advantage a chip system would give them. Apart from cutting down slightly on paperwork.

    My example was off the cuff, no real thought in it tbh.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,406 Mod ✭✭✭✭robindch


    Wicknight wrote: »
    They use the information to track purchasing habits so they know which demographic buys which products and can target them more accurately.
    And to make money from selling your name to marketing companies and outfits doing research into consumer behaviour etc. And to companies which sell companion products to items which you purchase regularly (ie, you start buying nappies, and you find yourself surrounded with offers for baby food).

    Best way to avoid this kind of identity monitoring is not to have a store or loyalty card, to pay with cash at the checkout, and to credit the "loyalty" due to your purchases to the next sap in the queue -- the latter buggers their behavioral analysis good and proper.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    robindch wrote: »
    And to make money from selling your name to marketing companies and outfits doing research into consumer behaviour etc. And to companies which sell companion products to items which you purchase regularly (ie, you start buying nappies, and you find yourself surrounded with offers for baby food).

    Best way to avoid this kind of identity monitoring is not to have a store or loyalty card, to pay with cash at the checkout, and to credit the "loyalty" due to your purchases to the next sap in the queue -- the latter buggers their behavioral analysis good and proper.

    LOL, yeah they don't like that. I've been asked before not to take my friend in the queue's loyalty card, though I don't think they can stop you. Maybe it is in the terms and conditions.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,293 ✭✭✭StealthRolex


    robindch wrote: »
    And to make money from selling your name to marketing companies and outfits doing research into consumer behaviour etc. And to companies which sell companion products to items which you purchase regularly (ie, you start buying nappies, and you find yourself surrounded with offers for baby food).

    Best way to avoid this kind of identity monitoring is not to have a store or loyalty card, to pay with cash at the checkout, and to credit the "loyalty" due to your purchases to the next sap in the queue -- the latter buggers their behavioral analysis good and proper.

    I'm not sure I'd like to describe the guy next to me in the queue as a sap but I do like the idea of letting their card take the credits if it genuinely mucks up their system.

    Cheers robindch


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    MrPudding wrote: »
    In before the Run_to_da_hills.

    MrP

    :)
    .

    Almost Three Years ago.

    May as well merge this into a mega 666 thread. :p


  • Registered Users Posts: 438 ✭✭TravelJunkie


    Wicknight wrote: »
    The impression I get is that they think technological advance is evil in of itself, or at least more evil than good.

    But like I said I'll wait and see what the response is.

    I don't think anybody living in 2010 thinks technology is evil.

    Why would you suppose they do? Do you know any christians with no tv, phones, computers, mobiles, debit and credit cards?

    Come on.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭iUseVi


    I don't think anybody living in 2010 thinks technology is evil.

    Why would you suppose they do? Do you know any christians with no tv, phones, computers, mobiles, debit and credit cards?

    Come on.

    I laughed out loud at this. I actually really do you know.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    I don't think anybody living in 2010 thinks technology is evil.

    Why would you suppose they do? Do you know any christians with no tv, phones, computers, mobiles, debit and credit cards?

    Come on.
    Yes, the Amish Community.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,615 ✭✭✭✭J C


    JimiTime wrote: »
    Don't think its the mark of the beast and would second lmaopml's idea of how the mark would come about. However, I still hate the idea of it. I'm always wary when something is sold to me as security.
    You are right to be wary of something being 'sold' on the basis of 'peace and safety'.
    Here is what St Paul had to say about this
    1Th 5:1 ¶ But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
    2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
    3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
    4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
    5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
    6 ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
    7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
    8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
    9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
    10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    I don't think anybody living in 2010 thinks technology is evil.

    Why would you suppose they do? Do you know any christians with no tv, phones, computers, mobiles, debit and credit cards?

    Come on.

    Yes.

    But my point was more to do with fear of future technology. Didn't you just say your dying wish would be for your children to have nothing to do with RFID tags?


  • Registered Users Posts: 438 ✭✭TravelJunkie


    Wicknight wrote: »
    Yes.

    But my point was more to do with fear of future technology. Didn't you just say your dying wish would be for your children to have nothing to do with RFID tags?

    It mightn't have to do with RFID tags, it could be a whole other technology that's evolved from RFID by then.

    In any case, yes, I would not want to see them have any sort of chip or whatever implanted in their wrist or forehead.
    But if the norm was to use RFID tags or other similar technology to identify their car, pet, whatever, that would be normal and fine.

    I was just saying - for me at least - there is a line. But it's not in the very near future. By then you and I will also be old and grey, if not passed away. Who knows... you might land up needing a refresher technology course too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    In any case, yes, I would not want to see them have any sort of chip or whatever implanted in their wrist or forehead.

    Can I ask why?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,408 ✭✭✭studiorat



    The choice will be simple and obvious - ally with the Beast or join the Christians.

    The very reason for making up this nonsense in the first place. Politics of fear an all...


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