“The Bible was inspired by God…. This isn’t so with …

Comment on COVID-19 and Vaccines – Update by Sean Pitman.

“The Bible was inspired by God…. This isn’t so with the current antigovernment and anti-Vaxx conspiracy theories.” – Sean Pitman

AB: “Brother Revelation 18:23 mentions the pharmakeia that Babylon would employ to deceive the world at the end of time. The Bible and history are symbiotically linked. Prophecy is constantly pointing us to look at history for the fulfillment of its symbols.”

I think you make very shaky Biblical interpretations that aren’t what you claim them to be – certainly not with regard to some worldwide government conspiracy behind the COVID-19 pandemic. You’re making medical claims that are opposed to the significant weight of empirical evidence that we have in hand. Again, why ignore the significant increase in the all-cause death rate, starting in March of 2020, for almost every country around the world? – accusing governmental and even medical providers of collectively and consistently falsifying data? In reality, the evidence in hand isn’t just politically motivated here. It’s coming in from all over the place. Do you also not believe that India is having a huge problem right now with COVID-19? – with many thousands dying daily from this pandemic? Is that also some political conspiracy?

I’m sorry, but you’re being deceived here and it is harming your credibility when you promote such weak anti-government conspiracy theories. Don’t try to bring on the Time of Trouble before it’s actually here…

Regarding Revelation 18:23, in particular, the term “pharmakeia” is best translated as “sorcery” here. There is no intended advice at all against modern medicine in this passage. What, are you suggesting that medications like antibiotics to treat bacterial infections or insulin to treat diabetes are evil “sorceries”? Again, such arguments only make the Christians who say such things look sensational and irrational – which puts the Gospel Message itself into a bad light for those who are considering following Christ.

Sean Pitman Also Commented

COVID-19 and Vaccines – Update
I’m sorry, but as best as I can tell, you’ve been seriously deceived…


COVID-19 and Vaccines – Update
As I’ve asked others, why do you think that the overall “all-cause” death rate in the United States, and around the world, suddenly spiked in March of 2020 if this pandemic we’re in is really no big deal? – if the death rates have been so exaggerated as you claim? If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, what else has killed off more than 600,000 people so far in this country alone (3.9 million worldwide)? – beyond what would usually be expected? (Link)

I’m sorry, but Dr. McCullough is basing his position off of a false interpretation of the VAERS data (maintained by the FDA and CDC by the way) and false interpretations of a few other papers as well, which he evidently doesn’t understand.


COVID-19 and Vaccines – Update
Hi M_____,

I hesitate to respond to your latest E-mail (since I’ve already responded extensively to ____ on this topic). I must say, however, that both of you are sharing a great deal of misinformation. For example, you claim that the mRNA vaccines done in animal trials were a failure. While it is true that prior research on mRNA vaccines, starting some decades ago, did have trouble overcoming an effect called, “antibody-dependent enhancement” (ADE), this problem was actually overcome for the mRNA vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Link). These modern mRNA vaccines underwent double-blinded placebo-controlled trials in both humans and animals with great success. There simply were no ADE problems – or any other high-risk problem. In fact, the mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 proved themselves to be far more effective than anticipated, and very safe – far far safer than exposing one’s self to the actual SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.

Yet, you cite the VAERS database as listing a host of vaccine injuries (co-managed by CDC and FDA by the way). Why is it, do you think, that the CDC and FDA make public the VAERS database? – if they are truly out to injure people with vaccines? You would think that, if these government organizations are truly evil, that they would want to hide this information – right? The problem with VAERS is that many people who promote conspiracy theories don’t understand how it works or its real purpose. Anyone can post pretty much anything to the VAERS database without any demonstration of a causal relationship between their symptoms and the vaccine they took – or anything else. So, what’s the point of VAERS? Well, it’s used to detect unusual patterns in large populations that should be investigated further (Link).

As far as the mRNA vaccines being “experimental”, that’s also not true. These vaccines have been studied for over 30 years now. Sure, they weren’t rolled out for general public use until a few months ago, but this doesn’t make them “experimental” in nature. They underwent extensive human and animal trials with great success. Over 70,000 human volunteers participated in these trials. And, since they have been rolled out to the general public, their success, and their safety, have been even further supported after observing hundreds of millions of vaccines given. As far as the FDA only issuing an “emergency use authorization” rather than full approval of the mRNA vaccines, this is because of the 6-month rule where a vaccine or medication must be observed during a trial period for at least 6 months before being considered for full approval. This is because the odds that something new or unexpected will be discovered beyond the six months of observation during trials are extremely low (given our extensive past experience with vaccines). Of course, now that these 6 months of observation have been met, Pfizer is planning on filing for full FDA approval by the end of this month (May 2021).

But what about the risk of blood clots that have been discovered? First off, this risk is quite rare and is associated with the DNA vaccines, not the mRNA vaccines. So, if one has the option, I would favor the mRNA vaccines over the DNA vaccines (Link).

By comparison, the smallpox vaccine that William White took, with his mother’s full knowledge and support by the way, along with his associates, was far far more risky. In fact, the smallpox vaccine is probably the riskiest vaccine ever made. In her day, about 1 person for every 1000 people vaccinated for smallpox for the first time experienced serious reactions/complications. Even by 1969 studies showed that out of every one million people vaccinated at least one will die due to vaccine complications. It is for this reason that:

“Scientists call it [the smallpox vaccine] the most dangerous vaccine known to man.” (David Kohn, The Most Dangerous Vaccine, CBS News, 2002)

Yet, she still approved of her own son William getting the smallpox vaccine even though he had been injured by a vaccine as a child. Why? Because, the risk of getting infected by smallpox was much much higher than the risk of the smallpox vaccine – even for those following the Health Message given to Mrs. White. Clearly, then, Mrs. White was not at all opposed to vaccines since she had her own children vaccinated and even supported them getting vaccinated as adults – despite having experienced a bad outcome with vaccines. Given all of this, I believe D. E. Robinson, the personal secretary for Mrs. White for 13 years, when he said that she was also vaccinated for smallpox at one point – and encouraged her own staff to be vaccinated as well. The common response that Robinson either lied or couldn’t remember the facts correctly (Link) seems like a desperate argument given all of the information we have of Mrs. White supporting the best of modern medical care and treatments of her day. She even supported the use of quinine to treat malaria (Link) and she recognized the advantages of anesthesia during surgery and the use of medicines to relieve the intense pain and suffering of the injured or sick (Link). She recommended blood transfusions when needed, despite the risks involved (Link) – and even had radiation therapy to resolve a skin lesion on her face (Link).

You yourself say that “there may be a place for a drug in an emergency situation”. Well, what do you call this pandemic we’re in if not an emergency situation? The conspiratorial claim that this pandemic is nothing but another “flu season” is nonsense. Well over 500k people died in this country alone within just one year because of this pandemic. The situation is the same worldwide. India is really suffering right now with many thousands dying every day of COVID-19. And, even for those who don’t die, up to 1/3 will develop long-term injuries called “Long-Hauler’s Syndrome”. This is true even for children (Link). Your own brother-in-law, Dr. Roger Seheult, has personally seen dozens and dozens of people die from this – the MICUs where he works packed with very sick people. I’ve seen it myself. People suffocate to death and their blood turns to jello. It isn’t an easy way to go. I’ve seen my local MICU filled with COVID-19 patients on ventilators. Over a dozen friends of my own family have died from this. This pandemic just isn’t “another flu season”. It just isn’t. I’d say that if there ever was an emergency situation, this is it! And, for those who say, “Well, I’m healthy and my personal risk from this pandemic is very low.” – what about your risk of transmitting the virus to someone else who isn’t as resistant as you may be? Are you Ok with the possibility of contributing to the injury or death of someone else? – when you had the opportunity to significantly reduce your own risk of being able to transmit this virus to others? For me, this played a big part in my own decision to get the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 as soon as it was available to me. I considered it to be my Christian responsibility to my neighbors…

As far as citing Revelation 18:23 where the Greek word “pharmakia” is used, the best translation of this word is “sorcery”. It has nothing to do with the use of modern medicine. What, are you opposed to the judicial use of antibiotics for those who have a serious bacterial infection? – or the use of insulin for those suffering from Type I diabetes? As Ellen White once said regarding such things, “We are expected to do the best we can” (Link). Interpreting the Bible in the way that you’re suggesting here only makes Christianity appear sensational and irrational. This sort of thing simply doesn’t present the Gospel Message in an attractive light. Therefore, I strongly advise you to steer clear of such sensational conspiracy theories. Their promotion simply doesn’t help to effectively expand the Kingdom of Heaven.

All the best to you and yours,

Sean


Recent Comments by Sean Pitman

Conrad Vine Continues to Attack Church Leadership
I think that there can be a reasonable combination of the best of modern medicine as well as the best of healthful living and natural remedies such as exercise, sunlight, vitamin D, “forest bathing”, good sleep, vegan or at least a vegetarian diet, etc…


Conrad Vine Continues to Attack Church Leadership
You opted not to get vaccinated during the pandemic, for whatever reason, but did not advise others to do the same. That’s fine. I think you probably increased your own risk a bit, but that’s far better than giving medical advice to others when you don’t know for sure that you’re right – especially for those who were at higher risk than you. It’s also good that you supported others who did choose to get vaccinated.

As far as SDA hospitals and organizations, I agree that there has been some drift from the ideal. I’m not happy that so many non-SDAs are hired to work in and to be leaders. I’m also disappointed that there isn’t a lot more emphasis, direction, and teaching with regard to healthful living. There are some who are doing this, like Dr. Roger Seheult. However, there does seem to be a lack of an organized or official emphasis on how to living healthful so as to avoid having to use so many medications for chronic conditions that are largely self-inflicted. Now, I do sympathize that quick fixed and pills are what most patients want. Most doesn’t want to give up their back health habits, so doctors often just give up and give their patients what they want. Still, this does not excuse the lack of effort along these lines in our hospitals and medical schools. Also, more should be done to spread the Gospel Message in our hospitals as well…


Conrad Vine Continues to Attack Church Leadership
Thank you for your kind words and support. I really appreciate it very much!


Conrad Vine Continues to Attack Church Leadership
I’m fine with open dialogue, but that includes presenting and at least understanding things from the GC’s perspective and why the significant majority of SDAs and GC delegates believe that the GC did the right thing during the pandemic and with the original 2015 statement on vaccines.


Conrad Vine Continues to Attack Church Leadership
So, it’s impossible to be a doctor who promotes the best of modern medicine as well as the best natural remedies and still be a follower of Jesus? Really? Not even Ellen White could be saved then…