Thought Control

Satan whispering to the Antichrist from “Deeds of the Antichrist” by Luca Signorelli (c. 1501), (PD-Art, PD-old)

• Isabelle Vaughn-Spruce has been arrested a second time in Britain for the crime of praying silently in the so called “buffer zone” outside an abortion clinic [1A].  Britain has made it illegal for anyone in the buffer zones established around abortion clinics to express disapproval of abortion by verbal or written means.  Vaughn-Spruce (who admittedly was situated within the designated zone) was not picketing with photos of bloody fetuses, shouting abuses, chanting slogans, attempting to counsel anyone, or so much as praying aloud at the time of her arrest.

• The House of Commons voted this week to criminalize all manner of “influence” near abortion clinics in England and Wales, including silent prayer [1B].

It was George Orwell who coined the phrase “Thought Police” in his dystopian novel 1984 [2].  But the criminalization of thought is becoming a tragic reality even in the Western world.

Neurotechnology

Perhaps more chilling is the fact that thought control is rapidly becoming a reality, as well.  Brainwave activity can now be monitored and modified by neurotechnology [3A].

Electrodes applied to the head can already detect neural signals and alter those signals using a low voltage current. Devices equipped with such electrodes are being touted as a miracle “cure” for paralysis, and marketed to consumers interested to improve their mental health.

The same devices, however, are available to authoritarian governments, military establishments, and private corporations worldwide whose intentions are far less altruistic.

Though complex thoughts cannot yet be read by this technology, some aspects of brain activity have been decoded.  Claims are made that metrics for focus/fatigue, engagement/boredom, frustration, and stress can all be measured with a high degree of accuracy [3B].

Meanwhile, firms like Elon Musk’s Neuralink are in the process of developing next-generation brain implants with still greater power [3C].

Thought Control, Privacy, and Free Will

Involuntary neural surveillance and neural investigative tools could eliminate the last vestige of privacy, and may go so far as to eliminate the very capacity for free will.

The Mark of the Beast

The book of Revelation describes the Antichrist as a leader aligned with Satan who will control the world and its economy, forcing everyone to receive a mark, either on the right hand or forehead.  Without that mark, no one will be able to buy or sell (Rev. 13: 5-8, 16-17).

Ultimately, the Antichrist will proclaim himself to be God and demand worship (2 Thess. 2: 3-4).  Believers are for that reason urged in the strongest terms to avoid taking his mark:

“…‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.  He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb’ ” (Rev. 14: 9-10).

We can only speculate on what the mark of the beast will be.

How difficult would it be for the Antichrist to utilize such technology for his malign purposes?  We know that, once the mark of the beast is taken, no further choice will be possible.

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[1A and 1B]  Fox News, “UK Woman arrested a second time for ‘offense’ of silently praying outside an abortion clinic:  ‘This isn’t 1984’” by Kendall Dietz, 3/7/23, https://www.foxnews.com/media/uk-woman-arrested-second-time-offense-silently-praying-outside-abortion-clinic.

[2]  Wikipedia, “Nineteen Eighty-Four”, ttps://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=wikipedia+1984+by+george+orwell.

[3A, 3B, and 3C]  The Guardian, “Prof. Nita Farahany:  ‘We need a new human right to cognitive liberty’” by Zoe Corbyn, 3/4/23, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/04/prof-nita-farahany-we-need-a-new-human-right-to-cognitive-liberty?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1.

READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse  https://www.avoicereclaimed.com