To vax? To not vax? Anti-vax vs. Pro-vax. I had a conversation yesterday with people whom I respect who also held views that differed from mine. It was an exchange where each party simply sought to understand the other’s viewpoint and the reasons for it. Sort of like a free exchange in a marketplace of ideas protected under the 1st amendment. In other words, the exact opposite of social media. In addition to being one of the better conversations I’ve had recently, it’s started me thinking again about what is good and bad for my body and what should go into it.
It seems as though the world has very strange lines drawn around what is legal (acceptable) and illegal (unacceptable). Picture these two scenarios.
Scenario 1:
A retired couple. The man wakes up and has a couple cups of coffee (caffeine) while catching up on the news of the day. Eats an apple, tells his wife “bye” and heads off to the gym. Pops an edible (THC) before heading in and doing 30 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of lifting; maybe a quick swim. He stops off by the deli for a turkey sandwich (Tryptophan), comes home and takes a nap. Wakes up and maybe reads a book or goes on a walk. Comes home and pops a couple beers or a nice sipping whiskey (alcohol) while reviewing his investments and planning short- and near-term strategies. Goes off to bed and with a couple melatonin (not an externally derived substance I know). Reads and drifts off to sleep.
Scenario 2:
That same guy at 45 and still working. Wakes up has a cup of coffee on his way to work. Stops off at Hardee’s drive through for a combo meal and a large coke. The work is somewhat sedentary with not much calorie burn. Lunch rolls around. “Insert Hardee’s combo lunch equivalent here.” By the time 2:00 rolls around, the afternoon drag hits. He washes his anxiety med down with an energy drink and makes it home. He plops down in a chair and watches his favorite echo chamber. He gets angry at what the moving picture tells him he should be angry about. He goes to bed anxious and frustrated. Pops a couple prescription sleeping pills and drifts off to sleep.
Which is healthier? When I think along these lines, it’s very difficult to think the 2nd is healthier than the 1st even with the 1st including things that are illegal in some areas. Strange what is and is not legal in this country sometimes. I have a bias here because I’m human. I drew the contrast above to make the difference easier to see and not because everyone is one or the other. We are all a bit of both of course.
The more interesting question is what to think of this in relation to Christianity? The latter half of 1 Corinthians 6 offers some guidance even though it is talking mostly about sexual immorality. It does clearly state that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit as plain as day. What does this mean for a Christian asking questions about what is and is not permissible for ingesting in one’s temple for the Holy Spirit? What indeed.
Throne Time 