Priests weigh in on Sen. Ron Johnson's take on COVID-19 vaccine, God
'Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease,' Johnson questioned on the Vicki McKenna show this week
'Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease,' Johnson questioned on the Vicki McKenna show this week
'Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease,' Johnson questioned on the Vicki McKenna show this week
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson defended natural immunity to COVID-19 on the Vicki McKenna Show this week.
Continuing Coverage: COVID-19 in Wisconsin
"Why do we think that we can create something better than God in terms of combating disease?" Johnson questioned. "Why do we assume that the bodies natural immune system isn't the marvel that it really is?"
Johnson, who said he would not get the COVID-19 vaccine, described how he previously tested positive for COVID and the antibodies.
He said he had no symptoms.
"Why would we automatically assume that our natural immunity is going to be awful," he continued on the show.
It was the comments about humans creating something better than God that caught the attention of several faith leaders, including renowned Priest James Martin.
Martin released the following statement to WISN 12:
"God created all that exists, which means God created the world and all that is in it, including humanity. But as part of our human existence, God also gave us brains, which we're meant to use to help ourselves, one another and all creation. In other words, one of the gifts that God has given to us is intelligence and ingenuity. Science is an outgrowth of this, and science and medicine have given us these vaccines, which help to save lives and lessen suffering. Why would we not use them? And if we're going to ignore science and medicine, then why go to doctors at all? Why even take an aspirin? Senator Johnson's remarks reveal not simply a misunderstanding of how science works, but how God works through us.”
WISN 12 reached out to Johnson for an interview.
His team instead referred reporters to Johnson's tweets, one of them stating, "I won't apologize for being in awe of creation or for the assumption that immunity from COVID infection might outperform immunity created in a lab. Unfortunately, the vaccines aren't as safe or effective as we hoped."
With the rise of the omicron variant, some vaccinated individuals are still getting COVID-19.
"The truth is, the fully vaccinated and boosted can get infected and are transmitting the disease," Johnson's tweets continued.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said unvaccinated people died at a rate 12 times higher than those who are vaccinated.
The Rev. Alice Iaquinta, a faith leader at Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles church, said the senator's comments sounded more political than religious.
"From a spiritual stand point as priest I would say that using God as a weapon to make a political point to me makes the situation one that's close to blasphemy," she said. "I, on the other hand, have complete faith in it because God gave us brains, and God created human beings, God created potential for humans to create, and we’ve done that very successfully."
WISN 12 asked Johnson's team if the senator held the same viewpoint for all vaccinations and medicine.
They said his responses only pertained to COVID-19.
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