Covid Disinformation and a Viral Video

https://www.newz.com/fight-breaks-out-as-catholic-priest-asks-unmasked-man-to-leave-washington-church/

Some readers will have seen the 'viral' video that appeared in October of a fight that broke out in a Lakewood, Washington Roman Catholic Church.

This story made the rounds and it struck me as a perfect example of the kind of misinformation that runs rampant on social media and is utilised by those who disingenuously wish to score political points.

Much of the coverage regarding this story attempted to focus on the fact that the instigator/agitator was not wearing a mask. The story was framed as if the unmasked man was just minding his own business at a Catholic mass and was harassed for refusing to wear an anti-Covid mask. Agitated, he protested, creating a scene, and then was physically overwhelmed and removed from the building.

The Anti-Covid Right loved it and has pushed the story aggressively along with dozens or even hundreds of others – literally overwhelming their target audiences and giving the impression that those who take Covid seriously are insane, drunk on power, or bent on authoritarian rule.

But that's not what happened and (as is often the case) it only takes a few minutes of investigation to discover there's more to the story and in fact masks had nothing to do with it – a point further evidenced by the fact that others in the service are seen maskless.

The man was specifically upset with the priest and his dispute connected to the Catholic church's parochial school. He was convinced the priest had perverse designs on his son and was 'making eyes' at him. He had confronted the school and the priest and been something of a recent nuisance. Whether the paedophile-related charges are true or not is not the issue in this case. You can imagine the priest was less than thrilled to see the boy's father present at the mass and whether his aggressive conduct was justified or not, it had nothing to do with Covid protocols.

The confusion was exacerbated (perhaps by design) by the Catholic clergy as they did not seem to want to speak in clear terms as to what the dispute was about – and no wonder. They wanted the issue and incident to simply go away.

But the media picked up on the striking video of the confrontation taking place alongside the altar and it was surmised (perhaps genuinely or not) that the issue was over masks, as indeed society in general (and the American Church in particular) is rather worked up over this issue.

The lesson here is to not trust social media or even the lazy and irresponsible reporting that issues from the mainstream. Alternative and politically driven outlets are certain to manipulate such stories but I was struck even by the local coverage – there was real sloth in the reporting and a failure to pursue the issue. It makes all the difference.

Christians beware and don't be manipulated. Trust no one that has a political agenda. Politics has a consequentialist ethic all its own and as it lives by 'the end justifies the means', it's often one contrary to the truth.