Fans of Star Trek probably know that Gene Rodenberry’s futuristic view of the galaxy was that societies would run on a credit system. This fictitious system would eliminate the need for paper money and coins. Transactions would be done via centralized computer.
Well, banks and credit unions in Australia are now predicting the end of cash in 5 – 7 years. Anthony Keane of News.com.au wrote in “Cash to become extinct as chips take off”:
Bank and credit union bosses say cash won’t be alone, with wallets and credit cards also likely to disappear too.
They told The Advertiser‘s round table forum that cash and cards will be replaced by computer chips embedded in mobile phones, watches or other portable devices.
Indeed, Japan and some Scandinavian countries have had the ability to purchase items from vending and other machines using a cellphone for some time now. This isn’t as futuristic as it may sound.
Now, some people are going to jump on this as the “mark of the beast”. Frankly, folks, this ain’t it. However, technology will likely play a leading role in the Beast power. How else will it know who is and who is not part of the “system”?
There is evidence that IBM technology was used by the Germans during WWII in order to aid in tracking down Jews. There was a certain efficiency with which Jews, gypsies, homosexuals and some mentally infirmed were rounded up, so it isn’t that far fetched when you think about it. Germany utilized television to broadcast to the public long before the US did. Germany was even close to developing the A-bomb before the US.
So, while it may not be the mark of the Beast, it is an almost certainty that technology will aid that power to likewise suppress its enemies.
Yet I've heard Church of God ministers preach over the years against the "cashless society."
I admittedly never understood why they did. And I wasn't quite sure where the concept originated.
But some old-school ministers probably winced when COG's began accepting credit card donations online.
Yet I've heard Church of God ministers preach over the years against the "cashless society."
I admittedly never understood why they did. And I wasn't quite sure where the concept originated.
But some old-school ministers probably winced when COG's began accepting credit card donations online.
Yet I've heard Church of God ministers preach over the years against the "cashless society."
I admittedly never understood why they did. And I wasn't quite sure where the concept originated.
But some old-school ministers probably winced when COG's began accepting credit card donations online.
@Richard: I have heard ministers preach about the trap of credit, esp. credit cards. I believe there were dissenters in one of the COG organizations when they began accepting CC donations. I attributed that to the teaching of avoiding credit cards.
As to the wider cashless society, though, I don't think I've ever heard any sermons against it as much as it was taken as a warning of how technology could be used in the time of the end.
Some Protestants have long looked to technology as being the Mark of the Beast. I believe Hal Lindsey has taught this, and I know some COG members do read and watch Hal Lindsey. So, I have heard lay members that stated similar things in the past.
So, while I've heard it from lay members, I don't recall any sermons against it per se. Of course, that doesn't mean a few didn't stray from the norm and preach against it anyhow. Then again, during the time when I was out and about and doing my own thing, there were some stranger happenings in the Church stranger than this that led to the explosion of the 1990s.
@Richard: I have heard ministers preach about the trap of credit, esp. credit cards. I believe there were dissenters in one of the COG organizations when they began accepting CC donations. I attributed that to the teaching of avoiding credit cards.
As to the wider cashless society, though, I don't think I've ever heard any sermons against it as much as it was taken as a warning of how technology could be used in the time of the end.
Some Protestants have long looked to technology as being the Mark of the Beast. I believe Hal Lindsey has taught this, and I know some COG members do read and watch Hal Lindsey. So, I have heard lay members that stated similar things in the past.
So, while I've heard it from lay members, I don't recall any sermons against it per se. Of course, that doesn't mean a few didn't stray from the norm and preach against it anyhow. Then again, during the time when I was out and about and doing my own thing, there were some stranger happenings in the Church stranger than this that led to the explosion of the 1990s.
@Richard: I have heard ministers preach about the trap of credit, esp. credit cards. I believe there were dissenters in one of the COG organizations when they began accepting CC donations. I attributed that to the teaching of avoiding credit cards.
As to the wider cashless society, though, I don't think I've ever heard any sermons against it as much as it was taken as a warning of how technology could be used in the time of the end.
Some Protestants have long looked to technology as being the Mark of the Beast. I believe Hal Lindsey has taught this, and I know some COG members do read and watch Hal Lindsey. So, I have heard lay members that stated similar things in the past.
So, while I've heard it from lay members, I don't recall any sermons against it per se. Of course, that doesn't mean a few didn't stray from the norm and preach against it anyhow. Then again, during the time when I was out and about and doing my own thing, there were some stranger happenings in the Church stranger than this that led to the explosion of the 1990s.