It seems like the world is spinning out of control as we see countries like France, Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Italy and Israel increasing the pressure on their citizens to get vaccinated. Vaccine passports are a common theme and talking point in not only these nations, but in the United States as well. Let’s take a tour around the world to see how countries are responding when it comes to lockdowns, mandates, and vaccine passports.

Let’s start with one of the most beautiful places in the world–Italy. The country known for its gorgeous rolling green hills now requires a Green Pass to gain access to archaeological sites, gyms, indoor pools, restaurants, bars, cafes and theaters. To receive a Green Pass, individuals must prove they have received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine approved for use in the European Union, have a negative Covid test result in the previous 48 hours, or show proof of having recovered from Covid in the last six months. As of July, at least 60 million people have downloaded the certification. Visitors to venues such as the Vatican are now able to show their cellphones with QR certificates as proof of vaccination. In Pompeii, a popular tourist site, they are offering free Covid tests for visitors. How long they will remain free remains to be seen.

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Known for their bold response to tyranny during the French Revolution, it comes as a shock that France has allowed vaccine passports to become the new way of life. It has instituted the Covid Pass which applies to bars, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, trains, stadiums and gyms. The latest addition is supermarkets. Some chains have announced they are requiring customers to show a valid Covid pass before entering the premises. Those requiring this have placed notices in front of their stores. On example reads, “Welcome! From Monday August 16 onward, have your Covid passes ready for a serene shopping experience.” Shoppers must show proof of full vaccination, or proof of a negative PCR or antigen test obtained within the last 72 hours. For now, the tests are covered by French social security, but after October the customer will endure the cost.

In France, citizens have been protesting the vaccine health pass for six weekends in a row. Tens of thousands of people have marched in the streets of Paris and other cities to show their resistance to what they call draconian measures. Protestors held signs which say, “Liberty” or “Liberate France.”  Protestors are demanding that Emmanuel Macron abolish the vaccine passports. At demonstrations around the country, citizens can be heard shouting, “Macron! We don’t want your pass!”

Cafes and restaurants in France have faced the dilemma of turning customers away if they don’t have their health pass or documentation. One waitress who refused to serve two customers said, “They don’t have the health pass and there is nothing I can do… Some understand it quickly, others not. It is going to be difficult–we are not the police.”

In Ireland, the fighting Irish have endured some of the strictest lockdowns and Covid measures in Europe. Recently they began opening restaurants, bars, and businesses. Those offering indoor seating may only open their doors to fully vaccinated people, or those who have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months. The EU Digital Covid Certificate will be the main way to  prove vaccination status. Restaurant and bar owners will simply scan the QR code on the certificate. Not all Irish citizens are happy with these rules. Protests erupted in Dublin as the “fighting Irish” carried flags and signs that say, “My body, my choice,” and “your children will be next.” Protestors decried medical apartheid and the loss of freedom for those who do not want a vaccine forced on them.

Australia, known for its friendly, welcoming, and open-minded culture, is quite the opposite these days. Instead of greeting one another with “G’day mate,” citizens are being monitored by soldiers who are tasked with patrolling large cities like Sydney, which is home to six million people. They must ensure residents are following stay-at-home rules, as well as any other measures instituted by the government. Not all Australians welcomed these tactics with open arms. Thousands flooded the streets, holding signs that called for “freedom” and “truth.” In Melbourne, protestors gathered outside Victoria’s State Parliament House to voice their opposition.

Australian Prime Minster Scott Morrison has stated that Australia needs to reach a vaccination rate of at least 70% in order to avoid lockdown restrictions. “If you get vaccinated, there will be special rules that apply to you. Why? Because if you’re vaccinated, you present less of a public health risk. You are less likely to get the virus. You are less likely to transmit it,” the prime minister told reporters. As of the end of July, approximately 14% of the population has been fully dosed.

I’d just like to point something out here. The CDC has already stated publicly that those who are vaccinated can still transmit the virus. They can also become infected with the virus. Even the World Health Organization has stated this, as well as public health officials around the world.

New Zealand, known for its breath-taking landscapes, has decided to keep the entire population locked down because of a single case of Covid-19.  New Zealand has reported just 26 virus deaths since the pandemic began. The population of New Zealand is only 32% vaccinated, but their cases have remained lower than other countries such as Israel, which has vaccinated 78% of its population. By contrast, Israel is facing a surge of infections among the vaccinated and unvaccinated. In Iceland 96% of females and 90% of males 16 years or older have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. By mid-July 2021, every resident (over the age of 16) was given the opportunity to receive the shot. Nonetheless, the country is seeing a large outbreak of Covid-19 cases.

In Canada, where maple syrup and politeness go hand in hand, there has been public outrage over the government’s institution of a vaccine passport system (which will go into effect in September). Waves of protesters marched in the streets of Montreal to demand medical freedom. They want to be given the opportunity to publicly debate the new measures, which require vaccination to attend festivals, bars, restaurants and gyms. Regardless of protests, however, the government continues its quest to use passports in all sectors of society. Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said that soon, all commercial air travelers and passengers on trains that travel between provinces will have to be fully vaccinated. In addition, marine vessels that offer overnight accommodations will face the same requirements.

Here in the United States, the door for more mandates is being opened by the FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine on August 23, 2021. This comes as a surprise to many because of the thousands of breakthrough cases occurring among the vaccinated. Also, the VAERS system, which tracks vaccine injuries, currently shows over 13,000 deaths and over 500,000 injuries related to Covid-19 vaccines.

Recently, California became the first state in the nation to issue an order to require Covid-19 vaccinations for healthcare workers by September 30, unless a religious or medical exemption is provided. It has also become the first state to require teachers and school staff to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, or submit to regular testing.

Reports of the Biden administration discussing the possibility of vaccine passports for interstate travel caused a wave of disdain and outrage on social media. Texas Republican governor Greg Abbott called it a “dangerous double standard.” Many complained that as Biden pushes vaccine mandates for interstate travel, he is allowing Illegal immigrants to cross the border–many of whom have tested positive for Covid. National Review editor Jonah Goldberg stated: “I’m pro-vaccine. I’m in favor of lots of extraordinary measures to get people vaccinated. But requiring proof of vaccination for interstate travel strikes me as one of the dumbest, most unworkable, and counter-productive ideas out there. I hope it stays on the drawing board.”

Former presidential candidate Ben Carson warned that mandating vaccines could “shape a terrible future.” He further stated, “The really important thing here is for us to recognize that this is America that we are living in…this is a place where people came so that they could be free. And the whole concept of mandates, no matter how wonderful you think they are, are opening the door to something that could be pretty terrible in the future.”

We have barely skimmed the surface when it comes to what’s going on around the world, but it’s easy to see that medical freedom is being ignored and trampled. As Christians we are called to be united as we stand up for the freedom to decide what goes into our bodies, which are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Citizens of every country deserve the right to make decisions about their health. Debates on medical treatments and Covid vaccines are one sided all around the world, and in the United States. It’s time to pray for people everywhere who have mandates and vaccine passports staring them in the face.

Prayer points to consider:

Lord, we ask that you would let the voices of every person in every country be heard by leaders, business owners and all those who make decisions on vaccine mandates. Raise up warriors who will fight this agenda your way.

Jesus, please stop vaccine mandates around the world and give leaders and citizens the courage to fight against this tyrannical system that would seek to track every aspect of our lives.

Lord, we ask you to use us to be a light in this dark world. Even as world leaders try to push their will upon us, you will empower your people with great wisdom, fortitude, and perseverance. If you are for us Lord, who can be against us? We trust you in the midst of the storm. Infuse us with your strength.

As we see these things unfold, we must remember that Jesus knew this was coming before it landed on the world’s stage. We can trust him to carry us through whatever comes.

How can we stand together against vaccine passports and mandates?

Angela Rodriguez is an author, blogger and homeschooling Mom who studies the historical and biblical connections between Israel and the United States. You can visit her blogs at 67owls.com and 100trumpets.com. Her latest book, Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus, was just released in June.