So Jonathan Isaac says he’s pro-choice on vaccinations; Why must everyone hate? | Commentary
Jonathan Isaac took to the Twitter-waves on Sunday to voice his endorsement of our individual rights when it comes to the choice of COVID vaccination.
All he got for his opinion was a diatribe of vitriol that should make us all feel a bit uncomfortable.
For the record, I am pro-vax, pro-God and pro-opinion.
We all have the right to our opinion, even when it comes to our opinion of someone else’s opinion. But must we retort in such a manner that it’s filled with anger, hate and discontent?
Isaac is a God-fearing, faith-driven man who wears his beliefs on his sleeves. He’s never been uneasy or embarrassed or concerned about public ridicule because of the way he leads his life.
Others disagree with his beliefs, but it’s what he believes in, so let it be.
Isaac, under his Twitter handle @JJudahIsaac, tweeted for the first time since Aug. 31, and after all of the negative responses, it’s not surprising he rarely tweets.
Isaac’s Sunday post read:
“Misrepresentation only allows for others to attack straw men, and not reason with the true ideas and heart of their fellow man. It helps no one! True journalism is dying! I believe it is your God given right to decide if taking the vaccine is right for you! Period! More to follow...”
As for the more to follow, well, that remains to be seen, but once Isaac tweeted, it opened up the Twitter manure spreader to the masses.
Everyone seems to think we all need to know their opinions in regard to what Isaac believes. Frankly, if you disagree with Isaac, I don’t really care. If you disagree with me, I don’t really care either.
But in today’s narcissistic, look-at-me society, many think we all care what they have to say or believe.
Like this reply: “I believe it’s my God given right to drink Jack Daniels and drive on the same roads as you and your loved ones! Period! Maybe I’m a risk to myself and others, but I’m too self-centered to care. Isn’t that what freedom means?!
Wow. How did you get from there to here? Talk about comparing apples to avocados.
But that was only one reply among the nearly 500 responses — and counting — to Isaac’s tweet.
Many have nothing to do with Isaac’s original message. I think people just get on Twitter to post trolling, asinine comments so they can tell their friends, “Look at me and what I just replied to the NBA star ... chortle, chuckle, chortle.”
Confusion seems to win out when weighing one opinion against another, but the bottom line is that it’s a personal opinion.
Isaac’s moral aptitude is not at question here.
The lack of empathy and compassion and kindness in our country saddens me. Many people even shoot arrows at Isaac, saying he lacks those qualities. Many of the hate-filled tweet responses are equally lacking in moral qualities.
I can tell you that JI is a kind, empathetic, compassionate person. He wears his mask in public settings where masks are recommended and he even washes his hands. Shall we judge him for that, too?
His beliefs are strong but most importantly, they are his and his alone and despite what all the Twitter haters might think, 500-plus retorts are not going to change his ways, his beliefs or his opinion.
He’s not a man who minces words and his message is usually one with well-thought intentions. To say he does not care for his fellow man is ignorant beyond words. Witness one of his J.U.M.P. Ministries fundraisers for those less privileged and you will get the message quite quickly and emphatically.
And for crying out loud, what is with the need for everyone to judge another person, anyway?
The Bible says it best in Matthew 7:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
Amen.
Chris Hays covers the Orlando Magic and college and high school football for the Sentinel. He can be reached at CHays@orlandosentinel.com.
