The COVID-19 virus is very real and we do have to be cognizant of that fact and exercise common sense practices to stay healthy and to minimize the transmission of the virus. Over the past several months most people have followed guidelines that were allegedly designed to minimize and slow down the spread of the virus, not to stop it. We were told that this would give the medical community time to tool up for the pandemic. However, as expected power corrupts, and with it our liberties have slowly been under assault. Because of fear and leverages of threats people have willingly given up their God given unalienable natural rights guaranteed to everyone under the United States Constitution. There has been no concern with balancing safety guidelines with our liberties. Decrees and mandates have all been one sided. The most recent restrictions and prohibitions have stirred me to respond. People have slowly acquiesced our God given liberties without any real perception of what was slowly taking place, one decree at a time, one piece at a time, and one guideline at a time. What is of particular concern is that we have heard nothing from our local pastors as it relates to freedom of worship and our God given rights. Many of the words and ideas that were penned in our Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution were first preached from the pulpits. These mandates that we have been experiencing have shut us up and gagged us from gathering in praises and singing, the very thing that moves God. If we remain silent, we can expect that He will also remain silent. It is time to draw a line and speak out. If our pastors will not do it, I will. When you look at the 20th Chapter of II Chronicles, you will see that Jehoshaphat was informed that a vast army was approaching, and the entire congregation was struck with fear. They all went before the Lord. He told them not to worry, and that the fight was His. Nevertheless, Jehoshaphat was told to go out and meet the army coming against his congregation. Jehoshaphat told the people to believe in God and they would be established; and to believe in His prophets and they would prosper. However, as Jehoshaphat went out to meet the invading army he did something unusual. He sent men ahead of the army singing and praising the splendor and holiness of the Lord. That very day Jehoshaphat and all of his people watched the invading army destroy one another. They did not have to raise a sword or a single weapon. God moved with singing and praise, the very thing that our government leaders are trying to suppress. Might it be time that we do the same thing in light of the pandemic and everything else we are facing? I am also reminded of the words in Joshua 24:15 when he charged his people to choose on that day who they will serve. The gods of their ancestors before the flood or the gods of the Amorites in whose land they were? Joshua told his people that as for he and his household, they will serve the Lord. The people like Joshua chose to serve the Lord. However Joshua warned them, if they turned to serve foreign gods, He would bring disaster on them. No government or authority has the right to dispossess any citizen of their unalienable, God given rights. It is the responsibility of government to protect those rights, not suppress or take them away. The sole source of man’s law is God’s law. It also known as “natural law,” which is supposed to guide government leaders in determining the standard of right from wrong. We the people know how to apply common sense. We know how to protect those who are at risk and vulnerable to any sickness. We do not need unconstitutional mandates designed to threaten and strike fear in people. How about we consider promise of Psalm 91 where the Lord says that He is our refuge, and that we will not fear the pestilence that stalks in the darkness nor the plague that destroys at midday. I call on all government leaders to turn to for answers where there is truth, and to the person whose word never fails. The Elk County Sheriff’s Office will not, and cannot enforce unconstitutional mandates that suppress or abolish the rights and liberties expressly given by God. I also call on Elk County community leaders and citizens everywhere to do the same thing as I have asked of our government leaders. This holiday season stay true to your faith and hold fast. Sing, give praise and thanks at all times. Remember to stand. Always stand and never give up in the face of any crisis. Todd Caltagarone Sheriff of Elk County
