What if you’re not who you think you are?

In our current cultural climate, “identity” is idolized. “I identify as ______.” Whatever is in that blank is supposed to be an unassailable, bedrock truth statement. Others aren’t allowed to question someone’s identity. No matter that the day before they “identified” as someone/thing else.

It’s all a bit comical. During the pandemic, I was tempted to tell people, “I identify as vaccinated.” I wasn’t literally vaccinated. I chose not to be based on all I was reading and seeing.

In spite of that being a very real, physical reality, I could have, according to the current philosophical craze, have identified as vaccinated. No one should have been allowed to argue with me or dispute that.

I should have been included with all the cool kids who were still having to wear masks in spite of being told they wouldn’t after they got vaccinated. Instead, I kept quiet about my vaccination status, and I didn’t broadcast that I wasn’t vaccinated.

I didn’t want to out-science someone. I’m just a pastor, after all. What do I know? Can I identify as a scientist?