What’s Your Social Credit? 

Having navigated the turbulent twists and turns of 2020 that included a pandemic, a viciously contested Presidential election, and systems that want to destroy our heritage, we are finally entering 2021.  The New Year is generally a time of hope and optimism.  Yet, we’re being told to expect a “dark winter.”  Big government, big business, big tech, big media, and big pharma continue to propagate the need for more restrictions and intrusion into our lives.   This is all for our own good you understand!!  But wait there is more to come.

Of major concern is the growing collusion between global governments and corporate behemoths to use advancements in technology, personal data collection and surveillance to dismantle individual rights, destroy free speech and gain complete control of the system.  I do sound like an alarmist, don’t I?  I am just depressed and concerned when I read the growing trends in our society.  I am also aware this is an international affair and I fear we are tied in with a global system that threatens our way of life, making us into a complete one world economy. 

                                              The Coming Social Credit System    

Consider the fact that China, with a massive population of 1.3 billion people rolled out a new social credit system in 2020 that had been in the planning stages since 2009.  This may not seem of particular concern due to the fact that as Americans, we are already familiar with the idea of having a credit score based upon our income level, financial obligations, and payment history. 

China’s new social credit system however, is something vastly different and much darker.  Through continuous digital surveillance, individuals are evaluated based upon every aspect of their behavior……..then issued a social reputation score.  There is blacklisting and whitelisting. Here, in America, if you get caught by a traffic light camera running a red light, or jaywalking across a street, and you’ll have to pay a fine.  However, in China, your social credit score will also be lowered.  

If you fail to obey the seating instructions on your local train ride you lose points.  If you fail to  properly sort your garbage your score will be reduced. If facial recognition softwear sees you socializing with a person who has been tagged with a lower social score, or is not in compliance with the mandated government protocols……then you too will be penalized further. 

Conversely, if you follow the government mandated protocols, your score will remain steady.  If you are a member of the approved political party or donate to a government approved charity, your score will improve. 

So what are some of the penalties and implications of carrying a low social credit score in China?   You may have to wait longer for your healthcare needs.  You may denied access to travel.  You may be even be denied the ability to get a loan or purchase property.  Perhaps even imprisonment for the completely incorrigible person who persists in his hostility to the government mandates.

Obviously, the implications for religious minorities are staggering.  It is no secret that the Chinese Communist government hammers down on Christians as well as other minority groups.  Bible-believers can now be targeted in various ways, by a nameless, faceless, authoritarian system that targets them for their faith.  Of course, that would never happen here, right?

Through the use of fear, propaganda, scientific socialism and manipulated data, public shaming and forced business compliance, the world leaders are preparing the playing field for the implementation of social credit systems to be rolled out in various forms and fashions around the world.

As Christians, this should not surprise us.  When reading scripture we understand that all of these things will take place before the Lord’s return.  The Gospel or “good news” is not only the forgiveness of our sins but that a new and better world is coming. 

But for now, as we seek to navigate the pitfalls of this world system, may we remain faithful to our God, and rest in the sovereignty of His good hand!!