Christian personal finance guru Dave Ramsey hopes his staff will spread peace and goodwill during the Christmas season.
They may also be spreading COVID-19.
Ramsey Solutions, the company founded by the bestselling author and radio host, plans to host “Boots & BBQ,” a large in-person Christmas party, for hundreds of staff members at the company’s Franklin, Tennessee, headquarters, despite an outbreak of more than 50 cases at the company’s headquarters as late as mid-November.
An invitation, sent to the company’s 800 staffers in a newsletter, advises that no children are allowed at the Christmas bash and that employees are limited to one guest apiece. No mention is made of masks being required.
In staff meetings and on his radio show, Ramsey described masks and other COVID-19 prevention strategies as a sign of fear.
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More than 2,500 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in Tennessee, where more than 5,200 people have died of complications from the virus. There have been more than 428,000 cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Ramsey Solutions does not require masks at its offices — Dave Ramsey himself has been a vocal opponent of mask-wearing and other COVID restrictions. In a clip from his daily radio show, posted on YouTube in November, Ramsey railed against what he called “totalitarian” government restrictions and mask mandates, saying he wanted to “start a crusade” against them.
The Dave Ramsey Show is known for its host’s folksy financial advice balanced with a moralizing disdain for debt. One of the show’s highlights is a listener’s call featuring a “debt-free scream” to mark their liberation from consumer debt using Ramsey’s methods.
Since March, Ramsey Solutions has had about 100 cases of COVID-19 among its employees, according to a recording of a mid-November staff call obtained by Religion News Service.
Among that number were about 50 cases in mid-November, Ramsey Solutions Executive Director of Human Resources Armando Lopez told staff on the Nov. 13 call.
“There are 50 people that are somewhere in the neighborhood who are either positive or returning to work,” Lopez said.
Ramsey Solutions did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Lopez or other leaders.
During the November call, Lopez acknowledged the entire country — including suburban Williamson County, where Ramsey Solutions is located — was seeing spiking COVID-19 numbers. “Williamson County has seen a huge increase in COVID cases. And so have we. Ramsey Solutions has seen a huge spike,” said Lopez.
The human resources director also said he feared the numbers were higher, admitting the company lacked an accurate system for tracking COVID-19 cases.
Despite the number of positive cases, Lopez told staff in November there were no plans to allow remote working. The company allowed staff to work from home during the initial weeks of the pandemic but has required them to return to company headquarters since May.
Lopez said Ramsey Solutions leadership had decided it was not “a work from home employer.”
“Can we be a work from home employer for a short period of time?” he said on the Nov. 13 call. “We have proven for five weeks it works. Can we? Yes. Are we? No.”
That message was repeated in a company newsletter sent on Nov. 20, which reported 32 positive cases among staff and another 17 staff awaiting tests. The newsletter encouraged staff to report any COVID-19 test results to human resources but maintained that the company would continue operating out of headquarters.
“We know that many of you have felt pressure from family and friends, some of whom think you are ‘weird’ for still going in to work,” said the newsletter.
“Fortunately we work in a place that is used to being called weird,” the newsletter continued, then highlighted Ramsey Solutions’ “countercultural approach to business.”
“And now we are weird for following common sense and using logic in providing for our families and our customers,” according to the newsletter.
During the mid-November call with staff, Lopez said company leaders were not able to keep up with requests for exemptions to work from home, and employees were the best people to judge what is the right thing to do for their health. Some might decide they need to choose to quit their jobs, he said.
“We know we are going to lose some people through this,” he said. “It is harsh and hard for me to say this.”
The company has advised workers to social distance if possible and to stay home if they feel sick. In staff newsletters, the company has encouraged testing for COVID-19 but has also shared articles claiming the threat of COVID-19 has been exaggerated by the media.
“We are all adults here,” Luke Lefevre, a creative director at Ramsey, told employees in the Nov. 20 newsletter. “If you want to wear a mask, wear a mask. Give yourself healthy space from others. Use the stairs if you can. Don’t be careless.”
The company has also continued to hold large events during the pandemic, including its “EntreLeadership Summit” in July. That event was scheduled to be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida, near Orlando, but Ramsey moved the event to its Franklin offices after the Gaylord informed the company of significant COVID-19 restrictions, including mask checks, according to a lawsuit filed by Ramsey Solutions.
The summit was one of a series of “high-end experiences” put on by Ramsey, attracting thousands of business owners and other attendees, “each of whom spends between $5,000 and $15,000 to attend, inclusive of hotel,” according to the amended complaint in the suit.
The COVID-19 restrictions at the hotel, which included no buffets or other self-service food along with limited use of the pool or other amenities, made having the conference there untenable, Ramsey Solutions stated in the complaint.
In court documents, Ramsey Solutions claimed the change of venue cost the company $10 million in lost revenue.
During a July staff meeting after the summit, Ramsey accused the hotel’s leadership of breaking their word to him and the company. The mask requirement in particular irked Ramsey. He ridiculed the idea that hotel staff would enforce a mask requirement on guests.
“As you guys are well aware we don’t require masks but if someone wants to wear a mask we don’t mind,” according to a recording of the meeting obtained by Religion News Service. “Everybody gets to choose what you want to do. This is America — a voluntary thing, you choose what you want to do. But we’re not going to have someone pay $10,000 for a ticket to have some $8 an hour twerp at Marriott giving them a hard time about wearing a mask.”
At a staff meeting after Thanksgiving, Ramsey continued his criticism of those who are ruled by “fear” of COVID-19 and are “freaking out” due to the pandemic.
“They have got fear, they have trepidation on the COVID, they are scared to death about whether or not they are meeting all the social cues on fear and masks and temperature controls,” he said on a recording of the meeting.
By contrast, he said, staff at Ramsey Solutions would spread Christmas cheer and joy during the holidays — as well as courage, which he said was contagious.
The company, Ramsey said, would not be ruled by fear.
“Fear is not a fruit of the spirit,” he told his employees in the meeting, while rallying them to step up their performance during the holiday season. “It is not on the list. And so, while sometimes I am afraid, I do not make decisions — and I do not let my behaviors be — dictated by fear unless it involves getting out of the way of a car that is coming toward me.”
Bob Smietana is a national reporter for Religion News Service.
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According to CDC
0-19 – 99.99% SURVIVABILITY
20-49 – 99-98% SURVIVABILITY
50-69 – 99.5% SURVIVABILITY
70+ Years – 94.6 SURVIVABILITY
Why all the fear??
Amen! God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind!
Disagree with you here. Fear is a good and appropriate force. Apart from the moral wrongness if marital infidelity, most people have a common sense fear for STDs.
that shapes their decisions. Ruminating on fear is a different story. You make it sound like fear is a bad thing.
As far as I’m concerned, all those that enjoy the freedoms of “open states” are enjoying the benefits of those who have exercised restraint and patience.
Agree…..
Also, all of TENNESSEE is open! What Dave Ramsey is doing….is what TN is doing
Just like FLORIDA!
Many of us who live in IL, CA, etc…..just don’t realize that other states are open!!!
Hi. I have to say a few things: First, I know three people who have died from Covid. One, a good friend in his 50s with many underlying health problems. He leaves behind a severely disabled daughter, and I’m not sure who will take care of her now that both her parents are dead. Two, a friend of mine in her thirties. No previous health issues. She leaves behind an 18 month old. Three, my own mother, a nurse who caught Covid at work.
I know it’s completely anecdotal, but I also don’t know anyone who’s ever died from the flu/complications of the flu.
I also know a handful of people who survived Covid and didn’t even go to the hospital. Several of those people are experiencing kidney and heart problems. Most people don’t seem to care about long lasting complications as long as it’s “survivable.” As a cancer survivor myself, survivability isn’t the only measure of how severe an illness is.
I also wanted to say something about the whole “fear” thing…even Dave Ramsey himself said it was appropriate to let “fear” drive decisions if “it involves getting out of the way of a car that is coming toward me.” So he does acknowledge that fear is not always bad and can dictate good choices. I guess fear is only bad if you don’t consider something a threat. In which case, I would recommend talking to people who have medical backgrounds (either in the study of disease or people on the ground floor caring for Covid patients) over a financial expert.
But I wouldn’t even go so far as saying taking precautions is a fearful mindset. I would say it’s much more akin to wearing seatbelts. It’s required by law, and I do it because it protects me. I’m not afraid–I’m just not reckless.
Dave Ramsay information obtained from Wikipedia:”He graduated from the College of Business Administration at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Real Estate. As a real estate investor, doing business as Ramsey Investments, Inc., he built a rental real estate portfolio worth more than $4 million by 1986.The bank that was financing his real estate was sold to a larger bank, which demanded immediate repayment on the loans. He was unable to pay, and eventually filed bankruptcy in September 1988. After recovering financially, Ramsey began counseling couples at his local church. He attended workshops and seminars on consumer financial problems. Ramsey developed a set of lessons and materials based partially on his own experience and partially on works and teachings by Larry Burkett, Ron Blue and Art Williams of the A.L. Williams company, now Primerica.”
This is the information on Dr. Rochelle Walensky MD whom was just appointed to head the CDC also obtained from Wikipedia: “She received an AB summa cum laude in biochemistry and molecular biology from Washington University in St. Louis in 1991. She earned her MD from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1995, and then trained in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital until 1998. She then participated in the Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women’s Hospital Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program, earning an MPH (Masters in Public Health) in clinical effectiveness from the Harvard School of Public Health in 2001. Dr Walensky has been on the faculty of Harvard Medical School since 2001, first as an instructor, then as a professor.”
Need I say more. Dave Ramsay becomes successful at helping consumers through their financial problems and now I guess he has extrapolated his bachelors degree of science in FINANCE to molecular biology? Our hospital resources are over burdened and health care workers see no reprieve. Remember that front line workers are also dealing with victims of gun violence, auto accidents, strokes, heart attacks in addition to COVID patients. Well I am sure “Boots and BBQ” will be a grand time and quite frankly I hope the last as I hope this cowboy do anything I want “Christian” fallacy gets further exposed and the cards start to tumble —they always do.
Lisa, I agree. He is acting like another Bill Gates who has somehow become the Covid-19 medical guru.
Sounds like Dave is getting a bit too big for his britches.
In fairness to Bill Gates, he is one of the brightest minds of our time and thoroughly researched topics he is passionate about.
Medical doctor’s view should not be the sole viewpoint taken into account, when surveying risk management. You should also seek more viewpoints, such as from data scientist, and economists. These are also active roles in science, and important viewpoints because of how every response to fighting the virus is interconnected to each other.
I personally like their attitude. Every year people die from the flu and pneumonia. There are too many conflicting reports about the truth of this “pandemic” combine it with the election fraud and its absolutely disturbing. I find it refreshing that these folks are not walking in fear and going about their daily life. I believe all of this to be way overblown and ridiculous.
Amen! I agree with you, Cynthia!
We need more business owners standing up against tyranny.
Amen! It would be more difficult for our freedoms to be taken if there were more leaders like Dave Ramsey standing up for common sense!
Amazing how Mr. Ramsey can be so helpful helping others deal with obviously difficult financial issues…
Yet so foolish when it comes to the obvious.
I would strongly advise Mr. Ramsey to watch the coolers on wheels roll up to an area hospital.
They’re not there to keep the perishables fresh…but rather to hold those who have perished from COVID-19.
Well, another “christian” to succumb to power, wealth, and fame.
His program works, but I won’t recommend him to anyone again. I can’t trust what he may say or recommend next.
I also won’t recommend him to anyone ever again. Among all the other issues, the fact that he would call a human being made in the image of God “an $8 an hour twerp” tells me all I need to know.
The “an $8 an hour twerp” is another indication of how this ministry is no different than the other major tv productions by our heretical teachers. There is much under the table with this ministry that will one day be exposed (Julie?). The lifestyles of the rich is how best to describe it…and the money they are circulating among themselves and thus to reference hard workers at the Marriott. And this lawsuit must have some interesting side notes to boot, will have to examine it’s allegations by Ramsay. Bottom line, Larry Burkett would roll in his grave. Burkett ministries was small efficient financial ministry and Larry lived a modest life. Ramsay did nothing more than copy Burkett and amplified the methods to generate revenue. Larry was more interested in ministry, not money.
Couldn’t agree more. I used to listen to Larry most every day and read a few of his books. Mr. Ramsey is a long way away from Larry and his views on Biblical Finance. I took the Ramsey course in a group and brought up many of the problems, much to the chagrin of the leader. One major problem was the Tithe from One’s GROSS earnings and the decadent life styles of many “christians”.
I wish that every Christian would recognize this. This is the way malignant narcissists talk. We need to promote these guys and buy their products as much as we need root canals on all of our perfectly healthy teeth. There is nothing Christian about that kind of talk and the huge numbers thrown around just shows this is about rich celebrities getting together. This is not a place where you will find the real Jesus Christ. He did not die so guys like this can get rich selling junk to religious addicts. You do not need a book to get out of debt. You just decide to do it and then you do.
Naturally as just shown, there are going to be 2 sides to the comments re the virus.
We do not need to be ruled by fear over this virus. We can also use caution and common sense.
In my opinion I think Ramsey should be more open to a remote work option to accommodate those who need it, such as parents with virtual schoolers/homeschoolers.
And there’s nothing wrong with a virtual conference vs an in person one, or just do far smaller gatherings.
I also agree with this approach:
“If you want to wear a mask, wear a mask. Give yourself healthy space from others.”
Today I heard from a medical professional that there’s a medicine out there that’s very effective at reducing Covid-19 symptoms if given early to people with it, vs panicking about ventilators and hospital space.
I forget the name, here’s the source:
(Listen twd the end)
https://www.vcyamerica.org/crosstalk/2020/12/11/news-roundup-comment-3/
What gets my prayer fire up is those trying to use the pandemic as an excuse to manipulate and control people for the sake of their agendas.
Via prayer, we can bind those works of fear, manipulation and control the enemy is trying to use to bring in a spirit of the Antichrist.
Pray for the release of Christ’s power and love, and of medicines and plans that can heal.
Bind the fear.
Release Love.
There’s no better time to pray than now. We still have faith He can bring in the Third Great Awakening!
Even if you see it differently, we don’t need to live in fear. Perfect Love casts out all fear,
Including
Fear of disease
Fear of death
Fear of Man
Our God will have the Victory!
S,
Dave does not care about his employees, he can always hire another. Dave is all about bottom line and is ruthless. He has become more and more rude on his radio/TV show. Someone needs to knock him down a notch.
Then let God be the one to do it, not us. ;)
Ivermectin is the anti-parasitic medication Dr Cory/Corey has seen helping many, many people/patients.
Yes, that’s the one I heard, I think.
I just don’t understand the “those trying to use the pandemic as an excuse to manipulate and control people for the sake of their agendas” thing. Who is doing this? The biggest manipulation I see is people telling other people that wearing a mask/taking precautions is giving into fear.
Jim, the people who are pushing agendas are the government. While gyms for normal people have been mostly closed, the gym for gov’t employees in DC has remained open. The CO governor who told his state’s residents to stay home over Thanksgiving while he went to Tenn. Pelosi, Newsom and others who are lecturing us about masks, social distancing, small groups, while they don’t do as they preach. Where I live, strip clubs are open, but not restaurants, not even outside.
Arrogant. self-absorbed capitalist. Nothing more; nothing less.
Well said!
Better an arrogant capitalist than an arrogant socialist!!
Having ministered in the former Soviet Union and soviet bloc countries during and after communism I have seen the destruction wrought by socialism. Not pretty.
Look at Venezuela as a modern day example.
Jim,
LOVE your point! I would rather die free in a capitalist society than have my fellow free Americans poor and not free in a socialist one! I wear a mask out of respect for others. My daughter was exposed recently and she felt horrible that she unknowingly exposed me. My immune system is compromised. I’m not concerned in the least. The Lord brought me through aggressive cancer 30 years ago and if he desires to take me home with COVID then so be it. Atleast I die free and so do my fellow Americans with the ability to provide for their families and go to church and worship. The men and women of our country demand to be free to work their jobs and keep their businesses and on and on. People, do you realize that Bill Gates, who is not a scientist, he’s a rich globalist is pushing this agenda? I will not take a vaccine. There have been too many conflicting reports by scientists. If the scenario was one of – well, there is a virus that was manufactured in a lab in Wuhan and we believe a vaccine could help and also could you wear a mask for a time when going in businesses ect. Also, that the vaccine will also ONLY ever be by choice. (I’m just waiting for the “mandatory” label to hit.) I wouldn’t be as resistant if things were presented in that way. I guess it’s okay to go to a Walmart but the family business down the road can’t be open???? This is mass propaganda and I won’t give into it. Instead of looking at CNN or the rest of mainstream media for those that only watch those. Check out Gateway Pundit or OAN or banned.video or spectator.org. There is a wealth of information out there that contradicts the mainstream propaganda.
OAN? Uh, no. They are worse than MSM.
This article was biased and cynical… obviously written by someone who likes to demean and shame people into their view of life. Never have I heard Ramsey criticize those wearing masks… he just says often that he “refuses to live by fear”.
I’ve quit reading Julie’s articles column because of this shaming and negative attitude in everything that is written. I respect Ramsey so I read this article… only to find the same pattern of cynical shaming.
“But we’re not going to have someone pay$10,000.00 for a ticket to have an $8.00 an hour twerp at Marriott giving them a hard time about wearing a mask” So Dann I am interested to know what part of that statement shows reverence and respect for another human being? Mr Ramsay has polarized those attending as either “someone” or a low paid “twerp” Hummm, I wonder if they are working and going to college as he advocates? Low paid twerps… everyone should take notice of his pride and utter disregard for humanity and the reference that someone in low social standing dare give advisement to someone with means. This has become the Ramsay caste system—— well let them eat cake oops BBQ. Well at the very first miracle none of the guests knew but per scripture “the servants knew” and my pastors point was it better to be a guest,drink and go home? Or be a servant and witness a miracle?
Its the shame game.
Johns Hopkins University has reported that the number of people who have died this year in the USA, is not any higher than past years, based on CDC reports.
“You’ll own nothing, and you’ll be happy” is the slogan for 2030. We need to really consider what is going on in our country.
I would recommend listening to James White show and his guest at Alpha and Omega Ministries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6EG3OTXZLU&feature=youtu.be
……………………
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
There is a great danger in social media to easily slander and gossip and stir up issues that don’t need to be….about other believers in Christ.
EXPOSING SIN ISSUES in the church and amongst church leaders is one thing because they have a huge responsibility before the Lord to be godly examples and to be godly under shepherds of the Good Shepherd. And God’s Word calls it to be exposed. Habitual sin needs to be exposed because it harms the body of Christ and because God is Holy. And because the Church is CALLED TO HOLINESS.
But this is NOT A SIN ISSUE folks. It is NOT A SIN to choose to gather with believers and to not wear masks (it’s a command to gather from the Lord Himself!).
It is NOT a SIN to keep your business open and let people choose if they want to wear masks at the work place but allow others not to…. to fellowship with other believers, and to keep churches open! But it is OVERSTEPPING and controlling to make everyone wear masks in this country…especially when are known to not keep the small virus out. The label on the mask says “not intended for medical use.” Many people who have been confined in their homes, have still gotten the virus.
I am personally very thankful for men of courage in 2020 like John MacArthur and Dave Ramsey who are willing to stand up, even if they are in the minority. Churches that have remained open are probably some of the healthiest churches spiritually.
Are we more concerned about our physical health or spiritual health? Yes, we can use common sense if you are sick and stay home. But we are 9 months into this….it’s time for the body of Christ to gather and have true fellowship.
We as believers should not be living in fear. But rather remember that we are called to be ambassadors for Christ to tell a hopeless and fearful world of the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 For 5:20.
We need to be FAITHFUL to go to a lost world and tell them of Jesus Christ….the only place where our true hope should be found. Many people will not die from this virus. But all will die. That is the issue! People are dying daily and hopeless and in darkness unless they have Christ.
Ephesians 5 is so encouraging guys!
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
“It is NOT A SIN to choose to gather with believers and to not wear masks (it’s a command to gather from the Lord Himself!).”
Oh. Dude. I guess I missed the scripture that says not wearing masks is commanded by the Lord Himself.
Seriously, though, wearing a mask is a form of self-sacrifice. It’s putting your own comfort and convenience aside in order to honor and protect other people. The pushback against it is a tragic display of American Christianity that values autonomy over service to Christ.
You are right Jim. There is no Scripture that says that about masks. And it does not say that it’s the loving thing to do either (ask the deaf person if they feel loved these days or the person who is exempt from wearing a mask that gets yelled at). We have twisted the Word of God to make it say what we want it to. As one pastor said, “False teachers don’t deny the truth, they twist the truth.”
God’s Word is clear however, that we are commanded to gather for prayer, teaching of the Word of God, fellowship, communion, singing unto the Lord together, baptism, etc.
Can the Church function the way God intended it to through these “recommendations” that have become mandates?
How are believers using their spiritual gifts to edify the body of Christ?
https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/80-157/why-i-love-the-church
walking as wise? Or spreading conspiracies and pseudo science? How will others respond to the “truth” of Christians after this?
I thought this article was going to be positive about Dave Ramsey giving away 10 million to help people pay off medical and auto bills unfortunately I guess you couldn’t be positive. We can’t sit in our homes and cower in fear of this virus, we know who is at risk we know there is 99% survivability for everyone.
99% survivability means 1% fatality. So you’d be fine with it sweeping through the population and killing 3 million Americans (1%)?
And it isn’t just the fatalities — many of the survivors suffer. Like my friend (previously healthy, in his 60s) who was on a ventilator for 3 weeks back in April and just had to have surgery to remove part of his trachea due to complications. Or another friend (previously healthy, in her 50s) who now can’t do yard work or ride her bicycle for more than 5 or 10 minutes without being out of breath.
Sounds like on this front Ramsey is like John MacArthur — putting political posturing and his financial bottom line above caring for his neighbors.
Yes. 5 people I know have died from this in the past 2 weeks.
That doesn’t include things like months-long recovery, long-term mental issues, loss of smell or taste that may be permanent, or even a cough that lasts months. I can tell the people who talk about the “99% Recovery Rate” don’t have a lot of 1st hand experience with this.
Take this stuff seriously and start ignoring the foolish who have been building houses on the sand.
I am a nurse and if you could walk through our hospitals ICU Covid floor you would think twice before equating this with the flu. Let me ask you, when did you ever see refrigerated trucks outside a hospital or two for dead bodies with the flu? Never. This Covid is far deadlier than the flu believe me. I hope the vaccine works.
And I can tell you that Trump and his pal Rudy got medicine that you and I can’t get. Having your employees come in knowing that the hospital beds are scarecrows to work and make you money isn’t Christlike in my book, plenty of remote options available.
You are a nurse? Thank you. And a sincere thanks to your colleagues who put themselves at risk while compassionately giving care.
What’s truly sad here is nurses make up many faiths and are living out good work focusing on service. Meanwhile many Christians (at least commenting on this blog) prioritize their rights over concern for their community. It’s easy to see how non-believers looking in from the outside hold a very unfavorable view of Christians.
Then why isn’t that medicine more available? Who is the one controlling things making people think their “hope” is in a vaccine, not Christ?
Christians do have the authority to pray that the right medicine gets released out, in Jesus name.
What happened to Dave Ramsey speaking into people to use their God-given wisdom? I used to respect him. He is not the wise person I thought him to be.
His comments are a direct slap in the face to all the health care workers trying to save people’s lives right now and to all who have lost family members to this virus. Completely irresponsible.
Secondly, for those listing the survivability percentages, are you aware of the sometimes lasting breathing problems, loss of smell and taste, strokes, etc. this virus leaves behind? Survive maybe; but what kind of quality of life might you be left with?
Dave’s Christmas party sounds like another super-spreader event that will send more people to already over-crowded hospitals.
All this concern about Covid, what would happen if the church was this concerned about what really kills people. Gen 2:17, Romans 6:23
The pearl clutching in this article is nauseating
Lots of Christian leaders have been careless with Covid, but it is sad to see this from someone known for his common sense advice.
You mean from something with a 99.99% recovery rate. At first it was stay apart. Then it was wear a mask. Then it was both. Then the CDC said if you have no symptoms then you don’t need to wear a mask (Yes, they did – look it up) and other drivel. Cases going up? Must mean masks don’t work. Stop being a freaking sheep and wake up to what is happening around you. I have been at work everyday except for 4 days when we were asked to stay home. Not one sniffle, cough or sneeze. Do you wear a mask to sleep in? This hysteria is demonic. WAKE UP!
I originally became introduced to the roys report through the RZIM investigative work. It was professionally done and important to expose to the world, I am thankful for it. However, the more I’ve read additional articles, the more I have to agree with a previous commenter. These articles are increasingly demeaning and cynical. “The Dave Ramsey Show is known for its host’s folksy financial advice balanced with a moralizing disdain for debt. One of the show’s highlights is a listener’s call featuring a “debt-free scream” to mark their liberation from consumer debt using Ramsey’s methods.” Is the intent here to paint his work as foolish or misinformed? Is the author better than all of the other people struggling with their debt/finances and celebrating their freedom? Ramsey’s work is lauded and helpful to christian and secular folk alike. Is the intention to smear Ramsey because you don’t like him nor agree with his take on how he’s chosen to manage his company’s COVID policies? I personally don’t agree with his approach to COVID at his offices either but the tone and intent of this article seem self-righteous, vindictive, and purely cynical.
I agree with you on this, Steven. This is written like a hit piece. Christians, you have been deceived and can’t even see it. Remember what the Bible says about people being blinded to the truth?????
Amen Steven
The $8/hour crack says plenty. Those I know who poo-poo COVID restrictions are perfectly fine with putting restaurant workers and grocery store cashiers at risk so they don’t have to wear a mask or adjust their lifestyle. I was through with Dave Ramsey years ago anyway, because of his on-air language and arrogant style. (Also, there’s something that rubs me wrong about a guy who got out his debt by bankruptcy lecturing people on not making car payments.)
Having been in Harvest pews I see similarities with Dave: Ego, belittling of some people, anger. Now Dave isn’t a pastor but why are churches condoning his style and feeding his ruthlessness when humble, excellent groups like Crown exist? I trust my discernment to say something doesn’t smell right. Dave requires NDAs, never a good sign for a Christian group looking to prove transparency, humility, and accountability.
I guarantee you Dave Ramsey is 100x kinder, than many of the prophets in the old testament.
Yeah, that “$8 an hour twerp” comment just oozes kindness. That says a lot right there.
Sigh.
I’m both frustrated and tired – not only by the behavior of these “ministry leaders”, but by fellow believers who make excuses for them. Our witness to the world continues to be tarnished by both.