Today while completing my daily blog browsing, I came across this article posted on Wired News. RFID: Sign of the (End) Times? is a rather funny article proposing that the advancement of radio frequency identification is a sign of the Apocalypse. Katherine Albrecht is the author of a new book The Spychips Threat: Why Christians Should Resist RFID and Electronic Surveillance. In this book Albrecht states that many of the signs in the book of revelations have an eery similarity to the future uses of RFID.

RFID chips, particularly the VeriChip subcutaneous implant designed for humans, bear an uncanny resemblance to "the mark" described in the Bible's Book of Revelation.

If the VeriChip becomes a common payment device similar to the "contactless" payment system in the Exxon Mobil Speedpass, all who wish to buy and sell goods will be compelled "to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads," as it says in Revelation, the Spychips Threat authors contend.

Another passage in Revelation describes a vision in which "a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image." Albrecht and McIntyre write, ""Interestingly, an implanted RFID device like the VeriChip could potentially cause such a tormenting sore if it is subjected to a strong source of electromagnetic radiation," such as a directed energy weapon.

Oh those wacky extremists and their interpretations of religious gospels. I for one am a big advocate of RFID. Firstly, I work in the field of manufacturing technology and RFID is something I am looking forward to working with. I also feel that it is the wave of the future. It is technology which has the potential to change the way we live and simplify every day transactions and management. We have heard of it's uses with supply chain management, passports and credit cards. Still there is so much more. It's uses are unlimited. For example, RFID -once standardized- will be able to help us with child safety, medicine, home automation, crime prevention, automotive, transportation and tap into all areas of the sciences.

Often when new technology arrives there are many who simply fear change and advancement. Why shouldn't we -the human race- work towards technological advancement? It is what has brought us to were we are today and we have not experienced any higher power repercussions since the invention of the wheel. Also mentioned in the article is a reference to Y2K and the religious "end of the World" mumbo jumbo which accompanied this time. If you follow the pattern of technology, religious extremists have always identified threats. Personally I see it as a sign of uneducated individuals who have been brain washed for generations. I'm not saying I do not believe in a higher power of sorts, but at least I don't let the bed time stories of my youth impact my logical thought.

Perhaps that may be a bit harsh, but I've seen some of the ridiculous rules and regulations of religion ruin family bonds and belittle the life's of others.

Any thoughts?