On Wednesday, Jan 18^th, we will be studying “the Mark of the Beast” (Rev 13:16-18, 14:9-11). I recently received an email that was linked to news about the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The UIDAI is currently working on a program to identify every single person of its 1.2 billion residents. Each person will receive a unique number that will be verified by biometric data like fingerprints (all ten digits), iris scans (both eyes), and a picture of the persons face.

      The reason given for such a project is – helping the poor. In India, approximately 440 million people live below the poverty line. India has a huge social welfare program to help the poor with food, medical care, heating assistance, etc. Since most of the people are identified by name only, fraud is a major problem. Corrupt politicians and bureaucrats load the welfare rolls with fake names and take the money for themselves. UIDAI is designed to solve that problem.

      Solving welfare problems is only one of the benefits of the system. Government, banking, and business are already planning other uses for the system. This national ID number can also be used for proof of citizenship, voter registration, drivers license, medical records, law enforcement, counter terrorism, etc. Some planners envision a cashless society with people using the card at ATMs, fingerprints to buy a meal, and eye scans to unlock doors.

      The UIDAI says this program is voluntary – but they do add that those who opt to stay out of the system “will find it very inconvenient, they will not have access to facilities that require you to cite your ID number.”

      Those who are in favor of the program say that this is no different than the American Social Security Number. Those who are opposed say this is “the mark of the beast” – a “big brother” totalitarian government controlling everything you do and tracking everywhere you go.

      What do you think?

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