Thousands of people across Sweden are getting microchips embedded in their bodies, mainly, according to a report, because they "have a strong faith in all things digital … in the positive potential of technology."
The confirmation comes in a report from Phys.org, which raised the very issue that has such trends raising eyebrows among the many faith traditions that follow the Bible.
"A belief in digital technology and a trust in its potential has strongly affected Swedish culture. And the transhumanist movement has built upon this. In fact, Sweden played an important part in the formation of the transhumanist ideology," the report said.
"The global transhumanist foundation Humanity+ was co-founded by the Swede Nick Bostrom in 1998. Since then, many Swedes have become convinced that they should be trying enhance and improve their biological bodies."
But the Bible warns against the "mark of the beast," which many groups consider to include body-chipping.
Christian author David Jeremiah has a basic explanation of the biblical teaching.
"During the Tribulation, every living person will be required to be marked with the number 666 – the mark of the beast," his website explains. "In Rev. 13 we are told the beast from the earth (the false prophet) will introduce the mark: 'He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.'"
"Those who refuse to take it will be forced to go bankrupt or starve," the site explains.
Phys.org explains, "as the world expresses shock at the number of people being microchipped in Sweden, we should use this opportunity to delve deeper into Sweden's remarkable relationship with all thing digital. After all, this latest phenomenon is just one manifestation of an underlying faith in technology that makes Sweden quite unique."
The report explains the microchips because pursued by "thousands" in Sweden, "can function as contactless credit cards, key cards, and even rail cards."
"Once the chip is underneath your skin, there is no longer any need to worry about misplacing a card or carrying a heavy wallet. But for many people, the idea of carrying a microchip in their body feels more dystopian than practical."
The report said some think the powerful welfare state in Sweden may be pushing this trend.
"But actually, the factors behind why roughly 3,500 Swedes have had microchips implanted in them are more complex than you might expect. This phenomenon reflects Sweden's unique biohacking scene. If you look underneath the surface, Sweden's love affair with all things digital goes much deeper than these microchips."
Among biohackers, who target anything biological, "wetware hackers are citizen science hobby biologists who build laboratory equipment from household utensils. They conduct so called 'frugal science,' where they find inexpensive solutions that will improve the living standards for people in developing countries. But they also do more playful experiments where plants are genetically modified to become fluorescent, or algae is used to make new types of beer."
Then there are transhumanists, Phys.org said, who "focus on enhancing and improving the human body – with the aim, in the long run, of improving the human race."
In reality, the report explains, it's just what society is doing there.
"Over the past two decades, the Swedish government has invested heavily in technology infrastructure – and it shows. The Swedish economy is now largely based on digital export, digital services and digital tech innovations. And Sweden has become one of the most successful countries in the world at creating and exporting digital products."