Bring A Gun To Church?

[BG45]

[url="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8122767.stm"]U.S. pastor encourages flock to bring handguns to church[/url]

[quote]A pastor in the US state of Kentucky told his flock to bring handguns to church in what he said was an effort to promote safe gun ownership.

Pastor Ken Pagano told parishioners to bring their unloaded guns to New Bethel Church in Louisville for a service celebrating the right to bear arms.

He said he acted after church members voiced fears the Obama administration could tighten gun control laws.[/quote]

More in the article, with a photo too.

[Resurrexi]

It is not a church, it is an [i]ecclesial community[/i].

[BG45]

Do you have anything to actually contribute besides saying the same thing you say any time someone says the word church outside of the usage of the Roman Catholic Church?

[CatherineM]

Where I come from, guns in racks in pickups is common.

[BG45]

True enough here as well depending on the county, but wearing handguns into the building openly?

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='BG45' post='1904765' date='Jun 28 2009, 09:57 PM']Do you have anything to actually contribute besides saying the same thing you say any time someone says the word church outside of the usage of the Roman Catholic Church?[/quote]

The Eastern Orthodox have churches, too.

[Paladin D]

It's certainly not 'sinful' to bring a weapon to such a place; however, I don't think a pastor should be encouraging his flock to do so.


[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1904828' date='Jun 29 2009, 12:34 AM']The Eastern Orthodox have churches, too.[/quote]

As correct as you may be, how about discussing the actual topic of the thread (guns in a place of worship), instead of nitpicking on inaccuracies in which to derail the subject?

[Sojourner]

I know there are people on here who feel very strongly about guns, so I'll tread carefully.

I think there is a lot to be said for responsible gun ownership. Emphasis on the responsible. I think if you're going to own a gun, you have a duty to know how to use it properly, and keep it properly secured in your home. I think most people who own guns are responsible, and I think there are very good reasons to own guns for personal protection.

Using a gun can be justified, but I have issues with having guns made a focal point in church. For one, using deadly force in self-defense should always, always be an absolute last resort. "Blessing" guns seems to move it up a few places in the list of options for dealing with threats.

Plus, this seems to be a political move. The pastor did it because congregants were worried about Obama's feelings toward guns. That rubs me the wrong way too.

[BG45]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1904828' date='Jun 28 2009, 11:34 PM']The Eastern Orthodox have churches, too.[/quote]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v344/ordos45/troll.jpg[/img]

As to the topic at hand, I'm not against guns inside of a church building, nor in a pickup truck behind the church/in the lot. I do find it strange when people advocate quasi-political agendas by making a show of force from a service which ostensibly is there to honor the Lord and not firearms.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='BG45' post='1904889' date='Jun 28 2009, 11:03 PM'][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v344/ordos45/troll.jpg[/img][/quote]

Yes, I'm such a troll.

[BG45]

Considering you've yet to address the actual topic at hand and are now using the roll eyes smilie...if it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, odds are it is a duck.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='BG45' post='1904900' date='Jun 28 2009, 11:12 PM']Considering you've yet to address the actual topic at hand and are now using the roll eyes smilie...if it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, odds are it is a duck.[/quote]

I always correct others when they use the word [i]church [/i]incorrectly.

[BG45]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1904903' date='Jun 29 2009, 12:13 AM']I always correct others when they use the word [i]church [/i]incorrectly.[/quote]

Also hince the word "troll" being applied to you as you still have yet to discuss the issue at hand. I've asked, others have asked, and you still persist in derailing the thread. I'm sorry actual discourse seems to be beyond your scope.

Edit: So please do stop trying to enforce your views and that of documents of a religious nature upon a secular news source such as the BBC. They're not going to change an article to fit your point of view.

Edited June 29, 2009 by BG45

[BG45]

Terra, I agree, responsibility is a key issue, and one thing I liked about the article actually, was that it pointed out that before this little politically motivated demonstration at a worship service, the pastor had everyone make sure they had unloaded all their firearms. I think it was to avoid any accidental discharges, as well as placate those like ourselves who seem a bit uncertain about the idea of bringing firearms into this meeting place.

[Nihil Obstat]

Was the idea to 'bless' the guns, or just to have a service that honours the right to bear arms?
(I didn't read the article.)

Edited June 29, 2009 by Nihil Obstat

[BG45]

Paladin, agreed. I know people I'm pretty certain probably do bring it to worship, because they go everywhere with their concealed carry firearms. They probably don't think of it as sinful, because they're just used to it. And I don't consider it sinful when it's such an extension of a person. It's just when a pastor makes a big deal like this, and politically motivated as well.

[BG45]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1904930' date='Jun 29 2009, 12:27 AM']Was the idea to 'bless' the guns, or just to have a service that honours the right to bear arms?
(I didn't read the article.)[/quote]

Just a celebration apparently, of the right to bear arms based on certain people's fear there about President Obama's potential gun control policies. So the latter I'd guess.

[Nihil Obstat]

I don't think I have an enormous problem with it. A celebration of freedoms that you guys enjoy, right? Politically motivated.... maybe, but then again, aren't a large amount of the sourthern Protestant communities pretty politically focussed? Just how their 'worship' works.

[Gregoriana of Nyssa]

It bugs me because church is not the place for political statements or celebrating guns. Church is about Christ crucified.

[Didacus]

I would not feel confortable bringing any type of weapon into a church or house of worship.

And I fully support the right to bear arms.