God Not Guns Blog - Comments

james: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (james) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:42:58 -0400

The pilgrims arived in 1620 with their guns.The first school shooting was in 1968. The first "mass"school shootings happened in the 1990s. Since the first landing in 1620 The government took God out of schools and other public places,some parents have become friends instead of disciplinarians,or worse some parents choose not to care what their kids do as long as they don't bother the "parents". If one was to blame anything for the way things are in this world blame it on moral decay not gun ownership because moral decay IS the reason I own a firearm.

karrde: Do spoons make you fat?

nospam@example.com (karrde) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:52:17 -0400

You know, I agree with you in part.

However, before I say any more, I think we both should take this quiz on Federal Gun laws in the United States.

http://gregandbeth.com/blog/gun-control-questions.php

You might be surprised how many of your suggestions are already in place in Federal Law.

ninth stage: Guns and Meat

nospam@example.com (ninth stage) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:32:20 -0400

"Banning guns will not commend us to God…Take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to another…If banning guns is the cause of my brother’s falling, I will not ban a gun lest I cause my brother to fall."

Thirdpower: Do spoons make you fat?

nospam@example.com (Thirdpower) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:23:03 -0400

Notice those "somethings" don't include education on how to properly and safely use a firearm? Don't define "childproof"? Define "assault weapons"? etc.

So Rev. Can you tell me what an "assault weapon" is w/o resorting to Brady cutnpastes?

michael garcia: Guns and Meat

nospam@example.com (michael garcia) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:21:40 -0400

I just wanted to start the debate by answering two questions. As to why someone would need a military style rifle. the question of need is irrelevant. We don't need to explain a need to own a rifle that is black. It is our right to own firearms. Semi-auto black rifles are no more dangerous then any other firearm, unless they are used for evil purposes.

The need to carry a weapon is simple. We take responsibility of our defense. we don't want to rely on someone else to protect our families. As a father I am charged with protecting my wife and child.

Let me just add that, "the right to bear arms," has nothing to do with concealed weapons. You would be surprised to know that in the majority of the states in the U.S. is is perfectly legal to carry a firearm in the open for lawful purposes. I invite you to go to Opencarry.org and get an idea as to why we carry.

VeroFeritas: Guns and Meat

nospam@example.com (VeroFeritas) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:51:10 -0400

Amazing that a "pastor" misses the point. It was the fact that the meat had been sacrificed to idols, not that it was meat.

I can turn this around. If the inclusion of Hindu prayers, Muslim prayers and quotes from secular atheists (all analogous to the idols in Paul's words, unless you believe there is another way to Heaven other than Jesus Christ) causes my Christian brother to stumble then I will forsake honoring the Muslim god, Hindu gods or the god Karl Marx.

Or is that way out of line "reverend"? Is Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life only if it is expedient?

Thirdpower: Do spoons make you fat?

nospam@example.com (Thirdpower) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:21:22 -0400

You mean pushing for "reasonable" laws that make 10yr olds felons for having an empty casing from a Memorial Day celebration? Or supporting laws outlawing handgun ownership? Or mandating unavailable technology?

Laws like those?

I'm sure this comment will be "moderated".

tke: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (tke) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:57:51 -0400

Those who present a Gun as an Idol are the ones creating false Idols.

Guns are an easy target. For those who are unfamiliar with them they bring immediate thoughts of violece against the innocent. It carries an image of finality and immediately strikes fear into a person.

Guns are a thing foucising on erradicating a thing is much easier to do than focus on erradicating an intangible such as violence.

I hope that God gives you the wisdom to remove the filter of Gun from you mission and to focus on erradicating violence.

For in a world without violence we will have peace. Until that time I will have my Piece.

If you look at statistics on Violence in places where the citizens are prohibited from protecting themselves -vs- those that are the restricted locations have a higher rate of violence perpetrated by Guns than all violent acts combined in places where the citizens are allowed to protect themselves. How does your form of Gun Control work? I know how mine does, Cock, Aim, Pull the trigger, Repeat as neccessary.

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.

Your stance: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (Your stance) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:46:53 -0400

What would you if you happened upon a violent act being perpetrated by someone in illegal possesion of a firearm?

Would you be willing to attempt to stop it or would you hide and cower hoping that the police respind before the victim is killed?

I am willing to meet my God at whatever moment he chooses without fear of my actions. Are you?

tke: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (tke) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:32:34 -0400

I am an owner of a firearm but the only thing I worship is God.

I belive that there is a fundamental truth to what you are saying in that we need to work to reduce violence in the world.

The violent acts perpetrated by teens on a girl they did not agree with by beating her. This was a planned assault perpetrated by children without the use of weapons. Does it mean that is less important that we try to prevent this type of action?

You state "When our Congressional representatives give the gun industry immunity from prosecution, when they refuse to regulate guns as consumer products, when they refuse to enact gun laws such as the AWB that will save thousands of lives," when was the last time that you saw a criminal care if it was illegal to have a gun?

I do not belive that the armed robber who walks into a liquor store with an illegally possesed gun thought to themselves "I can't do this! It is illegal for me to own a gun." I would venture to say never because Laws are followed by those with good intentions not those with evil intentions. Gun control laws prevent the good people of this country from protecting themselves.

If a firearms manufacturer is responsible because someone used their product in an illegal manner then a manufacturer of kitchen utensils should be resposible if someone uses a butchers knife or meat cleaver to commit murder. Hey lets make the store responsible since they sold it.

If my gun was sitting locked in it's case and it shot someone they yes the manufacturer should be responsible because problem was due to a malfunction.

If a driver loses control of their car or is talking on their cellphone and kills someone in an accident is the auto manufacturer at fault or the cellphone company or carrier? Why is a firearm any different.

Now if the wheel flew off the car and struck someone and it was found that the wheel was not properly installed at the factory then yes they hold a responsibility.

The only reason these laws were enacted was to help reduce frivelous law suits that are clogging up our courts, and contributing to the beief in our society that nothing is our fault.

God tells us that we are to take responsibility for our actions. Not blame inanimate objects. That is the same as saying that the golden idol made the people worship it.

I belive that I will have to answer to God on my day of reconing for all of my actions during the time I spend on earth. I also feel that God has charged me with protecting my family from those who wish to harm it. Family can be construed as my immediate family, those close to me, or all of Gods children. I would much rather answer to him for an act protecting an innocent member of my family rather than why I did not prevent a perpatrator of violence from harming one of his children.

To quote a song my 5yr daughter sings: "Children of God, all one family"

I applaude your openness for keeping discussion open about such topics.

I pray that your choice to speak up against violence is not silenced. I however hope that you are truely against violence and not using a Gun as an Idol in the way that the politicians of our day do.

Remember, This country was created by God fearing christians who took up arms against a tyranical government and created the foundation for one of the greatest nations in the world. A nation where all people are free to voice their opinion and practice whatever religion they choose.

Give the power to God not the politician who seeks power out of selfishness.

Bob S.: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (Bob S.) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:39:20 -0400

Zorro,

I would request a favor from you. Let's keep the comments respectful. Arguing the issue is a better way of showing our values than attacking the person.

Thanks

kaveman: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (kaveman) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:15:24 -0400

No Jade, we are not dictating to others how they should live. You and your ilk are trying to force us to adopt your world view.

You advocate that I give up my property. What have I asked you to give up?

Thirdpower: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (Thirdpower) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:24:31 -0400

So Jade, If we are the ones living in fear, why are you afraid to debate Ahab over the now deleted "Guns and Meat" post which you said he was wrong on?

Carl in Chicago: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (Carl in Chicago) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:38:44 -0400

Dear Rachel:

I just found your blog. I am pleased that you are working with the troubled and the lost people, bringing them a spiritual and moral message of peace, of self-respect and respect for others, and the wholeness that is felt when one lives a just and honorable life.

Indeed, many people in our nation lack these fundamentally important things.

But I hope you work toward these things without attempting to also abrogate those all-important, God-given rights of just, honorable, and respectful defense of self, family, and loved ones from those evil individuals in the world. I too like to think that evil can be overcome with good - yet when that evil is being immediately perpetrated against me or my family, I shall overcome that evil with lethal force. Not doing so would be immoral, and irresponsible to society.

I respect and honor those around me, yet those who would choose, for whatever reason, to unjustly perpetrate evil against me or those I love need to be stopped. In some situations, the message of peace and love is too little, too late. I trust you have the life experience to acknowledge that.

I strongly support self-defense, and the right to keep and bear arms. This is a God-given right, a natural right, and a fundamentally important right. This right shall not be infringed - for any reason.

Again, bless you for bringing the word of peace and hope. I have hope for you and this blog, but your links to the Brady Campaign make me wonder about your motives. The Brady Campaign’s motive is to criminalize civilian ownership of firearms - a motive that is not only morally wrong, but with an end-result that unconstitutional (illegal) as well. are suspect.

Please spread the message of peace, love, hope, and respect, but do not work toward infringing our right to arms in the process.

PS: Thanks for allowing comments on your blog. Few (if any) blogs of this nature allow for comments. I commend your open-ness.

JadeGold: Idolatry of the Gun

nospam@example.com (JadeGold) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:23:12 -0400

Rev. Smith:

Don't be discouraged by the comments. You have it exactly right: there is an idolatory of the gun. When you point this out, you will be attacked and maligned.

These are people who live in fear and ignorance. As a result, they want everyone to live in such a state.