RE: Church Promotion of Guns as "God's Will" is an Insult

Do these people have so little regard for themselves and others, that they are willing to risk their lives? Or are they simply Hoplophobes, who need to grow up and face facts? "Our families and children are less safe because of the proliferation of deadly and loaded guns being carried in public, both openly and concealed." To claim the public is in greater danger due to the ownership, or carrying of firearms open or concealed is absurd at best, the facts prove otherwise.

Even Jesus told his disciples to acquire arms to protect themselves because he understood the danger in the world. Jesus may have had command of legions of angels to protect him if needed, but us mere mortals do not. (Jesus told his disciples in Luke 22:36 "Whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.") For what purpose, if not for self-defense? Later in Luke 22:38 - Jesus’ rebuke of Peter’s use of the sword that night was because of the inept and inappropriate use of the weapon, as one man against trained soldiers would have been suicide . Jesus also stopped Peter, because of
the timing, because God's Will was fullfillment of His mission – the Cross. Check it out for yourself, google:The Bible and Self-Defense, or The Bible and Self-Defence - by Don Walker http://www.hyperbible.com/articles/selfdefence.asp

In Michigan, the rules as I understand them says concealed carry in church is prohibited, unless you have permission to do so. I for one asked, and talked to the pastor of the church I attend about it, and got permission from the church board to carry while in services. They were initially suprised, not that I requested to carry in church, BUT THAT I BOLDLY ASKED. They understood my concern over the increased attacks on people in "gun free zones" (AKA: Victim Preserves) in the last couple years.They were glad to have someone step up and ask, who would be willing to protect those, who could not, or would not defend themselves. Besides, Christ’s law of love requires defense of one’s helpless brothers & sisters. Force is never condemned in the Scriptures – only the misuse of force.

I do not encourage violence, and I do not look for trouble, but I am cautious and prepared to deal with problems if they occur. As I explained, I carry almost all the time, because you never know when you might need to protect yourself and others.

I demonstrate this with the example: It's kind of like having a spare tire and insurance for your car, you hope you never need to use it, but your sure glad to have it when it's needed. Nobody in their right mind believes your right to self defense stops at the door of a church, just look at the examples of dangerous criminals taking advantage of a gatherings (schools, churches, etc.) of unarmed victims. When lawlessness is allowed to reign, with the breakdown of society , self-defense is required for survival.