Just a couple of thoughts. I believe that the rights in the bill of rights are co-equal. Even among the big three in the Declaration of Independence, one can argue that if you are missing any one, the others don't matter much. Sure, life seems all important. But without liberty, what is life? Something about better to die on one's feet than live on one's knees?
I believe the freedom of religion, including the right to peacefully practice your religion is every bit as crucial a part of my freedom as is my RKBA, as is my right to access an attorney and compel witnesses in my defense to appear if I am accused of a crime. Indeed, at the end of the day I protect my RKBA as a means of final defense of my other rights. I mean, I enjoy a little recreational shooting as much as the next guy. But I really do view my RKBA as a means of protecting my other rights which I consider the ends.
So if a church--even a church I attend, belong to, and/or sincerely believe is God's kingdom on earth--doesn't want guns in its facilities (religious, charitable, even commercial), I am inclined to respect those beliefs and comply one way or another.
It seems to me churches--including the one to which I belong--have long had a mixed relationship with guns and other weapons. When push comes to shove, a gun in hand can mean the difference between martyrdom and being left to practice your religion peacefully. And yet churches--Christian churches anyway--do have doctrinal obligations in most cases to proclaim peace, to shun violence, to encourage peaceful means. I recognize that as a lay member I have somewhat different obligations than does my church as an organization. I am to provide for and protect my family which requires protecting myself and my ability to provide. Churches are to preach doctrines.
When it comes to facilities of the Catholic, LDS, or other churches that I know are not comfortable with guns, I will obey the applicable laws. Where carrying is technically legal but may still upset sensitivities, I will avail myself of the legal ability to conceal so that it simply isn't an issue. There might also be considerations of whether I want to do business in a facility--religious or otherwise--that doesn't welcome my gun.
We often say an armed society is a polite society. I try to do my part by respecting the rights and beliefs of others, even when I don't fully agree.
Fair warning - I am an out-of-the-closet atheist and anarchist. Personally, I don't have nearly as much issue with religion as I do with government. I agree with Larken Rose that our belief in government/authority is the most dangerous superstition of all.
Now this is an eminently sensible position. In our day and age when the most any church can legally do is to withdraw association, it is the power of government that should be most concerning.
Also, I'm debating on whether it's too soon to slam Nelson Mandela. He was brutal and this fascination that lame-stream has to put him on a pedestal is tragic. Any thoughts?
I think any discussion of Mandela needs to be fully contexted. I am not a student of his life, but my cursory knowledge says that he was not the same man at his death, nor even when released from prison, as he was when he was sent to prison. Perhaps rather than "slamming" him, a discussion of his problems might be better phrased in terms of ability to change or redemption if you will.
I hope by the time I die, my sins, mistakes, even potential crimes of my youth are not the basis on which my entire life is judged, especially not if I've made significant changes over the course of that life.
Charles
