Tricorn
Regular Member
I am a Deist, I believe that the Creator granted me certain unalienable rights.
+1
God gave us reason, not religion.
I am a Deist, I believe that the Creator granted me certain unalienable rights.
+1
God gave us reason, not religion.
Well said.
From what read in the Bible it is written that every human being has a body, soul, and spirit.
Scriptures teach that the soul is that invisible part of all living beings that feels, the seat of his affections, emotions, passions, and desires, and which gives him self-consciousness and makes him a sentient being (Lev. 23:43; 1 Sam. 22;2; 30:6; 2 Sam. 13:39; 2 Kings 4:27; 23:3; Ps. 107:5, 9, 18, 26; Mark 12:33; Matt. 26:38; John 12:27; Heb. 10: 38; Heb. 4:12).
With all these God created passions, emotions and desires and the fact that we are self-conscious sentient beings, somewhere in all that is the natural act of self preservation. Only a fool would place their hand in a raging furnace, or jump off a high building to experience flying whilst praying that his God will protect him from harm. Haz.
I suspect a lot of folks on here belong to one or the other religious affiliations. Which one is none of mine or anyone else's business.
What I would like to ask those of you who have a religious affiliation is, "What is your particular group's stand on firearms/Second Amendment issues?"
My reason for asking is this: I was shocked and dismayed to find that the body with which I am currently affiliated is very anti-gun and, in fact, backs the UN treaty that is nothing but a gun grab. I won't, as yet, dissolve my association because of other, personal, considerations, but they will not get any financial support from me.
Before anyone asks, yes, my pastor is very much aware of my feelings in this matter.
I'm a devout Christian, but I don't belong to any particular church. Like Haz I read the Bible and learn things for myself. There are plenty of scriptures that support the right to self defense. Moses led armies through Canaan. David slew Goliath using a sling (an ancient projectile weapon that slung small 'missiles' that could either be stone, lead, or other heavy metal), Sampson whupped the tar out of the Philistines even unto his dying breath. Even Christ threw the money changers out of the temple, and the disciples were known to throw down every now and again. There are many many scriptures about righteous men standing against the wicked, and arming yourself to make to stand up for good in this world.
All in all I don't think the good Lord has any problem with self defense in any form, whether it be by sword or gun.
Mine is 100% pro firearms. Of course the total membership is ONE and invitations are NOT being issued.
I ABHOR organized religions. There have been more people murdered in the name of religion than for any other "reason".
He not only drove the money changers out of the temple, upturning the heavy solid wooden tables, He was no limp wristed little baby Jesus as fundamental Christianity teaches.
"And when he had made a scourge of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;" (John 2:15).
He also made a WHIP and flogged them out! He also advised his followers that if they never had a sword, sell their garments and buy one. Not for decoration, purley for self defence!
"Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."(Luke 22:36).
Don't get me started on my pro gun/self defense sermon, yes I am a Preacher.
My last Church was Methodist. And I was quite disappointed to find out the official stance is quite anti gun.
I'm not trying to come across as bashing the UMC, but it seems there are quite a few Methodists on this forum that are unaware of the UMC's official position on firearm ownership.
So in the interest of following the rules on this forum, here are a few official citations of UMC policy:
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=3631781&ct=4108477
http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=4&mid=937
http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=16&mid=4928
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=2837503&ct=4108477¬oc=1
http://blogs.jta.org/politics/artic...-opposes-effort-to-undermine-dc-firearms-laws
http://www.pinkpistols.org/antigun.html
."Violence and, more particularly, violence to children and youth is a primary concern for United Methodists. We recognize and deplore violence which kills and injures children and youth. In the name of Christ, who came so that persons might know abundant life, we call upon the church to affirm its faith through vigorous efforts to curb and eliminate gun violence."
"The law even allows people to carry guns into a house of worship without penalty if the house of worship does not follow an elaborate notification system."
I currently do not subscribe to any religious affiliate... however I was raised in a Christian home where guns were not tolerated. We were taught to rely on God to protect us... owning a handgun would have spat in His face because it meant we did not have faith in Him to protect us from evil.
Okay so that's a bit of a dramatic take on it... but that was the basic idea.