An Independent Perspective
Howdy Folks!
At the outset, let me state clearly that I am not a church going guy. I am also not given to religion. I am, however, quite spiritual. There is a difference, in my opinion, between religion and spirituality. That is fodder for another discussion entirely.
That being said, I'd like to offer another perspective that I don't beleive has been touched upon as yet.
We all believe that we have the right, if not responsibility and duty, to defend our own home. We have firearms to protect ourselves against intrusion or invasion into our homes and to defend our own lives and protect our family.
The church we might attend is looked upon by believers as the House of God. Those who gather at church are a "family" of believers. Those within a given church share a relationship as the children of God. The House of God is their "home" for worship.
Given any validity on these points, do we not defend our home for worship and the family of believers to which we may be part? Is it not a community, in the literal sense of the word? Do we not defend our community? Those who attend church will bring their entire family to worship. Do they not need protection and means of defense in the worship home just as much as in the home where they live?
The attacks on churches around the world are manifest. Cairo, Iraq, and other nations has shown that churches can be vulnerable. Attacks against churches in the United States are also well documented, from Selma Alabama to the New Life Church in Colorado Springs! I seem to recall Jesus telling his followers to sell their garmets to buy swords. For what purpose would he say that? What other purpose does a sword have but for defense?
Luke 22:36 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.
Christian churches often have statues and iconography depicting swords, spears and other implements of battle. Throughout Europe, you'll see places honoring Knights Templar and those who fought in the crusades holding their weapons of war over their graves. Why is that so?
Touching back on the New Life Church, it was armed security that prevented what may well have been a much larger tragedy. They fired upon and stopped someone intent on doing massive harm to the church family gathered for worship.
There are churches that have security folks armed and ready to fend off an encounter here in Colorado. Others are not prepared, and would be without defense against a determined intruder. The natural question would be "Does the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" end at the church door?
Such questions as I raise must be settled by individual churches and individual worshippers. They must decide their own course. I do not see the right to worship being infringed by the right to bear arms. They are not mutually exclusive, in my opinion. In fact, my belief is that the chalice is not complete without the blade. But that too is another story altogether.
We are fond of saying "What do you do when seconds matter and the police are minutes away?" The question is for the churches to decide, and their members to figure out for themselves. Not being a church going guy, I would not assume to judge their decision either way. I do what is right for me and my family, and that is what must be true of each citizen. That being said, if I were a church going guy, my own personal decision would be based on a simple sort of logic peculiar to myself:
If I am prepared, armed and ready to defend my house and family (my personal sanctuary), why would I be any less focused on defending even more strongly the House of God and my family at church, and the community of worshippers I share space with?
In closing, I'd just like to note that the Temple of Solomon had heavily armed guards ready to fight off invaders.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this.
Why did the temple have temple guards?
The subject is interesting, but I am not a church going guy. Those who do attend church need to decide for themselves, their family and their church going community what is right for their specific situation. It is not for me to say or judge in any manner.
But if I did decide to worship in a church, I'd surely hope that they'd have security people prepared and ready to defend my life. And if they didn't, I'd carry. Ultimately, the responsibility for my life and the lives of my loved ones rests with me. To my mind, it is a simple matter. Whatever choice I make must be right. It is not my intent to be wrong, especially dead wrong! So long as church attacks are possible, the churches must be prepared to deal with the possibility.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
