Should Pastors and churchgoers be armed in Church?
Would you feel safe if your brother and sister in Christ was fully loaded?
by 
ANSWERS: 9
-
I feel safer when I'M armed. What others want to do is up to them.
-
-
Jenny_Rizzo Regardless of your background? lol -
Hardcore Conservative Meaning what? I know my background and I know that I'm safer, and my family is safer if I'm armed. -
Jenny_Rizzo Meaning a lot. Since you know your background, does your background include lying, cheating and stealing?
-
Hardcore Conservative No. But does that make a difference?
-
Jenny_Rizzo It makes a big difference. This will inspire many dishonest churchgoers to carry a gun to church. So as those black Baptists say: "You ain't seen nothing yet."
-
Hardcore Conservative That's quite a jump if you're suggesting that honesty has anything to do with a propensity to start shooting people. If I'm a cleptomaniac, does that have anything to do with gun violence? I'll answer that for you. No, it does not. What I can tell you is that having a sign in front of the church saying "Gun Free Zone" is like telling the wolf that there is no sheepdog watching the flock; you'll rely on the wolf's good intentions instead. Good luck with that.
-
Jenny_Rizzo All it takes is good judgment to be ahead of others. You don't know another person's motives and background to feel safe around them. With inspiration to carry guns, it is no longer a church service, but a place of anxiety.
-
Hardcore Conservative I have no anxiety when I carry my gun, no matter where I am, so I'm gonna have to disagree with you. I would be anxious if I DIDN'T have my gun.
-
Jenny_Rizzo As usual, you are misreading my comments. I never said you had anxiety. I said it would no longer be a church service, knowing that churchgoers will anxiously keep an eye on each other. You can disagree, because in your perspective, who are you putting your trust in, God or your gun?
-
Hardcore Conservative It's a church service no matter what people have with them. As far as saving lives, I'm putting my trust in my weapon. God is not going to come down and stop someone from shooting me. When He did do though, is give me the frame of mind and resolve to defend myself. Nor do I think that churchgoers are anxiously keeping an eye on each other. If you're waiting on God to do all the work, you'll be waiting a long time.
-
Jenny_Rizzo Quote: "Nor do I think that churchgoers are anxiously keeping an eye on each other." Then there is no reason to panic and carry a gun. It's not like church shootings happen every Sunday.
-
Jenny_Rizzo Quote: "As far as saving lives, I'm putting my trust in my weapon. God is not going to come down and stop someone from shooting me." Very funny! So now you're saying that your weapon is superior to God???
-
Hardcore Conservative Who's panicking? I carry my gun everywhere, not just to church. Having a gun with you does not mean that someone is in panic mode. It only means that I'm prepared to defend myself if the need arises. And no, church shootings do not happen every Sunday. Nor do movie theatre shootings. Or concert shootings. Or school shootings. You can say that God is stopping more from happening if you'd like, but tell me why all the mass shootings we are having are happening in "Gun Free Zones?"
-
Hardcore Conservative Don't try with the faith-based argument. That one doesn't work. It's like telling people not to wear their seatbelt because if they're in a crash, God will save them, not the seatbelt, because God is superior to the seatbelt.
-
Jenny_Rizzo Speaking of seatbelts, Matthew 4:7 clearly states that you shall not tempt the Lord your God. While carrying a gun is unchristlike. Therefore, return your sword to its place.
-
Jenny_Rizzo Quote: "Don't try with the faith-based argument. That one doesn't work." It is impossible to please God without faith. Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
-
Hardcore Conservative Quoting scripture does not make your argument any more valid. "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed"
-
Jenny_Rizzo Quote "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" This isn't Judaism we are speaking about. We are speaking about Christians.
-
Jenny_Rizzo Quote: "Quoting scripture does not make your argument any more valid." Actually it does. A true Christian lives by the teachings of the New Testament. Once again, return your sword to its place.
-
Hardcore Conservative Unfortunately, you're wrong. Scripture does NOT make you more right in an argument, since that's all about faith and faith alone. Trying to take a moral high ground is not factual. I'll put my faith in my iron to save my life. God is there to save my soul, not my life.
-
Hardcore Conservative BTW, my quote is from Genesis. Old Testament.
-
Jenny_Rizzo I know. That's why I didn't bother quoting the chapter and verse.
-
-
Psalms 11:5 clearly states that God disapproves of violence. If we allow this violent system to change our beliefs and actions, what distinguishes us from the “unrighteous” ones who practice violence? Jesus will separate the righteous from the wicked, and the wicked will be lead to destruction (Mat 25:31-33,46).
-
-
Hardcore Conservative
God gave his archangels swords because He knew you can't defeat evil with words alone. -
LizzyP
Jesus tells Peter: ?Return your sword to its place. Don?t you think that I can ask my Father for thousands of angels to save me?? John 18:11. I, personally, have not been given the authority equivalent to that of an angel, so I have to stick to what the scriptures instruct humans to do. -
Hardcore Conservative
Psalm 144:1 - A psalm of David. - Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. -
Jenny_Rizzo
Hardcore Conservative, you have it all twisted. The book of Psalm being from the Old Testament was targeted at the Jews from their surrounding enemies. Let's go to the New Testament. What did Jesus say in Matthew 5:44? Love your __________. (Fill in the blank) And let's stay relevant to the teachings of Christianity. -
Hardcore Conservative
Now Psalms now is not relevant? It's not fitting the narrative? Well how about when Jesus told his Disciples to arm themselves...Luke 22:36 ?He said to them, ?But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.? Is it not also said that man should defend those weaker and unable to stand up to aggression; in Proverbs 25:26, "Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked." He also says in Exodus that it's okay to kill the thief who breaks into you house at night. -
Hardcore Conservative
I don't want to get into a big debate about what the Bible says and what it doesn't say, since it's open to interpretation based on each person's beliefs. You can't pick and choose the ones that fit the argument. God did say that we have the right to defend ourselves, and others (in my opinion) so that's what I will do. Whether or not you believe that is completely up to your and your faith. With my background, I have faith that when my Judgement comes, I'll have no problems answering for the lives I've taken. -
Jenny_Rizzo
How is it not relevant? Uhh, there were no Christians in the book of Psalm. Again, the book of Psalm was targeted at the Jews. Oh, nowhere in Exodus does it resemble Christianity. As for Proverbs, it is a book of wisdom that was written to instruct the nation of Israel. -
Jenny_Rizzo
Going to Luke 22:36, this is literal thinking on your behalf. The sword is known as The Holy Bible. Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." -
Jenny_Rizzo
If you can't understand Scripture symbolically, then you can't understand what Christ wants from His followers. -
Hardcore Conservative
Who are you to dictate what my faith says to me and what it doesn't? I understand Scripture just fine. If you don't like the fact that I may disagree with what your faith is telling you what to take from the Bible, then that's on you. -
Jenny_Rizzo
Hi "Hardcore Conservative," it's been a while since we haven't had a discussion. Thanks for bringing up these comments again. -
Jenny_Rizzo
Quote: "Who are you to dictate what my faith says to me and what it doesn't?" Uhh, what faith are you referring to? Paganism or the Gospel? It is the Bible that sets the record straight. You have not shown me any scriptures in the New Testament to support your claims. All you have done is based your beliefs on Luke 22:36. Where do you get the idea that Luke 22:36 is saying that Christians should literally be armed with swords or guns?
-
-
definitely and i think some might already be armed at my church
-
-
Jenny_Rizzo
"Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are." What a good example Jesus set for His disciples. lol -
DaTeacher
If you’re comfortable carrying, carry. You’re not safe anywhere these days. I carry when I go to church. -
DaTeacher
I forgot to mention that several people within my church conceal carry at church.
-
-
Probably. Virtually every mass murderer in the US has been a Christian.
-
-
Jenny_Rizzo
Your answer is inaccurate. I will give you a thumbs up anyways for answering. Actually, there is a difference between Pagans and Christians. A Christian adheres to the teachings of Christ. 2 John 1:9 "Anyone who runs on ahead and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ [that is, one who is not content with what He taught], does not have God; but the one who continues to remain in the teaching [of Christ does have God], he has both the Father and the Son." -
Hardcore Conservative
Joe, do you have any facts to support that claim? -
Hardcore Conservative
I'll take that as a no.
-
-
I thought they were already armed with the word of God. And armored as described in Ephesians 6. Yes I would be more comfortable if my brothers and sisters were armed than if they're not. It's good people with guns at stop bad people with guns.
-
-
Jenny_Rizzo
Quote: "Yes I would be more comfortable if my brothers and sisters were armed than if they're not." Knowing they are armed, you can put your trust in them. Those are quite some brothers and sisters you'll be having. LOL
-
-
Only with love
-
-
Hardcore Conservative
And the militant atheists that shoot the place up.
-
-
Where it's legal, if they want. And yes, I'd feel more safe if at least one of the good guys had a gun to stop the bad guy.
-
Just as long as it's legal
pearllederman 
OC Joe 
Linda Joy 
Roaring 
we are dough 68 RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC