How can a peace loving Christian NOT support gun control?

[Triumph]

It's simple really...MOST people are very poor 'Christians'. I would argue it's especially true of Americans, who are grown to hate, to segregate, to be violent, to be greedy, etc.

Most people who claim to be Christians really aren't...or are in name only.

That should more or less solve your dilemma.

I won't argue your points, but it has nothing to do with guns. Owning a gun does not mean someone is hateful, segregatory (is that a word?), violent, greedy, etc.

 

[PrinceofWands]

What a troll post!

That's not trolling, that's 100% fact.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I won't argue your points, but it has nothing to do with guns. Owning a gun does not mean someone is hateful, segregatory (is that a word?), violent, greedy, etc.

I never said ANYTHING about guns. I explained why 'Christians' can hold contradictory beliefs.

I'm about as pro-gun as ANYONE you're ever going to meet. I view it as a sign of intelligence and virtue personally. But it's moot, because the entire problem the OP is experiencing is contained within the religion part, not the firearm part.

Let me expand on that just a bit:

IF there is a contradiction between being pro-gun and Christian, then being a bad Christian explains it. IF there is no contradiction, then it doesn't matter. My one answer solves for both possibilities without question.

Trying to argue the underlying contradiction may or may not succeed, leaving the unanswered contradiction of the OP in place. Therefore that's not a good route to take in answering his question.

 

[Mursilis]

I never said ANYTHING about guns. I explained why 'Christians' can hold contradictory beliefs.

I'm about as pro-gun as ANYONE you're ever going to meet. I view it as a sign of intelligence and virtue personally. But it's moot, because the entire problem the OP is experiencing is contained within the religion part, not the firearm part.

Let me expand on that just a bit:

IF there is a contradiction between being pro-gun and Christian, then being a bad Christian explains it. IF there is no contradiction, then it doesn't matter. My one answer solves for both possibilities without question.

And saying "because magic fairies did it!" answers nearly all scientific questions, but still isn't true.

 

[PrinceofWands]

And saying "because magic fairies did it!" answers nearly all scientific questions, but still isn't true.

You are correct. Fortunately what I said was 100% true, so we don't have that problem.

 

[Mursilis]

You are correct. Fortunately what I said was 100% true, so we don't have that problem.

Did you stamp your feet after you typed that?

 

[rudder]

Kill them all and let God sort them out.

But really... just because you own a gun does not make one a homicidal maniac.

 

[Double Trouble]

I'll assume for a second that this is not the usual trolling (which around here is usually a bad assumption).

If you're a Christian fundamentalist and you take scripture to be literally interpreted, then owning a weapon is allowed (see Luke 22:36), but using that weapon against another (even in defense of self or others) is not (see the Sermon on the Mount). However, the threat of having the weapon as a deterrent is OK. In other words, having a gun in a holster on your hip would be a fine way to deter a criminal from messing with you, but if someone did attack you, you should not use it (or any weapon) to resist.

Most Christians don't believe that all scripture is meant to be accepted literally without context and interpretation. In my opinion, if you did, you'd run into a lot of contradictions. In fact, the Old Testament includes laws on killing in self defense, which would contradict the Sermon on the Mount. Instead, scripture should be interpreted in the context of the time during which it was written, which of course leaves it wide open for people to abuse it / manipulate it to mean anything they want it to mean and use it to justify anything.

My personal take is that the Sermon on the Mount "eye for an eye" etc should be taken in the context of not seeking revenge and instead forgiving those who do something wrong to you. Stopping someone from hurting someone is OK, but hurting them back as a form of vengeance is not.

The other issue with regard to the OP is that you assume that not wanting to own a gun is the same as supporting gun control. Perhaps because of my religious values I might think that using a gun is not allowed, but that doesn't mean I need to support misguided attempts by the government to take the guns away from law abiding citizens.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Did you stamp your feet after you typed that?

No, just a slight shake of my head in pity for any too ignorant to realize that it's true.

 

[JTsyo]

It's simple really...MOST people are very poor 'Christians'. I would argue it's especially true of Americans, who are grown to hate, to segregate, to be violent, to be greedy, etc.

Most people who claim to be Christians really aren't...or are in name only.

That should more or less solve your dilemma.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." -Gandhi

 

[Painman]

Ya know what? I don't own a gun, never even fired one, but I support the 2nd amendment. I support its spirit. I also support the right to defend one's self and one's property (individual sovereignty) and the right to shoot and kill some food, with reasonable restrictions like hunting seasons and prohibitions upon rifle use in populated areas.

A gun by itself is a cold, lifeless object. A tool. People make them into vessels of violence, or utility, as they see fit. I could say the same thing about a tire iron.

 

[StageLeft]

I'll assume for a second that this is not the usual trolling (which around here is usually a bad assumption).

If you're a Christian fundamentalist and you take scripture to be literally interpreted, then owning a weapon is allowed (see Luke 22:36), but using that weapon against another (even in defense of self or others) is not (see the Sermon on the Mount). However, the threat of having the weapon as a deterrent is OK. In other words, having a gun in a holster on your hip would be a fine way to deter a criminal from messing with you, but if someone did attack you, you should not use it (or any weapon) to resist.

Most Christians don't believe that all scripture is meant to be accepted literally without context and interpretation. In my opinion, if you did, you'd run into a lot of contradictions. In fact, the Old Testament includes laws on killing in self defense, which would contradict the Sermon on the Mount. Instead, scripture should be interpreted in the context of the time during which it was written, which of course leaves it wide open for people to abuse it / manipulate it to mean anything they want it to mean and use it to justify anything.

My personal take is that the Sermon on the Mount "eye for an eye" etc should be taken in the context of not seeking revenge and instead forgiving those who do something wrong to you. Stopping someone from hurting someone is OK, but hurting them back as a form of vengeance is not.

The other issue with regard to the OP is that you assume that not wanting to own a gun is the same as supporting gun control. Perhaps because of my religious values I might think that using a gun is not allowed, but that doesn't mean I need to support misguided attempts by the government to take the guns away from law abiding citizens.

Seems reasonable. Culture and word use back 2000 years ago was different enough from now that without an understanding of it it's difficult to understand the original author's intent for much of the bible, just as a guy in 1930's talking about a man being gay would have a different intent than saying a man is gay in 2009.

 

[Fear No Evil]

Hello, im really curious how some Christians can actually support people owning guns. The 2 concepts seem so fundamentally opposed to each other since Christian thinking is very much opposed to violence (eg turn your other cheek), yet some American Christians argue so fervently in support of the right to own guns? When they speak of Jesus its all about love and compassion, yet when they speak of guns they turn into a completly different person?? How is this thinking reconciled in their minds?

Just curious cause i'm taken aback by how people i thought were very peaceful turn militant when they speak of gun control.

I'm just curious as to how non-christians (you?) support stealing, rape, murder, etc?

 

[Atreus21]

Hello, im really curious how some Christians can actually support people owning guns. The 2 concepts seem so fundamentally opposed to each other since Christian thinking is very much opposed to violence (eg turn your other cheek), yet some American Christians argue so fervently in support of the right to own guns? When they speak of Jesus its all about love and compassion, yet when they speak of guns they turn into a completly different person?? How is this thinking reconciled in their minds?

Just curious cause i'm taken aback by how people i thought were very peaceful turn militant when they speak of gun control.

Christians are not pacifists. We hate violence, but admit it is sometimes necessary. There are worse things than violence and war, and sometimes violence and war must be used to prevent those things.

That's pretty much it.

 

[Painman]

Christians are not pacifists. We hate violence, but admit it is sometimes necessary. There are worse things than violence and war, and sometimes violence and war must be used to prevent those things.

That's pretty much it.

Worse things than violence and war? Like what?

 

[Atreus21]

Worse things than violence and war? Like what?

Like the things that happen when we don't go to war to stop forces like Hitler.

War is the right course of action, and the first resort, in the face of evil.

Although, I grant that evil is perhaps more clearly seen in hindsight.

 

[lupi]

What does one have to do with the other.

 

[Kirby]

Hunting?
Fun?

And even if Christians think that owning guns is wrong, what does that have to do allowing people to have them?

 

[evident]

I think the better topic would be How can you be Christian and not support health care reform and helping your neighbors with the health burden.

Just because you're Christian doesn't make you a pushover to let someone break into your house, rape your family and steal your shit and kill you. You have a right to defend yourself.

And even though Christians SHOULD be anti-war all the time, they view it as sometimes necessary (see just war theory). the iraq war is still complete BS though.

 

[BurnItDwn]

1.) This is very much a troll post. Don't deny it OP.
2.) Ownership of a tool that can be used as a weapon does not a violent person make.

A Good person will not use their gun to hurt other people. There are reasons to own a gun besides "murder." Examples: Recreation, sport, protection (from bears.)

Should good people have their rights stripped away because bad people do bad things with these tools?

note: my post has nothing to do with religion, as I don't think there is any real relationship between guns and religion in the USA.

If you support disassembly of the constitution and deletion of the second amendment, then fuck you.

 

[Ausm]

If they are in the same ilk of holyrollers like my brother is then they are a one issue voter Pro-life and they don't give a fuck about anything else like supporting corporate greed, obstructing anything that can help humanity and frying people.

 

[JKing106]

What a troll post!

It's the truth.

 

[JS80]

It's simple really...MOST people are very poor 'Christians'. I would argue it's especially true of Americans, who are grown to hate, to segregate, to be violent, to be greedy, etc.

Most people who claim to be Christians really aren't...or are in name only.

That should more or less solve your dilemma.

CHRINOs?

 

[CaptainGoodnight]

Christianity is not pacifistism. Christianity believes you have a right to defend yourself and your family. Guns are a means to that end. You whole premise is flawed.

 

[Atreus21]

Christianity is not pacifistism. Christianity believes you have a right to defend yourself and your family. Guns are a means to that end. You whole premise is flawed.

Thumbs up.