I guess of everything that anybody says to me, what makes me sickest is "you call yourself a Christian?" because their ignorant perception of what a Christian is doesn't coincide with what I do or say.
Since this web site is about gun ownership and use from a Christian perspective, that's where I'll start. The notion that a Christian should not own or use a weapon in self defense is first unbiblical and second flies in the face of the second amendment to the Constitution.
Recorded in Matthew 26:51-52 and John 18:10-11 is Peter cutting off the ear of a soldier in the group that had come to retrieve Jesus. While Jesus commanded him to put up his sword, it must be acknowledged that Peter and the other disciples carried swords daily for self defense against robbers, wild animals, etc. Jesus acknowledged their possession of weapons but never told them to give them up - Luke 22:38.
The chant of skeptics and people determined to disparage Christianity in general, is the parroted "Thou shalt not kill" of King James version fame in Exodus 20. Any honest person reading this will acknowledge that it refers to murder, not to self defense or war. In virtually all modern versions of the Bible it is translated "You shall not murder".
Wars, including wars instigated by God were prevalent throughout the Old Testament. The wars were grievous to God, but necessary to keep the horrible influences of pagan nations from infiltrating the culture of the Israelites, and for other reasons. God never told any Old Testament figure to not carry weapons. Jesus did not, nor did the writers of the New Testament. It is a matter of common sense that the current, practical weapons of any time in history are the ones that must be in the hands of all citizens to be able to defend themselves effectively against criminals of that culture and era. Guns are ours.
We live in a great nation that guarantees the individual's right...... "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." For those who chant: "That refers to a militia only, such as the National Guard" -- the entire document which is the Bill of Rights deals with the rights of individuals. What makes you think it deals with a collective issue here?
The founding fathers knew exactly what the second amendment referred to as noted below:
-"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- Thomas Jefferson Papers
-"The Constitutions of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed." -Thomas Jefferson.
-"(The Constitution preserves) the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation...(where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." -James Madison.
"Arms in the hands of citizens (may) be used at individual discretion...in private self defense..." -John Adams, A defense of the Constitutions of the Government of the USA, 471 (1788).
"To disarm the people (is) the best and most effectual way to enslave them..." -George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 380.
Remember that the contents of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights was the response by the framers to what had been British tyranny. The emphasis of the documents that essentially made America a free nation were documents "of the people", not of some government military organization. The framers were determined that the government would never override the rights of the people again.
Christians who believe that the U.S. Constitution was framed (including the second amendment) under the guiding hand of an almighty God, have an obligation to train with, obtain and keep arms to protect themselves, their families and their country.
"Gun control" is the strongest policy available for a government with a bent towards control of it's citizens and it's citizen's dependency on that government. For those determined to blindly hand the safety and security of you and your family to the government, while you nobly shout "get rid of guns", go ahead. See what happens when you are assaulted, your house is broken into or a member of your family is grievously violated because you believed that the police would be your guardian angels in case of criminal assault. The police will show up after the act. That's too late.
As for me, I'll take responsibility for me and mine. I and my family will still be standing to give a statement when the police arrive.
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