Should christians own guns?

Question

I asked a similar question a few hours ago and coped an absolute canning for daring to suggest that owning a gun goes against what chistians stand for.

So I thought I might try to explain myself better.

Christianity is supposed to be a passive religion. While in the OT, God sent the Isrealites on the war path, in the new testament, it's very clear that Jesus was pretty keen on the "love thy enemy" bit.

Guns ARE designed to kill. Someone protested that they are for shooting, not killing. I say that's a silly semantic arguement. A gun that fires bullets is a lethal weapon.

Another said that knives kill people too, but that's up close. Guns can kill from a distance and from a hidden location.

I can't imagine, if Jesus was the messiah, and was alive today, that he'd own a gun or condon his followers owning one.

It just seems to go against everything that christianity is supposed to stand for.

Or are christians meant to be violent rather than pacifists?

Personally, I think nobody should own guns. I find it interesting that the USA is predominantly christians, yet has such a high rate of gun ownership.

Answer 1

American Christians love guns, and they have used Orwellian "doublethink" to convince themselves that it is justified in their religion. Much like they do with how they only take certain parts of the old testament as law.


Personally I like guns, just not in the classroom or in the hands of the mentally unstable, or in the hands of cowboy cops.



HAHAHAHA. I love the answerers that had to consult their pastor on whether or not they should take what the bible says literally. The bible clearly says to turn the other cheek, so what makes you think you should defend your family?

Answer 2

I don't really think that Jesus would have an issue with it, after all several of his followers had swords, another weapon designed to kill.

It is all how it is used. I own several, a couple of high-power rifles, a shotgun, and 4 pistols. I do a bit of hunting and used to be an expert marksman in the military - still do some competitive shooting.

While the teaching of Christianity is one of peace, we are not forbidden to not kill when it comes to protecting our lives, or the life of another. Obviously we (and I hope this isn't limited to Christians) would prefer a non-fatal outcome, but sometimes this isn't an option.

Would I ever use my weapons to kill someone - yes, I would if it were for protection. Being a former military intelligence officer, I can thankfully say that I have only had to make that decisions 2 times, both with favorable outcomes (meaning no one was killed). As a private citizen I have never had to make that call.

Should Christians own guns. . . That is up to the Christian. We, like all Americans (except those prohibited by law), have a Constitutional right to own them so I would argue that we can own a gun.

Answer 3

I incredibly have a level in theology, and that i'm additionally a handgun instructor who teaches self protection. a million. You cite the ten commandments, fantastically the command with regards to "do not kill". The context there is on the challenge of homicide / homicide, that's an act that follows hatred, for hatred is the spirit of homicide. There are different places in that regulation that talk approximately killing criminals, killing in war, etc. 2. Christians are actually not a occasion to the previous covenant regulation. you won't be able to be held to the situations of a covenant you're actually not a occasion to. Your "it form of feels to me" fact motels to an advert hominem, calling contributors of the NRA, "white, hick, uneducated, Christians." An advert hominem is what human beings motel to as a manner to disparage others in a single's very own ideas so as that they could justify ignoring the subjects and information. You ask, "is fatally shooting somebody not considered homicide?" It relies upon on your motivation. If it grew to become into an act of hatred for the different individual, definite. in case you shot the different as a manner to dodge them from harming/killing you, or a relatives member or pal, no. Getting decrease back on your unique question, why might a Christian very own a gun? because of the fact there are undesirable human beings in the international. There are human beings available that could kill you, then rob your domicile all the at the same time as ingesting an ice cream cone. There are human beings available who might rape and kill and think of not something of it. that's expected that properly over a million circumstances a 365 days in the U.S. violent crimes against persons have been thwarted by potential of the sufferer producing a gun, the place they did not even could shoot. what number of their lives have been spared as a consequence? Or, do you incredibly help the theory that we could constantly all be helpless sufferers of the evil people who're unfastened on the streets? Do you lock your doorways at night? .

Answer 4

The bible doesn't restrict you from defending yourself. Jesus said to love your enemy, but he didn't say anything about letting them harm innocent people. Defense isn't just about self-defense. It's about ending a threat to society as a whole. That person who poses a threat to me tonight may pose a threat to you tomorrow night if I don't put myself in danger to stop them. And the Old Testament God and the New Testament God are the same person, so your arguement doesn't hold water.

Besides, I own several guns, and none of them have killed anybody. They have so far been used only for target shooting, although they can be pressed into service for home defense if needed.

Answer 5

It is a very big issue indeed and I can only speak personally that I do not agree with Christians having guns,Jesus said that he who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword.
There is however a mentality abroad among some Christian communities that they may one day have to defend their faith against a totally corrupt and or anti-christian government that will spring up, there is also the fact that recent terrorist activities have made people feel less and less secure and not just Christians may I add.
However it also has to be said that normal and responsible people Christian or non-christian don`t as a rule abuse the right to bear and keep arms,as I said it is a very big issue indeed.

Answer 6

As a christian and as an American, you have to protect yourself from things that might harm you. If someone is in your house wanting to kill you, does the law not say you can hurt them out of self defense? God says we need to obey the man made laws and our government. I don't see why any Christian would want to just go out and kill somebody, but it does happen. I would say the reason a gun would be "okay" would be for protection and protecting those who you love

Answer 7

Jesus said to turn the other cheek. This is related to being insulted and such. If someone is attacking my body and wanting to inflict physical harm, it is no sin to try and defend myself. I don't have a gun and I don't want one. But I don't have anything against people owning one either. Most who do are very responsible people who keep the gun out of reach and locked away.

Answer 8

The ones in the conservative little town I live in here in Virginia seem to think so. :)

I think self defence is a basic human right but some really do take things too far with semi-automatic rifles and 50 caliber assault weapons etc.

Answer 9

Some people desperately seek security by arming themselves with guns. Christians, though, take seriously the words of Jesus, who said: “Those who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) God’s people have ‘beaten their swords into plowshares’ and do not buy guns to protect themselves from robbery or assault.—Micah 4:3.

Answer 10

What I heard most of my life growing up in a christian household is truly what christians think....I used to be told that one day there would be a "holy war" and we would have to defend ourselves and our religion. I'm being totally serious. Every church I went to in my youth encouraged people to own a gun so they could defend themselves in this "holy war".

P.S. I am a rare liberal who has no problems with responsible gun ownership though I own no guns myself.