Why are christian americans generally pro-gun and pro-war?

Question

I am not talking about being an advocate for the right to bear arms., but rather general facination with guns and things that kill.

Maybe you need to live in Texas to see where I am coming from. Also, I do say generally, but I stand on my statement that most americans christians generally are pro-gun and pro-war. People think war is like a football game and there is a winner and a loser. War is a lose-lose situation for everyone.

Answer 1

What does religion have to do with this question?

Answer 2

I'm a recently born again Christian and a Texan.

Why am I pro gun? Easy:
1. The Constitution
2. Armed citizens freed this country from British rule
3. The 2nd Amendment protects the other amendments
4. They're fun to shoot
5. Best way on the planet to protect yourself(I defy you to show me a better self defense tool then a firearm AND proper training)
6. I'm not scared of guns(it is an inanimate object)
7. The leader of Japan during WW2 stated that it would be impossible to invade the US b/c "there would be a rifle behind every blade of grass"
I could go on forever...

Now, why am I pro war:
1. We were attacked on 9/11
2. As for Iraq, my greatest fear is a unified middle east under Iranian control with nuclear technology. They do want to kill us for being "infidels" after all. Pulling out of Iraq, worst case scenario leaves it wide open for Iran to control, heck, they already supply weapons to the insurgents. Best case scenario, pulling out early would lead to a "38th parallel" type situation.

And let's not forget that a war allowed not only Texas to belong to the US, but the US to exist period.

EDIT: namsaev, you get a big "thumbs up" from me!

2nd EDIT to the original poster: War is lose-lose huh? Yeah, that's why all of Europe isn't speaking German, and why we're not the United States of ENGLAND. Ask Holocaust survivors if the US should have just sat it out. Stop being a sheep, use your brain, and learn some history.

Answer 3

I'm not pro-war however, I am pro having a strong defense. As far as guns go,.. No fascination at all. I'm legally armed, have been for years and would only shoot at another human being in a situation that warranted self defense.

Might I ask what in the world this has to do with being a Christian?

Answer 4

While I am not a Christian, I was raised as a catholic.
I am Pro-gun, Pro-America, and Pro-Freedom.

I think the whole issue you are referring to comes from the biblical teachings about (paraphrased) "All these things are for Your (Man's) use."
Speaking about all worldly things....Plants, Animals, Minerals, Etc.

Or, to put it more distinctly... "God" put these things here for Our use....

I also think that most people who live (More) among/around nature....like those who live in the rural parts of the country....see the world, more like it really is...(IE: Food doesn't really come pre-packaged in cardboard, plastic, or on a foam tray....And they take it upon themselves to be able to provide for their families, and themselves.

To do this, and to do this well...As with any job......one must have good tools.

Guns are just tools. Nothing more.
Some people want the best tools......some will settle for less.

I'm a tool guy.

T.S.

Answer 5

It's not that they are so pro-gun and pro-war. It's because unlike you they know enough about history to know if it weren't for guns and war there would be a good possibility there would be no USofA. We'd still be part of the British Empire.

It's ding-a-lings like you who believe that everyone can just sit around a campfire and sing Cuum-Va-Ya and the stars will align and we will enter the age of Aquarius.

Answer 6

I think that's a generalization. I don't think that all the gun nuts and all the pro-war nuts are christian, as in Catholic. Do you mean Christian as in all the different Christian religions, including Calvinism, Lutherism, presbeterian, etc, like everything except let's say Muslim, Christian Science and judiasm, then maybe you are right. As that covers most of the people in the US.

Answer 7

I don't see the conflict with Christians being pro-gun. A gun is just a tool. It can kill, and it can save lives.

Being pro-war is a different matter. War is sometimes necessary (for example, when a country is attacked), but it is NEVER desirable.

Answer 8

While you do stereotype here, I think there is some truth to what you say. Although many Americans who call themself Christians are against the war (and favor rational gun control), the ones who are loudest (and who get the most press coverage) are those who favor the war and oppose gun control. The media is partly to blame for this.

But why do THOSE Christians feel the way they do? I think it is because they are Old Testament Christians--those who focus on the Mosaic portions of the Bible and pay less attention to the love, peace, and charity promoted by Jesus in the New Testament. Why do they do it? I don't know.

Answer 9

Christians tend to be attracted to the conservative side of the political spectrum, which, for reasons not associated with christianity, also tends to be in favor of strong defense and the right to bear arms.

I understand you're not really interested in that explanation.

Christianity is very focused on death, as are many religions, and a fascination with the means of death might be expected from some of the less stable members. But, many christians abhor killing, taking the 10 commandments rather seriously on that point. And neither of those phenomenons are unique to American christians.

So I think the political association of christianity with conservatism over the last couple decades is the more likely reason.

Answer 10

I consider myself a Christian as do many of my friends. I see none of them being pro war just when we have to defend our culture and lives we need to respond with force as in today's War on Terror. We are pro-gun but not fascinated with them in fact most of us do not have any just we believe that if we desired we should have the right to bear them. You need to re-look at who you are talking about, its the radical islamist who are fascinated with killing.

Answer 11

Guns are for killing animals, not people. The animals are here for human to do with as they please. It's in the bible. Christians are not fascinated with wars. Nobody likes to go to war, and least nobody I know. Sometimes you have to fight to protect what's yours.