Troubling

I'm all for gun ownership rights and you'll find it difficult to locate anything on this blog that would disagree with the premise but this... is a bit much frankly:

A pastor in the US state of Kentucky told his flock to bring handguns to church in what he said was an effort to promote safe gun ownership.

Pastor Ken Pagano told parishioners to bring their unloaded guns to New Bethel Church in Louisville for a service celebrating the right to bear arms.

He said he acted after church members voiced fears the Obama administration could tighten gun control laws.

When the service began, some 200 people were present, AP news agency said.

"We are wanting to send a message that there are legal, civil, intelligent and law-abiding citizens who also own guns," Mr Pagano told the congregation.

"If it were not for a deep-seated belief in the right to bear arms, this country would not be here today," he said.

Here's the deal from my perspective... I really don't think it to be appropriate to use a church service to promote or affirm a particular issue... think homsexual rights as an example... given that context, I just think this is a bit over the top...

Would love to hear the thoughts of others however so please chime in by leaving a comment.

H/T to Felix Hominum who I noticed decided, for the moment, to not weigh in on the issue... c'mon Joe... weigh in...

Heh...

Comments

[Mommynator]

This is very troubling.

Instead of preaching the gospel and helping form peoples' consciences and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit of God, he's spouting what he wants to believe.

He should stick to preaching the gospel. Peoples' consciences can take it from there.

[tim aka The Godless Heathen]

At what point does church separate from the state? Is the pastor and his parishioners not citizens too, should they not celebrate their rights to bear arms any less than, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

The founding fathers certainly were not shy about the role of god in their lives and subsequently in the forming of this great land. Did they cross a line? Please consider who’s asking the question, a heathen mind you.

The pastor was not injecting his thoughts per se or promoting a cause in his church, he was merely standing for a constitutional right we enjoy. Yes you Liberals, if a parish wanted to celebrate killing unborn children, oh sorry abortion, that would be OK too. (Leaving out offending any parishioners, obviously the pastor preaches to his choir so to speak).

I listened to the pastor being interviewed yesterday on FOX, he came off as well spoken and reasonable. It’s his church and his flock so who am I to say if it’s wrong or for that matter if it’s right.

BTW, he said he told those who weren’t concealing that it had to be unloaded ( I believe it’s called ‘Cold Carry’), but anyone who was concealing, and he said there probably were those who were, could be loaded, just as the law allows.

That church probably was the safest place to be yesterday in Kentucky or the country.

[BroKen]

Weren't me! Really. It weren't me!

But the early Methodist Peter Cartwright, I'm told, preached with two revolvers (loaded).

[Tim Chesterton]

I'm sure the pastor has no difficulty finding support for his position in the constitution of the United States. I'd be interested to hear where he finds support for his position in the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Leslie]

Alice the Camel officially endorses this Open Carry Celebration.

[joseph]

I'm thinkin', I'm thinkin...

Isaac de Rasieres, who visited Plymouth in 1627, reported how the Pilgrims began their church on Sunday: “They assemble by beat of drum, each with his musket or firelock, in front of the captain’s door; they have their cloaks on, and place themselves in order, three abreast, and are led by a sergeant without beat of drum. Behind comes the governor, in a long robe; beside him on the right hand, comes the preacher with his cloak on, and on the left hand, the captain with his side-arms and cloak on, and with a small cane in his hand; and so they march in good order, and each sets his arms down near him.” During the early years of Plymouth, failing to bring your gun to church was an offense for which you could be fined 12 pence.

[chuck aka XtnYoda]

It was reported to me Saturday that some insurance companies are starting to require churches to have armed guards during services or they will start raising the liability insurance premiums on those churches.

This came from a man whose career has been spent in law enforcement and is now a county court guard. He heard the information in court.

If so, this should make it interesting in days ahead.