"Why do you need that thing in church?"

[bdickens]

God's plan for my life does not include martyrdom at this time.

[Groundhog]

Near as I understand it, martyrdom is not typically a voluntary thing in Christianity. I could be wrong. I just don't recall ever reading anywhere that you were supposed to seek it out. If you struggle with a dilemma in this area, I would (if it were me) make sure I could clearly define what martyrdom meant in the Christian context. I've not heard of too many people that were not given ample warning about the consequences of practicing their faith. In other words, you probably would have a good idea it's coming and it would not be a case of "self defense". At least not in most cases.

[marksiwel]

Near as I understand it, martyrdom is not typically a voluntary thing in Christianity. I could be wrong. I just don't recall ever reading anywhere that you were supposed to seek it out. If you struggle with a dilemma in this area, I would (if it were me) make sure I could clearly define what martyrdom meant in the Christian context. I've not heard of too many people that were not given ample warning about the consequences of practicing their faith. In other words, you probably would have a good idea it's coming and it would not be a case of "self defense". At least not in most cases.

St. Stephen was stoned to death for his faith.
But, I think we should steer clear of this discussion, or I see the MODS cracking skulls

[jmra]

God's plan for my life does not include martyrdom at this time.

[carlson1]

A good article on Church Security.
http://www.carlchinn.com/Church_Crime_History.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bdickens]

I'm supposed to emulate the lives of Jesus and the various saints, not their deaths.

[marksiwel]

I'm supposed to emulate the lives of Jesus and the various saints, not their deaths.

More people need that attitude.

[CompVest]

Pertaining to the thread topic:

You need a gun in church just as you do where ever you are. BGs there are and they are every where or any where.

[frazzled]

A good article on Church Security.
http://www.carlchinn.com/Church_Crime_History.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

WO.

[Barron76]

Because of tradgedy's like this:

"Seven people were killed Wednesday night when a 47-year-old Texas man opened fire during a prayer service for teen-agers at the Wedgewood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Tx. "

--Posted September 16, 1999, 7:55pm EDT

I live 15 miles from there, and I never go to church unarmed...

My thoughts exactly... I live 10 minutes from that church & pass it several times a week and always remember the innocent people who lost their lives that night. I have "that thing" in church (and just about everywhere else I go) so that a tragedy like this never happens again, at least not while I'm there.

[joe817]

A good article on Church Security.
http://www.carlchinn.com/Church_Crime_History.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you for posting that link carlson1. Everyone needs to read that if they ever ask themselves the question which is the title of this thread.

In fact the author pretty much explains why crime and violence in America is rampant, IMO. (and I agree with him)

[marksiwel]

A good article on Church Security.
http://www.carlchinn.com/Church_Crime_History.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you for posting that link carlson1. Everyone needs to read that if they ever ask themselves the question which is the title of this thread.

In fact the author pretty much explains why crime and violence in America is rampant, IMO. (and I agree with him)

meh, crime is down, now that all these Baby Boomers and the generation Xers are getting too old to commit crimes we are seeing a lowered crime rate


Lets see about 75 you see a jump and then again in 80 so thats your Baby Boomers, than you see a big jump in the 90s that your generation X.
Then it starts going down again, thats Generation Y.

Just kidding really the increase of Crime is directly related to Drugs, it got really bad in the 80s and 90s because of Crack/coke dealers

[wgoforth]

When you think about it, the very question of "why do you NEED that thing in church" is in and of itself the wrong question. The second ammendment is not about ~need~..... its about rights. I don't NEED a corvette to drive to church in either... but I can if I so choose.

[seamusTX]

The question is in quotation marks because it is an ironic reference to what a person who does not understand the need for armed self defense might ask someone who does.

- Jim

[wgoforth]

The question is in quotation marks because it is an ironic reference to what a person who does not understand the need for armed self defense might ask someone who does.

- Jim

I realize that. I'm saying when someone uses the word "need" that is shows they missed it to begin with, and you could ask them just as easily why they NEED a corvette, or insert their fav car in place.