It’s a little-known fact that advice columnist Abigail Van Buren (born Pauline Phillips) kept a Colt Python on her night table, resting on a special scratch-proof doily. Her twin sister Ann Landers (born Eppie Lederer, for some reason) favored a Charter Arms Bulldog .44, which she sold after David Berkowitz neighbor’s dog convinced him to become a serial killer. Just kidding. About the pistol-packing etiquette empresses. The dog thing is fo’ shizzle. Anyway, here’s the letter [via kansascity.com].
DEAR ABBY: My parents told me that a member of their congregation carries a licensed gun when he’s in church. He is not a law enforcement officer or a private security guard but keeps the gun on him “for protection.” When I asked what the pastor has to say about this, I was told, “He doesn’t know or can’t do anything about it.”
I suggested that Mom and Dad speak to the congregation board of directors because they are legally and financially responsible for the church. They refused, even though they are not happy about this gun issue.
My parents have a long history of complaining about things but doing nothing to resolve them. I feel that if someone needs to carry a gun at all times, I don’t want to be in his presence. If he’s the target of an assassination, the killer might shoot the wrong person. I will not set foot in the church as long as that man is there.
I’m not sure what bothers me more — that this man is packing heat or that my parents have valid concerns and won’t speak out. What do you think? — Gun-Shy in N.Y.C.
DEAR GUN-SHY: If the man has a license to carry the gun, then he is breaking no laws. You are certainly within your rights to refrain from being in his presence. If your parents were really concerned about their safety, they would either talk to the pastor or go somewhere else to worship. They have done neither, so you should let it go.
The church has been a target of violence since before Jesus walked on water. Both from govt institutions and individual actors. Many early church leaders were matyred (in the truest definition of the word). People today in other countries risk death by even reading the Bible. Here in the USA, there have been several deranged persons go into churches for a shooting spree. Yet people still think that church is all safe and lovey-dovey. It's not. A careful reading of the Bible would show that Christ warned of this fact. His followers would be persecuted. He even armed his disciples. So having armed men in church is nothing new. Having deranged pschopaths storm the church to kill Christians is nothing new either.
I guess some people are just ignorant of history.
There was no Church–until after Jesus rose from the dead. Obviously–many are ignorant of Biblical history.
WWJS?
Tell this young lady to look up Luke 22:36
"Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
NukemJim
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