Should a Christian own/carry a loaded gun?

1. 83

   ii3rittlesposted 11 years ago

   Should a Christian own/carry a loaded gun?
   
   I ask because the bible teaches us to trust in God for protection and safety, isn't owning a gun like saying you don't? More over, I don't thing God likes guns to begin with.
   
   First thing I think of is what would Jesus do? - He certainly wouldn't own a gun. He taught to turn the other cheek is someone strikes you.

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   Ian Dabasori Hetrposted 11 years ago

   Its not good and bad at the same time depending on the place you live

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   blessedpposted 11 years ago

   Good question and I agree with your views with an exception though.  That is if their jobs require them to carry one.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      and if you believe that and  they believe that WHY would they have such a job so to make them hypocrites

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      Jack Burtonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      If carrying a gun is a moral sin, and you feel that others whose "job" it is to carry one should somehow protect you in the time of need you are asking others to shoulder a "moral sin" because you refuse to. There is a word and concept for that

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   WillStarrposted 11 years ago

   Suppose you saw a strange man with a knife entering your child's bedroom late at night, and a gun is available, close at hand. Would you use that gun to protect your child? Do you think Jesus would want you to let your child die?
   
   Peter was always armed when he was Jesus' disciple. Why didn't Jesus disarm Peter?
   
   I think He wants us to use common sense, and defend ourselves if necessary.

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      ii3rittlesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I know people use this reasoning and I understand it, but at the same time there are other ways to protect your children - alarm systems being one.

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      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In an ideal world. I am not advocating gun ownership, especially irresponsible gun ownership or violence but I think we need to use some sense.

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      ercramer36posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good point.  Jesus even told Peter to go and buy a sword. As a husband and father, if you enter my house without my permission you will meet my gun.  I heard of a sign that says "I believe in God and guns, if you break in you will meet both."

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Brittles:
      
      An alarm system is not a force field and there are ways to disable it. I love your heart, and as always, you are coming from a good place, but if you were my wife or daughter, I know God would want me to defend your life, with my all.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      there are a lot of dead people that thought like you.   Criminals have no qualms about killing you if you get in their way.  an alarm system is no defense at all.

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      Jack Burtonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Why would ii3rittles put his trust in "alarm systems" rather than God? And what's up with him locking his doors at night? Or his car doors. Or that fire extinguisher kept in his kitchen. All these violate his "trust in God" but he keeps doing them.

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5. 68

   ElderYoungManposted 11 years ago

   The Father is also clear that we are to take care of His temple.  I never owned a gun until we entered into this period of change, where followers of the Most High and the Messiah are hated.  There is an Apocryphal (forbidden) book of the Bible called Maccabees.  These 5 books dealt with the Greek invasion and occupation of the holy land.  Read that and I'm guessing your position about defending your person and those things holy to you will probably change a little bit.

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   SidKempposted 11 years ago

   I wouldn't say what anyone else should or shouldn't do. But I would suggest that this is a good question for any Christian to ask himself or herself. I am a pacifist; "Thou shalt not kill," "Love thine enemy," and "Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword" all seem pretty clear to me. We are called to be fishers of men, not hunters of men.
   
   So, I would suggest that the only Christian use of a gun is to protect ourselves and our families from truly dangerous wild or feral animals, like, say, rabid dogs.

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   1. 83

      ii3rittlesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's how I feel, I don't want to shoot or kill someone else. There are ways to protect your family, such as alarm systems and even owning dogs. I think God would prefer us all to use owning a gun as a last resort, if that.

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      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't want to hurt anyone either, but I think people need to be able to defend themselves within reason.

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      ithabiseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Is it not a bit simplistic (and unfair) to call people "hunters of men" because they own a gun? I can love my neighbor but use common sense, too. Even if I own a gun, I need not be "trigger happy." It really should be a last resort in a grave situati

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      Jack Burtonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I would give sid more credit if he promises that he'll demand the police leave their guns at the station house when he calls 911 in the middle of the night to investigate the sound of his downstairs window glass being broken into.

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      celafoeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      anyone trusting in an alarm system, a dog or the cops deserves what happens to them

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   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 11 years ago

   The Bible says nothing about driving a car either and most of us own one - at least in the United States. I don't think God intends for us to allow ourselves to be assaulted or worse. I think it means that we should not be quick to retaliate and leave vengeance to God. I think we are supposed to live in peace as best as possible in this fallen world, but making ourselves vulnerable or allowing someone to attack us without defending ourselves is just stupid and suicidal. God gave us a brain.

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      Gusserposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well said. God is not against violence when needed.

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      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you

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      ercramer36posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      God calls us to commonsense, not weakness.  David, described as a man after God's own heart, killed ten of thousands as a warrior.  God even likens his Word to a double edged sword.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, Ddt. Vengeance is God's, but having the wisdom to defend your family is expected. If God considers those who don't support their families to be worse than heathens, I wonder how He feels about those who refuse to protect their families?

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   Gusserposted 11 years ago

   I suppose you think a gun used for hunting is wrong too. Would Jesus use a lame argument to try to prove an invalid point?

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      ii3rittlesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I don't agree with hunting unless its for food. Hunting for sport, to me, is cruel.

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      Gusserposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Do you eat meats?

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you, Brittles. Hunting for sport is barbaric and morally wrong.

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      Jack Burtonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The African tribes who manage and preserve game animals in the protected areas thrive and survive from the money earned from "sport hunters." Without them the animals would be worthless and soon be completely slaughtered... and the people starving

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9. 66

   Cherrietgeeposted 11 years ago

   I totally get where you're coming from, but I think this is something that's up to the individual.
   
   I am a Christian, and I trust God with every aspect of my life. However, I don't trust people I don't know. When I moved out of my parents home in Texas to my own apartment, I had every intention of purchasing a handgun for my own protection. I'd heard too many stories of women waking up in the middle of the night with strange men standing over them about to sexually assault them. I didn' next want to be the next victim. The only thing that stopped me from purchasing a gun was the fact that I moved to Illinois where people didn't have the right to carry concealed weapons. I didn't think that owning a gun meant I didn't trust God; it just meant I wanted to be prepared for the worst.

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10. 61

    glmclendonposted 11 years ago

    I would think you might want to think and pray about this. What happens if you have to shoot someone? I can not say how you should run your house, but I have no fire arms in the house.

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       ercramer36posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       If I shoot someone who was not invited in my house is not on me, but the fool that is in my house.  I would only shoot if my family was threatened.

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       Jack Burtonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Yeppers, I am going to "run from my house" when the bad guy comes in and leave my wife and little children behind to experience his tender mercies. That is the appropriate "Christian" action to take. Or... maybe not.

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11. 78

    MickeySrposted 11 years ago

    "I don't thing God likes guns to begin with. First thing I think of is what would Jesus do? - He certainly wouldn't own a gun. He taught to turn the other cheek . . . "
    
    God had His people take-up weapons - they didn't have guns then but He instructed them to use the weapons (swords) that they did have. So, I'm not sure why, or how you come to, think that God doesn't like guns.
    
    And, I understand the appeal of 'what would Jesus do', but that simply doesn't work as a guideline for life - Jesus is God incarnate and came here with a very particular purpose, much of what He did was nothing any of us can or ought to do. At one point in His work when He sent the 12 to go spread the word He told them not to go to the Gentiles but only to the Jews - another time He sent them with no such restriction, He sent them once with no provisions - He sent them another time telling them to take provisions, etc. Many take these as contradictions, asserting that He said or did one thing one place and said or did something else another place - but He knew what He was doing and had a plan and purpose . . . throughout His ministry His disciples urged Him to go to Jerusalem and again and again He answered "My time has not yet come" - finally, when the authorities had determined to kill Him, He announced they were gong to Jerusalem saying "My time has come". My point; if you try to live your life, make decisions, based on 'what would Jesus do' you'll have a very confusing course before you because, Jesus had a very specific work He was accomplishing and it was nothing any of us can follow.
    
    And, because Jesus didn't carry a sword, I assume He would not (today) carry a gun - but we know at least Peter (if not many or all His disciples) carried a sword and apparently Jesus did not disapprove. He did teach that we ought to 'turn the other cheek', but not only and always - He gave very specific circumstances, not a general philosophy, as to when to 'turn the other cheek'. Remember, Jesus very directly declared "Think not that I have come to bring peace, but a sword (or today, it would be a gun)". Many today follow a 'Jesus' of their own imagination or a 'Jesus' taught in a lame Sunday School or a shallow sermon - the Jesus of the Bible is quite different from the one many folks prefer to pretend is He is.

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       MickeySrposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       The page here says my answer has been "hidden due to negative feedback"? What negative feedback? The red -2 under my answer, or had someone reported me to some authority - I see no feedback at all to my answer. Certainly we can all share our view . ?

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       ElderYoungManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Read the first and second book of Maccabees from the Apocrypha.

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Mickey, I gave you a plus, now you are batting .500. :0)
       
       I think the red minuses are considered to be "negative" feedback by Hubpages. So, if the minuses outnumber the plusses, one is often "hidden" down below.

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       MickeySrposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       . . . well, now you can at least see my answer (thanks). That strikes me as odd - in a public opinion forum to 'hide' someone's viewpoint if some disagree . . ?! Seems a goofy way to do things to me.

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    5. 58

       rockybashfulposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       After pentacost, you never find any of the apostles using a weapon. Their lives were in danger and they allowed themselves to get their butt whipped and thrown into prisons and you're trying to justify carrying weapons?
       
       You speak nonsense -.-

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    6. 78

       Jack Burtonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       In Acts 23 St. Paul was protected against a murder plot by an armed force of 200 soldiers,70 horsemen and 200 spearmen. I don't recall reading that he condemned any of the armed men for protecting him.

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12. 59

    iwriteforyouposted 11 years ago

    In the UK guns are illegal so there is only a small minority of people that will have them. I think that gun ownership is fuelled by fear i.e. I need to have a gun because someone else might have one and then I won't be able to defend myself.
    
    Where does it end ?. Do two wrongs make a right ?
    
    Religion is a highly emotive subject so the best I can offer is my opinion. Should we trust in God for our protection and safety. Yes, in terms of being a good person and having 'emotional security', however, physical safety I would say No. If I walk through a bad neighbourhood at 3 am in the morning with my money belt on the outside of my clothes i'm probably going to have a few problems that God won't help me with.
    
    Would a gun save me in that neighbourhood or would a better idea be to not to have a gun and be fast asleep in my bed in a decent area ?. Common sense is our best weapon.
    
    I don't believe any good can come from guns, they are designed to injure and kill.

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       MickeySrposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You're presenting flawed arguments and then validating your view on their premises; someone defending themselves against an attacker is not "two wrongs" - it's one wrong and one right. 3am? What about when you ARE in bed and they come into your home?

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       Jack Burtonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       If no good can come from guns iwriteforyou would be speaking German right now. along with all his fellow Britons. Would you like to send back to us the millions of guns sent to the UK in the late 1930s to give your country enough to protect itself?

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13. 0

    CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years ago

    Brittles, this is a tough question to answer, but let me preface what I am about to say by stating that I do not own a gun...nor have I ever.
    
    It is true that Peter was armed with a sword and even in the presence of Christ was not ashamed to weild it.
    
    It is also true that Christ, Himself, fashioned a whip to use against the money changers in the Temple.
    
    The Almighty told little David to pick up 5 smooth stones, though only one was needed to put down Goliath. The stone did not kill Goliath, so David used Goliath's own sword against him to finish the job. God could have killed Goliath by Himself, but He chose not to.
    
    In all these situations and circumstances, weapons were used, and in two out of three of these situations, the Lord either used a weapon or told someone else to use one.
    
    So, is it wrong? Apparently not. The use of a weapon, I believe, says nothing about one's faith in Christ and sometimes it is out of obedience that one carries one.
    
    Do you not defend yourself from starvation by eating? Do you not protect yourself from the elements by entering your home or by wearing cloths? I am sure these could be construed as being breaches of faith as well, because if one wanted to go down this road one could say, "Why feed yourself when God will do it for you. Why get out of the elements when God can make it stop raining?" This line of thinking could go on forever. :0)
    
    So, herein lies the question: why protect yourself from temporal danger, when God can do it for you? I think I have already shown that you do other things for yourself (with God assisting), so why not protect yourself as well?
    
    Hope this helps in some way. - C.J.

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    AndriyRposted 11 years ago

    By all means, a Christian shouldn't be armed. An excellent point and research of Gospel about this issue has been made by Leo Tolstoy in his book "What I Believe". It is in a public domain, and you can find it on "booksshouldbefree" (both Audio and text versions).

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       celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       so many use  scripture out of context to say what they want to -- welcome to their club

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    feenixposted 11 years ago

    Should a Christian be writing on HubPages where he/she often judges others or publishes judgemental writings?
    
    Also, I will just say that if various peope who are Christians (e.g. Christian soldiers) did not own and carry loaded guns, their lot would become extinct in no time.

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       ElderYoungManposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Well said Old Sage.  Most of us Christians don't remember what life was like before 64.  You do and I've read about it at length.  Anyone that understands what happens when financial systems break down understands that it is defending ones self and p

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    bockshinerposted 11 years ago

    Jesus' disciples had weapons so Jesus wasn't against carrying weapons.

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    cassiefranksposted 11 years ago

    The only reason for owning a gun to begin with is to protect  you  from harm, yes I understand that in the bible it says to honor god, trust in him, but  are you guaranteed that he is going to be there to protect you?  Guns  are also there to help provide food, the way that I think is that if it was made then it must have been inspired by god in order for it to be made otherwise it wouldn’t have been done, I as a Christian own one myself. I have owned one for a long time. There is nothing wrong with owning one it’s not a bad thing. They are there for a reason that’s like asking a Christian person with cancer if they should not get treatment because they trust in god. There is nothing wrong with technology if there was then god would have found a way to destroy it, but it is your choice you don’t have to own one it’s there for protection and for hunting.

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    MrMaranathaposted 11 years ago

    Jesus ordered the apostles to buy swords and carry them... Peter cut off the ear of Malchus with one of them... Jesus had to heal him... put his ear back on if you remember...
    
    There is a time to fight and stand up for what is right.. and then there is a time to lay down our arms... and accept our fate because of certain types of persecution... the difference being timing...
    
    IF its a petty robbery or rape where religion is not the object but rather, a social wrong is being perpetrated against innocent people... then it is for Christians to stand for what is right... for the Shepherds to defend the sheep. 
    
    But... When for example: IF it is the Church being invaded...  it is for the Pastor, Elders and Deacons to fight and buy time... in order that the sheep may be saved... and flee to safety.... when the flight of the sheep has been secured... or when there is no hope left in that avenue.. it is then for the rest of our fate to be turned over to the Lord... and to die as sheep at the hands of the wolves.

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    Team Wisemanposted 11 years ago

    Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52
    I think it is safe to replace sword with gun or any weapon really.
    
    Nuff said!

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       celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       talk about twisting scripture and out of context.  you got it

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       MrMaranathaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Did you forget who told them to bring the swords to begin with?  I think you need to keep the bible in context...nuffsaid.

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    celafoeposted 11 years ago

    we are not of this world but do have to live in it.    Since it is getting worse and we are responsilble for protecting that which is ours or course.    Jesus sometimes, depending on the circumstances told His people to take a sword, others not to.   so we have direction to do what is necessary,   the only time it would not be ok is if the Holy Spirit specifically tells you not to.

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You are right - St. Peter carried a sword...even in the presence of Christ Jesus, the Son of God.

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    simplegospelposted 11 years ago

    the question isn't if a christian could own a gun, God gave us animals and permission to hunt them. if your means of hunting is with a gun, then i have nothing to say. but the real question is, that you can answer for yourselve, should as a christian use a gun for taking human life. there a lot of verses in new testament about violence and so on. but while trying  to answer this remeber old testament citys for people who killed by accident and had to flee or be killed. also remeber that the slayer would be guiltless for killing him. killing would be punisble by death by accident or on purpose. so can you own a gun for the purpose of killing a human being?

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       celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       certainly as long as it is not murder.   plenty of scriptural examples
       and American Christians better get this sorted out soon because that is coming soon unless God intervenes.

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    Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

    Being a Christian and carrying a gun are not necessarily related or in conflict with each other.
    
    Soldiers, policemen, security people, hunters can all be Christians and carry guns for their own safety, the safety of others and for sport, such as hunting.
    
    If the person is carrying the gun with the idea of finding an excuse to use it, using it in an unsafe manner or to commit a crime, then that person, if he claims to be a Christian is not living up to his Christian values.
    
    Some who know my views on gun control may say my answer contradicts previous comments I have made. They do not. I think a real Christian who owns a gun will use it in a safe manner, keep it out of reach of children and would be willing to submit to background checks, safety classes, etc.

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    LoisRyan13903posted 11 years ago

    I'm a christian and I carried a weapon when I was in the Army.

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    Jesus1stposted 10 years ago

    God surely does teach us to trust Him and He will protect us. From my own experiences I know that He keeps His Word to the letter.
    
    However, you must know the content of what allows God to intervene on your behalf. It is not arbitrarily done. The protection is for those who keep His Word, who worship Him in Spirit, and in truth, who confess that Jesus is Lord, who hold close to the commandments as is humanly possible, and those who are willing to forgive and repent of their sins, daily.
    
    You see, just as we have to follow man's rules to stay out of problems, we have to follow God's rules for Him to protect, and guide us through all the rough places that are placed in front of us by our enemy, the devil!
    
    Just because you were born on this earth does not put you in a place of the elite with God. Only if you do His will, and follow the Word are you put in a place of protection.
    
    So many believers miss the point of obedience till it's pathetic.
    
    There is no place in the Bible that tells us that we cannot protect ourselves. Yes, Jesus does say to turn the other cheek, but He doesn't say what to do after that, does He?
    
    In many scriptures the Bible teaches us about spiritual warfare. See these scriptures; Isaiah 54:17; Psalm 91; Ephesians 6:10-18; and James 4:7 are but a few scriptures that give us the command to protect ourselves, no-matter how we do it.
    
    The most intense battle that we face though, is our spiritual battles. These are what leads mankind to destruction if you don't know who, or why, you are doing battle in the first place. 
    
    About the gun. God does tell us how protect ourselves. If it's by a gun, then so be it!

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    Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years ago

    Unless God has given you the ability to bounce bullets off your body, and someone slapping you experiences so much pain turning the other cheek would make that person run screaming, I strongly suggest you invest in a gun if you live in a violent, crime-infested area.

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