How do American Christians reconcile being gun carrying Christians?

1. 66

   maddotposted 11 years ago

   How do American Christians reconcile being  gun carrying Christians?
   
   Correct me if I'm wrong (and i'm sure some will) but didn't Jesus say "turn the other cheek."
   I don't recall Jesus carrying any weapons but I do recall him being passive when arrested.  At his crucifiction He called on his Father to forgive them (the ones who were threatened by his beliefs who saw no other way other than to bully and kill). I thought Christians were trying to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

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2. 57

   Marcus99posted 11 years ago

   Well, that all depends....are we talking about Jesus from the South? Jesus from the MidWest? You know, Jesus in South America doesn't even own an Armalite. Can you imagine that? Gosh!

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3. 60

   Brandi Cooperposted 11 years ago

   Christians who are leading Christian lives and whose goal is to present a Christ-like attitude toward the world would indeed look to turning the other cheek and to forgiveness and compassion. But it's the politicized, ignorant, Americanized Christians who don't have an issue shaking their fist at gun control and swearing on their right to weapons of mass-violence for their "own protection".
   
   I can understand owning a gun for hunting or to defend your property, that all makes sense. But the violent nature that so many gun-carrying Christians portray can be hard to reconcile with what you're taught Christians are supposed to represent (that is, Christ's compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, and love for all people). But then, Christians are often some of the most bigoted, so it can be hard to reconcile their actions on any level even outside of gun control. I think the notion of the Christ-like Christian has been lost and overshadowed by the hellfire-brimstone-only-accept-people-like-us Christians. You can probably trace origins of that back to the foundation of the Catholic Church (and later the Anglican and then its various spin-offs until you get to modern-day Protestants) and their attempts to control and manipulate the people in order to gain more money/property, etc.
   
   But short-term, short-scope answer is just that our society doesn't really look at Christ-like attitudes as worth-while for the most part. "Nice guys finish last" is a phrase that proves that, as is the fact that most of our news centers around the bad stuff, not the good.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      and this ANSWER is totally NON SCRIPTURAL

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4. 78

   Kathleen Cochranposted 11 years ago

   The same way most people rationalize doing what they want to do instead of what they ought to do.

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5. 61

   wbfreeposted 11 years ago

   If you're not a Christian you don't have any idea how to discern or keep scripture in context. Even some supposed Christian don't put scripture in context either. It's all about keeping what Jesus said in it's correct context.
   
   Jesus' sermon on the mount was given to his people who were brethren. Yes, there are situations when one should turn the other cheek. However, he said to turn the other cheek. He didn't say let them kill you.
   
   Yes, he came to give his life the first time( for our salvation), but when he comes back (soon) he will use a two-edge sword and destroy the wicked.
   
   Scripture says, Jesus told his disciples not to carry a sword when they went among their own brethren in traveling and preaching the gospel. However, afterwards Jesus told them to sell what they have and to buy a sword (for their own physical protection) when they were sent to all other nations to preach the gospel; because they were going to be traveling among gentile nations where they may come across robbers, and other criminals. 
   
   The right to bear weapons (guns, or whatever) to protect ourselves and our families is a right from God Almighty to every last one of us The government didn't give that right so they can't take it away. .

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6. 75

   Li Galoposted 11 years ago

   This is a a lack of understanding scripture.  I agree with wbfree, who covered those points pretty well. 
   
   Think of it this way.  Most people would agree that killing is wrong.  Most people would agree that self-defense is acceptable.  You don't bring a knife to a gun fight.  So, when a country defends itself from attack (such as the nation's response to 9-11), then we do so with equal or stronger force than the attacker.  Were someone to attack you physically with a billy club and you turn the other cheek, you're just going to end up dead.  No, it's okay to use arms to (a) hunt and (b) defend yourself.  You can show the Christ-like grace to forgive your attacker in the future while protecting yourself in the present.

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7. 60

   Little Grandmommyposted 11 years ago

   Christians were involved in battles all through the Bible, especially in the old testament, and they carried weapons.  I believe you have to hold this to the individual.  What is the reason this person is carrying a weapon?  Is it for self-defense, because they are soldiers and it's their job or are they planning to do something evil and wrong?  Maybe they have guns to hunt and feed their families, like most of the men in my family and extended family.  We put deer, rabbit, etc. in the freezer every year for food.

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8. 0

   Thoushallnotkillposted 10 years ago

   Scriptures are better left to those genuinely  ordained and who  use them for good intentions.  Even evil men and women twist and  use scriptures to justify their blacken hearts.   When I want to hear  scriptures in their true  context, I attend mass.  If you feel that your not being a true christian by carrying a gun, Don't!  If you believe in the 10 commandments, especially Thou Shall Not Kill!  Don't carry a gun.  If you hunt for your food.  Don't worry that your committing a sin by owning one.  I am baptized a Christian and I attend services every Sunday, and never have I heard that we should all bare arms for any purpose.  If there is a political disagreement, we are told to sign petitions, contact our reps to try and make a change.    never "grab your gun, we have to change .this".  Example, pro abortion or death penalty, etc...Most times I feel we can't  feel the true meaning of being a Christian anymore.  We have let corruption taint our souls and it's not good.  But with that said, we all have a moment with our God in the end, don't we!  We can do our justification then!  So if it bothers you to carry a gun, by all means don't!

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