Monday, December 9, 2013

Packing in Church

Middle grandson's school had a Grandparents mass last Saturday evening. While his school is not in the worst of areas, it is in an area that could be described as "sketchy". It's a bad enough area that restaurants within a couple of blocks pay to have uniformed police officers on guard duty. I debated whether to leave the Airweight in the car while we went to mass or to carry it into church. The decision was made for me when I found out that we would have to park on the street and walk about 200 yards to the school chapel - it went into my pocket and went to communion with me.

I'm not sure why I had this aversion to carrying in church. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Some states actually have stupid laws against such things.
Unless there are metal detectors, I'd carry!
But, that's me.

gfa

Peripatetic Engineer said...

Well, I did a back check on the state laws and it appears that carrying is prohibited in churches, synagogues and mosques. Given a similar circumstance where I have to park on the street and there is no protection to get to the church, I will take my chances and carry.

Bob S. said...

I think there has been a strong conditioning against violence; even protectionary violence in the church that many people are reluctant.

Even the name given to most assemble halls -'Sanctuary' -- reinforces that; it is supposed to be a place of safety.

Texas used to prohibit carry in churches but 4 years ago changed the law to make churches post 30.06 signs like anyone else wanting to prohibit it.

I had to work though some of the same thoughts and concerns you might be going through.
Am I obedient to scripture if I carry in Church? Am I following Jesus or do I not trust Him to keep me safe?

For me I came to the conclusion I'm would give my life to those persecuting me for my faith; that isn't the most probable situation I'll be facing.

The most likely issue will be criminal assault or robbery -- and nothing in Scripture says I shouldn't be ready to stop that. Either a crime on the way there/on the way home at a stop or someone deciding to make headlines by racking up a body count.



Old NFO said...

Situation dependent... If I were in that same situation, I'd carry too....