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Title: Jesus and the NRA
Source:
Lew Rockwell
URL Source: https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/11 ... squito/jesus-wouldnt-join-nra/
Published: Nov 5, 2015
Author: bionic mosquito
Post Date: 2015-11-05 07:31:35 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 1457
Comments: 9
This one is rich: Jesus wouldn’t join the NRA, by Abigail Disney. The entire commentary belongs in the realm of other Disney scripts – perhaps a new chapter for Alice in Wonderland.
Right now, white evangelical Protestants are the group most likely to oppose stricter gun- control laws. They stand out as one of the few constituencies where a strong pro-life identity is tied to attitudes against any restrictions on gun ownership. Evangelicals are also one of the strongest constituencies of support for the National Rifle Association.
I think criminals are “the group most likely to oppose stricter gun-control laws”…well, actually, they will just ignore them.
But back to the question that allows one to pretend there is some deep philosophical and moral thinking behind it: What would Jesus do? One more time we are subject to ignorant speculation on Jesus’ views on some question of the day.
As recently as the Korean War in the early 1950s and the Vietnam War in the 1960s, many evangelicals said they were pacifists and registered as conscientious objectors.
Because, you know, there is no difference between self-defense and the murder of others who never posed a risk to you.
Abigail found a know-nothing-about-the-Bible minister based in Washington, Rob Schenck, who “has begun asking whether pro-life Christians can also be pro-gun. In doing so, Schenck finds himself increasingly alone — way out on a political limb.”
This will take a little more unpacking. Of course, self-defense does not mean the same thing as murder.
But what is this “pro-life Christian” nonsense. Christians have been voting for pro-death politicians ever since there was such a thing as a so-called Christian vote. Pro-death for foreign interventionism; pro-death for unborn babies; pro-death as criminal punishment.
Who is Rob Schenck?
Robert Lenard “Rob” Schenck (pronounced SHANK; born 1958) is a leading American Evangelical reverend to elected and appointed officials in Washington, DC. Serving as President of the Christian outreach ministry Faith and Action, Schenck is an ordained minister of the Evangelical Church Alliance and was elected its chairman in July 2012.
And what is “Faith and Action”?
Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital is a Christian outreach organization ministering to top-level government officials. The organizational headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. across the street from the east façade of the United States Supreme Court.
Finally, the “Evangelical Church Alliance”?
The ECA International is an alliance of ministers serving throughout the world. The ministries of ECA members include, but are not limited to pastors, teachers, para church leaders, church executives, missionaries, evangelists, speakers, youth ministers, professors, military chaplains, and fire, industrial, hospice, police, and prison chaplains.
Whatever Schenck is, I know what this minister-on-the-doorstep-of-Washington is not: he most certainly is not “…way out on a political limb.” It would be a career-ending move.
But back to recruiting Jesus for the cause: it is with this pro-death group of Evangelical Christians where Abigail finds some hope – a swing vote to ensure universal background checks for gun buyers:
If even a small percentage of those who claim a dynamic association with the life and teaching of the Jesus Christ who gave us the Sermon on the Mount start talking about the contradictory language and ethics of evangelicals and the NRA, a powerful shift could occur.
Christians in the United States living in accord with the Sermon on the Mount? Don’t make me laugh. Yet even if they do live in accord with this creed, what does it have to do with Jesus and self-defense or gun registration?
Now for some libel (for Abigail) and slander (for Rob):
“I’m concerned about the NRA promoting the idea that the best way to solve the most vexing problems in our society is to be prepared to shoot people dead,” Schenck said at a meeting of the Evangelical Church Alliance.
Look, I know that the NRA is not the staunchest supporter of unfettered gun rights, but still…does the NRA suggest that shooting people dead is the best way to solve society’s most vexing problems? Really?
Finally, I know you will be surprised to find a Christian minister ignorant of the Bible that he preaches:
As Schenck demonstrates in the film, if evangelicals can come together in open dialogue, fully informed by the Bible in which they believe, many might well conclude that the logic of unfettered gun rights is incompatible with a life dedicated to following the example of the Prince of Peace.
Many might conclude this, but not the aforementioned “Prince of Peace”:
John 18: 1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Is it possible Jesus didn’t know that Peter carried a sword? Not much of a Son of God if true. Did Jesus ask Peter if the sword was registered with the Roman guard? No. Did He ask Peter to throw the sword into a river? No; he said put it away.
Peter’s “sword rights” were both “unfettered” and otherwise unquestioned by Jesus. Jesus’ recognized that a means of defense is necessary. He stopped Peter because He knew that this time was not the time for the sword; His Father had a specific purpose in mind.
Abigail makes so many mistakes in one compact package: Christians aren’t pro-life, that’s one mistake. Jesus wasn’t for his disciples to walk around like chickens for plucking, that’s a second mistake. Self-defense isn’t the same as murder, that’s three mistakes.
Yet there is more. Abigail’s biggest mistake: assuming that a Christian minister who makes his living bowing to the biggest murderers on the planet knows anything about (or would actually preach anything from) the Bible.
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You might be surprised at just how many photos of Jesus with a firearm are out there. : )
#2. To: Deckard (#0)
But what is this “pro-life Christian” nonsense. Christians have been voting for pro-death politicians ever since there was such a thing as a so-called Christian vote. Pro-death for foreign interventionism; pro-death for unborn babies; pro-death as criminal punishment.
Can you tell me why this paragraph was written by a moron?
#3. To: Deckard (#0)
Gross-Out of the Week: Lew Rockwell & Cindy Sheehan Knock Knees
I've known for some time now that the so-called paleo-conservatives are in bed with the far left. However, I had no idea how extensive the problem has become.
It came out this week that Lew Rockwell, the political schizophrenic who runs lewrockwell.com, has been knocking knees with peace activist Cindy Sheehan.
Rockwell was once a respected voice in the conservative community, regularly interviewed on conservative talk radio. He also regularly wrote political opinion pieces that were published in the main stream media. Then he went weird on us, just after 9/11 happened. He morphed into a peacenik and buddy of the far left. His political positions slid rapidly leftward. He stopped being interviewed on conservative talk radio and I haven't seen any articles from him in several years.
I actually met Lew Rockwell once, and sat next to him at dinner at a meeting in San Mateo of the John Randolph Society. This was ten years ago or more. I noticed then that he was a vegetarian and I kidded him about whether he actually was a conservative, based on his choice of vittles. I thought I was kidding, but I must have been on to something.
This past week it came out that Lew and Cindy have been doing the horizontal polka. They met in an internet chat room and learned there is no more powerful an aphrodisiac than a shared hatred of America.
Their first meeting and conversation outside of Crawford, Texas was picked up by a concealed microphone worn by an FBI agent posing as a pizza delivery boy. Here is the transcript of that recording. Warning: not for the squeamish.
Cindy: I hate America and Bush is Hitler!
Lew: Bush is WAY Hitler! Oh yeah! Cindy, you are SO PROFOUND!
Cindy: Terrorists are freedom fighters! Americans are Nazis!
Lew: Hezbollah good! Israel bad! Weakness is strength! Love is hate!
Cindy: Good is Evil! Evil is Good! Black is white! Up is down!
Lew: Free marijuana for everyone!
Cindy: Free abortions on demand! No, MANDATORY abortions for white people!
Lew: Oh baby....you're getting me hot!
Cindy: Oh Lew, you magnificent stud muffin!
Lew & Cindy: Suckface, suckface, frenzied grabbing, pant, pant, unzip, unbutton, moan! Yeah, yeah, obaby obaby! UNNNNGGHH!
If y'all want to talk to Lew and Cindy, you can find them down at the Squeaky Springs Motel, just outside of Crawford, Texas.
Obama has played at being a president while enjoying the perks … golf, insanely expensive vacations at tax-payer expense. He has ignored the responsibilities of the job; no plans, no budgets, no alternatives … just finger pointing; making him a complete failure as a president
#4. To: A K A Stone (#2)
The only one I disagree with is "pro death for unborn babies".
The rest of his analysis is spot on. Of course, there are some who call themselves "Christians" who support abortion, Nancy Pelosi comes to mind.
Pro-death for foreign interventionism...
Yep - the "warvangelicals" are some of the biggest supporters of foreign interventionism, and frankly they are some of the strongest advocates for the police state in America.
As far as the death penalty - I'd bet that the majority of Christians are in favor of that as well.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
In a Cop Culture, the Bill of Rights Doesn’t Amount to Much
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts#5. To: Deckard (#0)
"10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear."
To the music of Stuck in the Middle With You by Stealers Wheel.
#6. To: Deckard (#0)
“I’m concerned about the NRA promoting the idea that the best way to solve the most vexing problems in our society is to be prepared to shoot people dead,” Schenck said at a meeting of the Evangelical Church Alliance.
I'm concerned that there are so many pussys like you who think that way.
#7. To: rlk (#6)
“I’m concerned about the NRA promoting the idea that the best way to solve the most vexing problems in our society is to be prepared to shoot people dead,” Schenck said at a meeting of the Evangelical Church Alliance.I'm concerned that there are so many pussys like you who think that way
I posted the article.
I don't align myself with any of the views that emanate from the deluded mind of this gun-grabbing prick.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
In a Cop Culture, the Bill of Rights Doesn’t Amount to Much
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts#8. To: Deckard (#4)
As far as the death penalty - I'd bet that the majority of Christians are in favor of that as well.
Is it unchristian to be for the death penalty?
#9. To: A K A Stone (#8)
Let's deal with the first premise, Jesus would not join the IRA. I think it is obvious Jesus walked an non violent path and had no need of guns. I don't think he was overly impressed when Peter was armed in the garden. The NRA is an organisation that promotes violence under the guise of self protection and would be diametrically opposed to the principles of Jesus. We have to remember, It is not by might, nor by power. I also see no indication Jesus joined the organisations of his time; pharassees, zealots
The death penalty is a byblical standard of judgement, certainly in the old testament and for that reason most Christians would endorse it. There are some people in this world who cannot be allowed to live in our society and it is surely not humane to allow them to live out useless lives. These are people who are unrepentant and will reoffend. Rapists, pedophiles, seriel killers, psychopaths, sociopaths, meglomaniacs and it is very obvious custodial sentences are often too short
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