Monday School: Would Jesus Pack Heat?

Welcome back to Monday School!

Todays class is going to talk about a subject that is still a hot topic due to the event’s that occurred last Friday, that being the shooting in Aurora, Colorado. As the shooter makes his first court appearance, I can’t help but think what the so called members of the ‘pro-life’ movement think about what happened last Friday. Are they upset by this senseless loss of life? Would they support gun control if it would save lives by making military grade assault weapons and extended clips unavailable to people who try to legally purchase them?

This brings us to the theme of todays lesson: What do you think would be Jesus’ views on gun control? Would J.C. be packing heat?

Contrary to what the above picture might have you believe, its clear to many people who have read up on the dude that Jesus was very much against the use of violence. His pacifism is most clear if you look at his Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus says:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:39-44)

If that’s not enough, here’s a quote to his idea of people taking up arms against authority:

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52)

Based on this comment, it’s clear to see that Jesus rejected any kind of violent confrontation with the Romans because it would serve no positive purpose. Asking his disciples to fight the Roman authorities would only lead to more bloodshed and the further loss of life. The fact is the Jesus many Christians claim to want to emulate was the ultimate pacifist. He would have permitted himself to be raped and robbed as surely as he permitted himself to be murdered rather than commit violence against those who meant to harm him.

Who Would Jesus Snuff?

Rather than just read more pacifist quotes from Jesus, let’s turn to a more interesting idea concerning gun control. All over the US, you’ll hear people quote the same catch phrase you can see on every piece of money that is circulated around the US: “In God we trust”.

This is supposed to be the official motto of the religious right. They place trust and ‘faith’ in God that they will be shown the way. But if all these people claim to trust God so much, why do they need all these guns?

It reminds me of a quote from Stephen Hawking: “I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.”

Basically what Stephen is saying is if there is a huge massive, magical plan made by God… why bother with seat belts, birth control or anything that might ‘interfere’ with his/her/its/their plan?

The same could be said for gun control. By arming yourself and protecting yourself from danger, are you basically making a profound statement regarding your all alleged trust and faith in God. Many people seem to not trust their own God when the buy guns, use birth control or even stop at a red light. By following this logic, they are dictating that they have no faith that God will protect them and would rather take matters into their own hands rather than let God step in and take care of things for them as per his/her/its/their plan.

I’m sure there are many bible thumpers out there that will respond with their own quotes that make it clear that God says it’s perfectly find to defend yourself or kill people despite it being against a specific commandment. This kind of contradiction is exactly why God and the Bible specifically is the last place anyone should turn when looking for moral guidance.

It’s just ironic and sad that most people who claim to be pro-life are the same people who want to keep their rights to bear arms despite the fact that it’s being abused to the extreme and innocent people are being gunned down by loons who had no problem legally purchasing their military grade weapons because of their right to bear these arms.

If someone claims to be pro-life, by the same standard they should be anti-gun, anti-landmine… basically anti-violence. The fact that many Christians have no problem being both pro-life and pro-gun at the same time is just another example of Christian hypocrisy at its finest. Just another of numerous contradictions from those who claim to have faith.

I don’t need no stinkin’ guns!

Jesus himself in countless examples stands out as a pacifist, a man who refuses to commit any violent acts. Based on the stories that people of faith supposedly believe, the man was a healer, not a fighter… so if he refused to carry a sword, I don’t think it’s would be much of a stretch to think he would refuse to pack heat. Jesus would definitely be against guns so why aren’t his followers?

If you have an answer to that one, I’d be happy to hear it.

Peter