In concert with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Fellowship campaign to end the proliferation of gun in our society, our session has chosen to state publicly, "No Guns in God's House."
On the surface this means that we will put up signs making it clear that we don't allow guns on our property. Your External Team has been empowered by your session to implement this signage in ways that are best for our community.
Under the surface, it seems to me that this means:
- theologically and philosophically, we have taken action to declare that our campus will be a gun free zone and that we will act to advocate for such in houses of worship.
- we will work to educate ourselves and others about the danger that the proliferation of guns causes in our society and the world.
- we will work in our legislative context of Austin to change unjust laws such as the one that gives burden of proof to houses of worship to make our campus gun free zones.
Another action taken by your session was more legal in nature. In addition to the legal notice in our church bulletin that we will not allow open carry on our campus, we have expanded the notice to concealed carry as well.
I know we have hunters in our congregation. I also know that we have members who are handgun carry license holders. None of this is a value statement on you, your choices in other contexts, or the Second Amendment as it is currently interpreted.
As your session, we simply have come to believe that God's house is not the place for guns whether visible or not.
A brief personal word: I grew up with weapons, including guns. I spent four years as a nationally certified archery instructor. The government may permit me to carry and value these weapons as a defensive means but I choose not to because my faith tells me of a different, more peaceful, way to settle disputes. While I reject the defensive (or offensive) merit of guns and lethal weapons, I am alarmed even more by the lack of seriousness most handgun carry licensing classes offer and the lack of humility they instill in too many who choose to carry them. (Ask me about my afternoon in the Kroger parking lot sometime)
So, I think it is fair to say that regardless of where one stands on the Second Amendment, something is terribly wrong with how we are treating guns in our society and our house of worship ought to be a place where people know we still try to keep guns out of the equation.
Like I've said before, even the "Old West" didn't let you keep your guns in town. Something to think about...
As you may remember, I showed you the
documentary "Trigger" a couple years ago which, in 54 minutes, tells the story of why this is important for us.
I still have that documentary in my possession and
I would like to show it to those interested on July 30 at 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor. I'll then have a discussion on August 6 about the film and our session's decision. I hope you will come.
Also in worship August 13, our liturgy will include a letter writing campaign for those interested in making their voice heard.
As always, let me know any feedback or concerns you have.
Kyle
