Violence.
Only with gun violence do we respond to repeated tragedies by saying that mourning is acceptable but discussing how to prevent more tragedies is not.
~ Ezra Klein
Christians, instead of arming themselves with swords, extend their hands in prayer.
~ Athanasius of Alexandria (293AD – 373AD)
The third in a series on Jesus and social justice.
Truth is, I like guns. From the time I got my first BB rifle at ten years old, I have been fascinated. I own several handguns, and I enjoy target practice. For a brief time I practiced concealed carry (licensed, of course) with the goal of providing more protection for a too-unprotected public. Now, however, I am devastated by the terrible and unjust reality of living in a country with virtually no constraint on gun violence and dim prospects for slowing the epidemic of mass shootings. Could this possibly be what Jesus wants for our world?
Just a few weeks ago, my six-year-old grandson Briar was sent home early from his elementary school… because of a weapons threat. The tiny rural village of Cove Creek just outside Boone, NC has always felt like one of the safest places on the planet. Until now. If there’s anything we’ve learned about gun violence in America, there is no safe place. There are crazy people everywhere, and they have easy access to weapons of “mass destruction.” Is this okay for Christians? Is this okay for anyone?
I realize that in bringing up this topic, it feels immediately political, and as I mentioned in last week’s post, matters of justice are all eventually political, but long before that, they are spiritual and ethical. As followers of Christ, we should all be looking to the person and message of Jesus first to inform out perspectives and action toward a more just and loving community.
Let’s consider our reality: A 2016 study found that between 1966 and 2012, 31% of global mass shootings occurred in the United States even though we only have 5% of the world’s population. More than 43 million guns are estimated to have been purchased in the US in 2020 and 2021 alone. More Americans died of gun-related injuries in 2021 than in any other year on record. And there have been more mass shootings than days so far this year—565 as of last month. If this isn’t disturbing in the extreme, then you don’t have a pulse. But what does this have to do with justice and Jesus?
Let’s look at the most obvious elements: First, to use an instrument designed for sport or food against another human being is a violation of the image of God seeded in that person. To injure creation at all is an injustice against the Creator; how much more to damage or destroy the apex of creation. Second, gun violence is disproportionally perpetrated against the poor and marginalized in America, particularly people of color by factor of ten. Third, if you own a firearm yourself, then you know how ridiculously easy it is to purchase.
This may be the point at which we’re reminded that the Second Amendment to the US Constitution provides “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,” and I support that right. That right, however, is so powerful and so prone to misuse with devastating consequence that it bears restraint and vigilance, which it is not receiving.
At what point do we yield some of our so-called “rights” when they are wrecking havoc in our world? “Greater love has no one than this…” than to fight for your own privilege at the expense of the community? I don’t think so. No, great love is shown by sacrificing personal privilege for the good of others. At least Jesus thought so. I don’t see any way to reconcile unconstrained gun rights with the Sermon on the Mount, do you?
This particular brand of American injustice has gotten extremely personal for some: Just ask the family and friends of the 18 killed and 13 wounded at the Schemengees Bar in Lewiston, Maine last month. And in a far-lesser way, it’s gotten personal for me: My daughter is moving her family (and our grandson) to live in The Netherlands by the end of this year, a place where gun violence is virtually unknown.
What will it take for Christians to actually become known for championing the non-violent ethic of Jesus? I honestly don’t know.
growing the soul
Where do you sense the invitation of Christ around this topic, and what would that look like in your journey right now?
serving the world
How do you think the church should be influencing American society around this topic… and how could we do that better?
takeaway
Constraint.