To Christian Gun Owners: Why do you disagree with the Amish position?

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The Amish have abandoned The Great Commission ... so why should I take any of their other beliefs as an example of how I as a Christian should live/act/believe?
 
Two things leap to mind when self defense as a Christian comes up.

"Judge not, lest ye be judged."
In context this means that we will be judged by the standards we set for others' behavior. We can't set a higher standard for others than ourselves and expect to get away with it. By that logic, if I would not expect someone else to submit to evil, I am not bound to that expectation either.

"Love others as you love yourself."
Someone willing to kill others unjustly is a rabid dog and must be put down. Not with hatred or cruelty, but swiftness and compassion. I must think also of those that love me and the troubles they would experience if I were to submit to evil.
 
Yes, I disagree. God blessed man with the ingenuity to create effective weapons, and he blessed me with the inclination to protect myself and my loved ones, and with the ability to get a paycheck so I can afford weaponry. He did not bless me with these things so I can turn myself over to the violence and control of evil people.

I know that Christians are directed by God not to kill and to turn the other cheek. One day I may find myself asking the Father and Son for forgiveness. But I also believe that God and Son are inherently good, and by nature highly intelligent...

...so when God is watching when a crackhead decides to stab me for my wallet, I believe that God will be rooting for me and not the crackhead. :)
 
...so when God is watching when a crackhead decides to stab me for my wallet, I believe that God will be rooting for me and not the crackhead.
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I doubt he loves the crackhead any less than you.
 
I look at it this way. If someone is going to attack me, what are they going to do to someone who can not defend themself. I believe with have an obligation to protect those who can't protect themself and that begins with self defense.
 
Pacifist to thief who has broken into his house:

Friend, I would do thee no harm for the world, but thou standest where I'm about to shoot!

Something to that!

No, we shouldn't judge. God does that. But we can facilitate the meeting.

Something to that too!
 
I was raised Catholic and am new to Christianity
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Now in the spirit of the mod's warning I'm not sure I'm reading this comment in the way it was intended but it strikes me that this is a bit confrontational to say the least. Again, could be wrong.

My answer as an admitted non-Christian is that there are arguments aplenty in scripture to support both the Amish contention and the more popular one here.
 
Now in the spirit of the mod's warning I'm not sure I'm reading this comment in the way it was intended but it strikes me that this is a bit confrontational to say the least. Again, could be wrong.
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I read the comment and didn't sense anything ugly about it. I took it to mean "I was raised a Catholic but am new to Christianity." I have known people who were "raised Baptist" or "raised Methodist" who are new to Christianity. In other words, they were raised in the church by their parents, but never really understood until recently what it mean't. It was just going through ritual and doing what mom and dad wanted you to do. I don't think he mean't anything against Catholics.
 
The amish are free to do as they please, and no one should bother them. That said I've never quite understood why they do what they do. There is no biblical justification for not using a telephone anymore than there is a horse driven buggy. While I think their views are very shortsighted, its their right to practice what they believe without interference from anyone else in society.
 
Quite probably you are right. Gunsmith has alweays been very reasonable IMO so was probably not being inciteful here. Maybe I've been reading too many Jack Chick (who really does consider Catholics as non-Christians and hellbound) tracts lately!
 
Im not certain if anybody mentioned it yet or not, but in the Garden of Gesthemene when Christ was siezed by the guards Peter drew his sword and cut of a guards ear. If Christians are not to defend ourselves against a threat then why would Peter have had a sword and use it in the presence of Christ? And though Christ did rebuke Peter, He did so because He knew why the guards where there.
 
I read the comment and didn't sense anything ugly about it. I took it to mean "I was raised a Catholic but am new to Christianity." I have known people who were "raised Baptist" or "raised Methodist" who are new to Christianity. In other words, they were raised in the church by their parents, but never really understood until recently what it meant. It was just going through ritual and doing what mom and dad wanted you to do. I don't think he meant anything against Catholics.
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Agreed.

I was also raised Catholic. It wasn't 'til I left the Catholic church, and did a boat load of "soul searching" before I became a Christian. I have since rejoined the Catholic church.

Gunsmith might find one day that Catholicism fits him again. If not, thats fine. I've been there and can appreciate it.
 
Doug.38PR said:
Why do you disagree with the Amish position?
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The question is flawed and invalid.

I may not share the Amish position, but that doesn't mean that I disagree with it.

Do you understand the distinction? If I disagree with someone, that means I think they are wrong. A balanced and mature individual can respect a position, understand the validity of a position, and respect the sacrifice inherent in taking a position, without sharing it personally. A person who doesn't have an egocentric view of the universe can discuss and consider issues without having to proclaim agreement or disagreement with everything.
 
Glad to see there are still some people that are, in my book, true Christains. I wish all proclaimed Christains would follow the Amish in their ways of following Christ.
 
If it's time for me to die, then it's time for me to die. But if it boils down to it, I'll die defending those I love, doing whatever I can to keep them out of harm's way.
 
I am a Fundamentalist (when it comes to the bible, not political issues) Christian, and I do not agree or disagree with the Amish position. They have chosen a path which they believe honors Jesus Christ. It is not essential to salvation to choose the path they choose, therefore, it is not worth arguing over, but it is worth dialogue with the Amish for better understanding of their beliefs. I find their lifestyle appealing, but I do not believe (from prayer, fasting, meditation, etc.) that I am called to that lifestyle, my mission is here in Morgantown. I am also charged with the protection of my family, so I will arm myself to do so. Plus, shooting guns is just sooo darn fun...:D

As for self-defense, I don't know whether a Christian should fight physically against religious persecution or not. I don't think the bible really clearly addresses the issue, because Paul was imprisoned many times, beaten, stoned, etc., and he never fought back. Neither, to my knowledge, did the early Christians when they were persecuted by Rome. So the issue is hard to deal with, but I would never say that a Christian shouldn't defend others or his family.

I know that Christians are directed by God not to kill and to turn the other cheek.
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Well, we're actually directed not to murder, so there is a difference there in terminology, which affects the meaning. Also, turning the other cheek was an act of passive resistance, turn the other cheek means that the attacker would have to turn their hand the other way when striking, which was a shameful way to strike someone in the first century.
 
It is not essential to salvation to choose the path they choose, therefore, it is not worth arguing over,
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Good point. As Christians we understand that some things are "essentials". For instance, have you accepted Christ as your savior. Other things such as eating certain items are "non-essential", and therefore not worth arguing over. I personally believe that self-defense is supported by the Bible. I'm sure that this is elementary for most here, but the Bible says "Thou shall not murder". This scripture does not prohibit killing in self-defense. Here are a couple of scriptures that I believe support our right to self-defense. Christ says in Luke 11:21, "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe." (NIV). Then there is what some call "the NRA verse", In Luke 22:36 Christ states "But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip, and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." I'm sure some could argue that they interpret these verses differently, but again they are not "essential". If the Amish choose to live otherwise, that is fine with me, but just because they, like me, are a Christian, doesn't mean I feel the need to live exactly as they do.

Oh, and go for it History Prof. It might do some of us good:) .
 
If someone doesn't believe in protecting his family from harm I'll be damned if I will risk myself in their protection. Have all the beliefs you want but be prepaired to live with the concequinces of those beliefs.
 
The amish are free to do as they please, and no one should bother them. That said I've never quite understood why they do what they do. There is no biblical justification for not using a telephone anymore than there is a horse driven buggy. While I think their views are very shortsighted, its their right to practice what they believe without interference from anyone else in society.
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Their practices with regard to telephones, automobiles, etc., are not based on scripture, but on the evidence of the world around them. They see the material society as a corrupting influence, and do not choose to participate in it.
 
God has given me the gift of life; to not defend it would squander a great thing.

CR
 
Disagree with the Amish position ??????????

Hold that thought while this Blonde guy LQQKS in his King James Version of the Bible . As I LOOK , I'm polishing my Brand New Kimber 2 ..... 45 Stainless.......... 5 " ... Hmmmmmm. LOOKING at the 10 commandments . I don't see an 11th commandment that says ~ Thou shalt be STUPID ~ !!!!!
So.... if I ever have another guy that wants to jerk my car door open .. or carjack me . I'm gonna have my door UNLOCKED .. so he can COME GET YA Some of this HOT 45 lead ! :neener: :neener: :neener: :neener:
 
I'm sorry if this has already been posted

but for a change, I really don't need to read three pages of responses to know the answer to this one..The answer is self-evident.

"The Lord helps those who help themselves".

If I am the first one to say this, I am appalled...and disappointed.

And no, i'm not going to go back, read three pages and check :neener:
 
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