Shooting Practice v. Religion

[VaughnT]

I was wondering if you folks could offer some insight on how I could convince some of my coworkers to see that God isn't going to hate them if they skip church one day for some firearms practice.

The problem I am facing is that we need to practice with our weapons but a lot of my coworkers refuse to do anything that conflicts with their church schedule. Now, I'm not saying that one is more important than the other, but you would think we could find a middle ground.

For example, my club holds the IDPA comps on the second sunday of the month. They start at 0900. Two of my coworkers absolutely refuse to go, though they say they want to compete, because they have church.

Similarly, I was supposed to get some practice in today with a coworker but he has to talk with his preacher and can't make it.

I don't have a problem with church being a priority in your life. And if you're a deacon or such, you do have responsibilities in the church just like at work. What do you do, however, when someone tells you that the reason they can't practice with the weapon they have to carry all day and that might save their life is that they have choir practice or that God will see them live or die at His will?

Please, let's not turn this into a religious debate! I'm just trying to find a way to synchronize with these people and possibly show them that they can miss a day of worship if it helps keep them or their family alive. Would God forgive missing a day of church for some shooting?

 

[10-Ring]

Aren't there other services they an go to? Other clubs w/ IDPA matches at other times? Tough question since your co-workers have chosen God over guns Good luck!

 

[pax]

1 -- Choir practice is an obligation, just like work. Once committed, other people count on you to show up. Don't mess with that one.

2 -- Sunday services. Does the church offer an early service? Is the person teaching Sunday school or have other committments? If they are teaching or have other committments (eg working the nursery, signed up as greeter etc) it is an obligation, and can't be messed with. Otherwise suggest they try early service or get a sermon tape.

3 -- People aren't generally worried about God being mad at them. They are worried about other people getting upset. This is a valid concern -- church-goers can be really, really irritating on the subject and many of them are masters of the snide comment ("What, no match today...?") If you want your friends to show up at the range on a Sunday, give them some ammunition they can use against those types of comments.

4 -- If it's just practice, go on a Saturday (or Sunday if your friends are 7th-dayers). Don't make an issue of it if it doesn't have to be made an issue of.

pax

To live above with the saints I love --
Oh, that will be glory!
To live below with the saints I know --
Well, that's another story ... -- unknown

 

[David Roberson]

Sunday morning being a time for church is, well, a pretty established tradition by now. Has no one at your club figured out that there's another day during the weekend?

 

[dairycreek]

I agree with your coworkers!

Church and God first. Then shooting. That's the right order of priorties. Good shooting

 

[MJRW]

Just explain to them that Sunday sabbath is something the pope created and really has nothing to do with the bible.

 

[TallPine]

I thought shooting practice WAS a religion .... ?

 

[Matt Wallis]

Saturday (or sometimes Monday) night services if they have them? Shoot on a different day (that'd be my first choice)?

One other thing though...

Just explain to them that Sunday sabbath is something the pope created and really has nothing to do with the bible.

While there is nothing Biblical requiring you to worship on Sunday, the idea wasn't created by "the Pope". It was an early church tradition based on the idea that Jesus rose on a Sunday.

Regards,
(Pastor) Matt

 

[buzz_knox]

Since you said church, I presume you mean Christianity. If that's the case, then the question resolves around where are you storing up your treasures? If we are talking about missing one Sunday (chosen as the sabbath by Catholics and Protestants to commemorate the resurrection, which took place on the first day of the week) once in a blue moon, I suppose that's not a problem. But if it's a regular habit to skip church for shooting, then I think that shooting is the priority in one's life, and has taken the place of God.

 

[spacemanspiff]

find new friends that are heathen?

 

[keyhole]

Of course if they are Catholic, they could catch a Saturday eve Mass. Or like suggested, do a later service.
Our club has events set out on both days, alternating during the year. Sunday stuff is usually set later, like afternoon, so that those who do Sunday morning services can do both.

 

[TallPine]

But if it's a regular habit to skip church for shooting, then I think that shooting is the priority in one's life, and has taken the place of God.

Another angle ...

But if it's a regular habit to skip shooting for church, then I think that church is the priority in one's life, and has taken the place of God.

 

[Flashpoint]

Go to church with them, eat lunch, then go practice. Have you ever went to church with them, you might find out why they don't want to miss.





Don't let this guy do this to you!





The line "what we do today echoes in eternity" has great truth. 200 years from now, how good you were with a pistol won't be what's on your mind.

Oops, I'm turning this into a sermon.

 

[MJRW]

However, there is something in the bible requiring you to worship on the 7th day. The idea of changing the sabbath from the 7th day to the 1st day was certainly issued by the Pope.

 

[armabill]

Remind them that they don't have to be in church to talk to God. You can talk to him anywhere and at anytime. His lines of communications are always open.

 

[The Plainsman]

MJRW...

Be advised - you're about to turn this into a religious thread - and anti-catholic to boot. Let it lie.

 

[ScottsGT]

But isn't shooting a God given right? You're starting your own church! On the same note, my family has to plan our activities such as my childrens birthday partys, etc. around my brothers familys church schedules. I for one am getting tired of "rescheduling" my kids b'days so they can go to church, but I keep doing it out of respect. ( They have to drive 2 hours to visit, so they could not leave early in the a.m.)

 

[MJRW]

Good call plainsman. I wasn't trying to bash catholics, I've really got nothing against any religion and am completely agnostic. But if anyone wants to continue discussing it, I'd be more than happy to via e-mail or PM.

 

[buzz_knox]

But if it's a regular habit to skip shooting for church, then I think that church is the priority in one's life, and has taken the place of God.

Yet another angle. If you skip church, how can you comply with the instruction to join with the body of christ and enjoy fellowship and growth therein?

back at ya!

 

[Ol' Badger]

The holy trinity. John M. Browning. The .45 (1911). And a world filled with small furry things to shoot at!

 

[Wayne D]

I tell you what I told my wife, "We all worship in our own way."


She then called me a heathen and predicted where I would spend eternity.

 

[DadOfThree]

Something that I haven't seen mentioned yet is to talk to the club sponsoring the matches and ask them to change the day they have them. Explain to them that they could appeal to a whole new group of shooters who would be glad to participate and bring their family members to the match. I think that would be better than trying to talk the guy into skip church, but then again I am a little biased. Read the sig line

 

[Edward429451]

But if it's a regular habit to skip shooting for church, then I think that church is the priority in one's life, and has taken the place of God.

Now this had the tone of humor to it but methinks it may in fact be true more than you realize.

I think lots of people go to church for the obligation or symbolism of making a showing once a week, then go back home to their adulterous, lieing, theiving normal life until next week, hence, they do not walk with God INTO the church.

Conversely, one could easily walk with God to the shooting range and never set foot in a church and have a good relationship with God. Its all about a personal relationship with God, and while fellowshiping with other beleivers is good, it is not necessarily always found in church. Besides, the scripture says that where two or more are gathered in my name (jesus) there I am in their midst. The church is the body of beleivers and not in a certain building, although it can be in a certain building.

Did that make sense? I make no claim to this being absolute truth. It is 'to the best of my knowledge', so those more knowledgeable in the Lord, please feel free to set me straight if I'm wrong in my thinking. Back it up with scripture if you can.

 

[WOLFGUNNER5150]

Remember at the comp

DON'T SPRAY & PRAY

 

[J Miller]

This is a very interesting thread.
I will add a question. Not about any religion or faith, but about gun clubs, and shooting organizations.

I have thought of this often, and never had an answer.
Why do the clubs and organizations always seem to schedual events, practices, and get togethers on Sunday? What's wrong with Saturday?

I am not a regular chruch goer, but I know a lot who are. Their Sunday is Church day. Morning services, Sunday School, mid day services, and evening services.
But the rest of the week, especially Saturday is open for just about anything.
When I used to shoot matches I missed my church going friends, but understood why there were never there.
I think the clubs, ect are missing the boat on this one. It is they who show a big lack of flexibility.

JMNSHO