Posted on 06/27/2009 4:03:36 PM PDT by marktwain
Bringing new meaning to the term "wearing your Sunday best," a pastor in Kentucky is encouraging his parishioners to strap a holster to their church clothes today and proudly display their weapons.
Pastor Ken Pagano of the New Bethel Church in Louisville has declared today -- June 27 -- as "Open Carry Celebration" day, to promote responsible gun ownership. Pagano told ABCNews.com:
"As a Christian pastor I believe that without a deep-seeded belief in God and firearms that this country would not be here. I'm not ashamed of that fact. I'm proud of it."
Pagano said no one will be taking out their guns and waving them around. In fact, all guns must be unloaded. Extra security will be on hand to make sure things stay safe. Pagano defends the celebration, saying the congregation voted in favor of it. There will be videos with information about gun safety, patriotic music to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, as well as a raffle for a brand new handgun.
Others though, are not thrilled. Arkansas pastor John Phillips, who was shot inside his church while leading a service in 1986, said a church is no place for guns:
"A church is designated as a safe haven, it's a place of worship. It is unconscionable to me to think that a church would be a place that you would even want to bring a weapon."
That thought is echoed by Paul Helmke, who is the President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence:
"Christ tells us to put down the sword and this pastor seems to be encouraging them to take up the sword... If pastor Pagano was doing things to push for background checks on sales and to put restrictions on the types of guns that can be sold to the public, then I'd salute him."
The announcement comes a week after abortion doctor George Tiller was gunned down inside a church in Kansas. Pagano said his celebration was planned months before the killing. He says the Tiller murder will contrast with what he is trying to accomplish:
"Firearms can be evil and they can be useful. We're just trying to promote responsible gun ownership and gun safety
The early colonists *required* people to bring their guns to church.
now there is a pastor with cajones
I would so go to his church for the day even though I’m not his denomination
Jesus would bring an Uzi!
>>It is unconscionable to me to think that a church would be a place that you would even want to bring a weapon.”
That makes me think of those photos of Chaplains standing before armed soldiers and Marines preparing to make a beach landing in WW2.
It doesn’t matter what you carry into church. It only matters what you carry out.
Are there no editors worthy of the title anymore? Has Internet-speak/grammar/spelling/word usage become the order of the day?
Everyday should be Open Carry day in every city and state.
That is a bona fied criticism.
parsy, who met Mia Culpa once.
Luke 22:36. "Then said he unto them, 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."
Helmke wouldn't know the truth if it was sodomizing him.
Jesus would carry a DPMS LR-308 with all the LaRue goodies on it.
Unloaded? Pretty stupid!!!
Agreed. It’s symbolic. However, it is a step in the right direction.
Nah...God would shoot a M1A1. And he wouldnt need a scope either.
I was thinkin’ St. Pete for the M1A1. Jehova would probably CCW the left-hand gun of Navarone.
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