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Violence in God's Name
Some New York-area rabbis are planning to bring weapons to High Holy Day services this month to guard against terrorist threats. In June, a Kentucky pastor invited his congregation members to bring their firearms to church to celebrate the Second Amendment. Do weapons belong in worship? Should clergy be armed? Do the Ten Commandments trump the Second Amendment?
The more pivotal question that arises from the situations mentioned seems to be "Why would individuals, and especially clergy, ever think they need a gun in a house of worship?" If it is for protection, then the follow up question is "From what or whom?" Here is where the issue becomes complex and controversial, and it leads to one of the most important questions facing our world today, "Why has there been so much violence committed in the name of religion and will it ever end?"
The Christians in Kentucky who brought their guns to church apparently did so to show patriotism and support for the Second Amendment, not as a consequence of a perceived threat of violence against them. The New York rabbis did so for a very different reason. Jews have been the target of violence at the hands of others, mostly Christians and Muslims, for more than a millennium. Since the founding of Israel, the tempo of anti-semitic violence has greatly increased, with Muslim terrorists focusing more squarely on Jews and on their allies. Attacks and threats of attacks have become commonplace.
All the major world religions, as well as the others about which I am familiar, have some good aspects and teachings to them, and also some not so good aspects and teachings. Take Christianity and Islam, for example. Throughout their respective histories, the Christian Just War Theory and the Muslim concept of jihad have not only been used for defensive purposes but also to justify the killing of countless numbers of innocent people targeted because they were considered "non-believers." This comes from a foundational belief in each of these religions that it IS the only true belief system, and all those who do not follow it are somehow doomed to eternal damnation. History has shown that once such a view regarding religious minorities is held and promoted by those in power, then a movement to convince, convert, or crush non-believers has been all too common. Since Jews have lived alongside Christians and Muslims since the founding of both those traditions, they have often been the target of the latter's fundamentalist elements seeking converts, or of a general resentment directed against them at their resistance to changing religious affiliation.
I believe the vast majority of Christians and Muslims do NOT support coerced conversions and senseless killing of non-members. Non-violent Christians and Muslims must speak out and make a stand against such atrocities. Outsiders to those traditions can do little other than speak up to change the situation. Insiders and participants must be among the primary instruments of change. This is the only way the violence will end and such a perceived need for guns and bombs will cease
The followers of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism also believe their religions are correct, but many adherents do not perceive them in an exclusivistic manner. As a consequence, religious violence has been more rare. Furthermore, most followers of these traditions adhere to or at least give deference to the value of ahimsa, or non-violence. This is one of the reasons that vegetarianism has been an important part of these traditions
Lisa Miller recently wrote a Newsweek article entitled "We are All Hindus Now." In it, she notes, "A Hindu believes there are many paths to God. Jesus is one way, the Qur'an is another, yoga practice is a third. None is better than any other; all are equal." While this is a broad generalization, my experience within the tradition has shown that it is a quite common belief among the masses and most Hindu teachers believe and teach it as well.
If more people in the world approached others' beliefs in this way, there would be far less religious conflict and violence. If people in general focused less on external sectarian labels and more on individual behavior, there would be less resentment and hatred. Unfortunately, many clergy have a difficultly seeing others and their beliefs in this way.
The Nobel Laureate Bertrand Russell once noted, "War doesn't determine who's right, only who's left." In a somewhat similar vein, individuals promoting violence and hate in the name of their religion do not prove whose beliefs are right, only whose are most intolerant.
By
Ramdas Lamb
|
September 9, 2009; 3:55 AM ET
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Posted by: HinduHeart | September 15, 2009 11:47 PM
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I agree explicitly with the points Mr. Lamb brings to light in this article. While generally unrelated to the issue of guns in churches, synagogues, and mosques it presents an option for religions to end the idealogy in sects of that religion that coerced conversion and killing of non-believers is acceptable by any means. In regards to the question of guns in religion I believe a firearm should be used for personal protection and as "KARL_IN_PHEONIX" mentioned people cannot rely explicitly on their government for protection and at any point in their life they might need to protect and defend themselves and the ones they love. It's a crazy world we live in.
Posted by: ReedNeuman | September 15, 2009 10:41 AM
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Dear JUDEO-abe-CHRISTO's & Competition, et al:
Even though OSAMA BIN LADEN is dead [since June 2007] that "9.11", like what the "SHOA" is for JUDEO-abe-JU's via WW2; is the "SECULAR'S-SHOA/HOLOCAUST" so to speaketh 'Truth' (opposite MYTH).
O' al JUDEO-abe-ISLAMICs; Never forget: eat ye "SATANIc VERSING" hearts out, if any!
"SECULARism" is the ULTIMATE 'king/Queen', a 'Superior' Reality; aka TRUTH (opposite MYTH) & contrary to ANY Ye (not OUR) "Theocracy nor Monarchy MYTH's (opposite TRUTH) [man-made] System's instead of our INNATE Holy Cosmic-Feelers-Faith SYSTEM!
Note: VEDIC JUDEO-vedic-Hindus or JUDEO-Vedic-Buddhists are also POLY-THEO & ZERO Monotheo faith, Belief nor as if be a genuine Religion SYSTEM!
Wake-Up! KINDALLAH!
Posted by: spaceship-earth | September 11, 2009 8:33 PM
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If we could teach the world that pluralism is a celebration of Mother Durga's creative genius, we would not need guns.
But until then, there are crazy ideologies that want to destroy all opposition by violence.
hariaum
Posted by: Navin1 | September 11, 2009 6:42 PM
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An Active Shooter (a spree murderer) is usually "finished" with his murder spree in two-to-three MINUTES. Active Shooters favor "UNARMED VICTIM ZONES". Think about it.
Police response in less than three minutes from the beginning of an "incident" is nearly impossible.
When the "bad thing" happens, those involved will be on their own to solve the problem, to live or die. That is the reality of dealing with an Active Shooter.
If more "good citizens" were armed (and trained), there would be fewer victims of criminal assaults. Ultimately, we are responsible for our personal protection, the government cannot be with us every moment and I do not want them with me every moment.
There is nothing wrong with guns in the hands of these Rabis who are trained in the use of these tools of protection.
Posted by: Karl_in_Phoenix | September 11, 2009 10:57 AM
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Thank you Ramdas for the most sane posting I've read here at On Faith for the past few days. It seems your colleagues are tripping over each other to condemn whatever non-PC acts other religious leaders are doing, rather than focusing as you did on the underlying issues.
Posted by: k_romulus | September 10, 2009 10:11 AM
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I like to imagine that this Forum could be renamed "OM FAITH"