Good: We need more churchs like this (Merged X 3) - Page 2

miklcolt45 · June 4th, 2009, 09:55 PM

Here is another article with a little more information...

http://content.usatoday.net/dist/cus...35255652.story

Quote:

Ky. pastor asks members to bring guns to church
Posted 6/4/2009 5:33 PM ET
LOUISVILLE (AP) — A Kentucky pastor is inviting his flock to bring guns to church to celebrate the Fourth of July and the Second Amendment.

New Bethel Church is welcoming "responsible handgun owners" to wear their firearms inside the church June 27, a Saturday. An ad says there will be a handgun raffle, patriotic music and information on gun safety.

"We're just going to celebrate the upcoming theme of the birth of our nation," said pastor Ken Pagano. "And we're not ashamed to say that there was a strong belief in God and firearms — without that this country wouldn't be here."

The guns must be unloaded and private security will check visitors at the door, Pagano said.

He said recent church shootings, including the killing Sunday of a late-term abortion provider in Kansas, which he condemned, highlight the need to promote safe gun ownership. The New Bethel Church event was planned months before Dr. George Tiller was shot to death in a Wichita church.

Kentucky allows residents to openly carry guns in public with some restrictions. Gun owners carrying concealed weapons must have state-issued permits and can't take them to schools, jails or bars, among other exceptions.

Pagano's Protestant church, which attracts up to 150 people to Sunday services, is a member of the Assemblies of God. The former Marine and handgun instructor said he expected some backlash, but has heard only a "little bit" of criticism of the gun event.

John Phillips, an Arkansas pastor who was shot twice while leading a service at his former church in 1986, said a house of worship is no place for firearms.

"A church is designated as a safe haven, it's a place of worship," said Phillips, who was shot by a church member's relative for an unknown reason and still has a bullet lodged in his spine. "It is unconscionable to me to think that a church would be a place that you would even want to bring a weapon."

Phillips spoke out against a bill before the Arkansas General Assembly that would have permitted the carrying of guns in that state's churches. The bill failed in February.

Pagano, 50, said some members of his church were concerned that President Obama's administration could restrict gun ownership, and they supported the plan for the event when Pagano asked their opinion.

Marian McClure Taylor, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, an umbrella organization for 11 Christian denominations in Kentucky, said Christian churches are promoters of peace, but "most allow for arms to be taken up under certain conditions."

Taylor said Pagano assured her the event would focus on promoting responsible gun ownership and any proceeds would go to charity.

"Those two commitments are consistent with the high value the Assemblies of God churches place on human life," she said in an e-mail message.

Pagano is encouraging church members to bring a canned good and a friend to the event. He said guns must be unloaded for insurance purposes and safety reasons.

He said the point was not to mix worship with guns, though he may reference some passages from the Bible.

"Firearms can be evil and they can be useful," he said. "We're just trying to promote responsible gun ownership and gun safety."

This is an idiotic statement that a pastor (Pagano) should know better than to make. No one I know would say "cars can be evil and they can be useful," or "pizza with extra cheese can be evil or useful."

Inanimate objects have no such anthropormorphic characteristics. How they can be used by HUMAN BEINGS is useful or harmful. Persons are evil or good, their actions are evil or good. Objects are just that-objects.

As for Pastor Phillips (the one who was shot in 1986), this looks to me like a fearful reaction based on his experience. It is a shame that he is unable to think beyond that horrible experience to a logical conclusion-that guns can, and often do, save lives. I agree that a "house of worship SHOULD BE a place of sanctuary and SHOULD NOT BE a place for weapons." But, until the BGs are willing to come to that same conclusion and live it out, houses of worship are not safe by default.

preachertim · June 4th, 2009, 10:41 PM

This story made my day!

Gun-loving pastor to his flock: Piece be with you
Buzz Up Send
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky pastor is inviting his flock to bring guns to church to celebrate the Fourth of July and the Second Amendment.

New Bethel Church is welcoming "responsible handgun owners" to wear their firearms inside the church June 27, a Saturday. An ad says there will be a handgun raffle, patriotic music and information on gun safety.

"We're just going to celebrate the upcoming theme of the birth of our nation," said pastor Ken Pagano. "And we're not ashamed to say that there was a strong belief in God and firearms — without that this country wouldn't be here."

The guns must be unloaded and private security will check visitors at the door, Pagano said.

He said recent church shootings, including the killing Sunday of a late-term abortion provider in Kansas, which he condemned, highlight the need to promote safe gun ownership. The New Bethel Church event was planned months before Dr. George Tiller was shot to death in a Wichita church.

Kentucky allows residents to openly carry guns in public with some restrictions. Gun owners carrying concealed weapons must have state-issued permits and can't take them to schools, jails or bars, among other exceptions.

Pagano's Protestant church, which attracts up to 150 people to Sunday services, is a member of the Assemblies of God. The former Marine and handgun instructor said he expected some backlash, but has heard only a "little bit" of criticism of the gun event.

John Phillips, an Arkansas pastor who was shot twice while leading a service at his former church in 1986, said a house of worship is no place for firearms.

"A church is designated as a safe haven, it's a place of worship," said Phillips, who was shot by a church member's relative for an unknown reason and still has a bullet lodged in his spine. "It is unconscionable to me to think that a church would be a place that you would even want to bring a weapon."

Phillips spoke out against a bill before the Arkansas General Assembly that would have permitted the carrying of guns in that state's churches. The bill failed in February.

Pagano, 50, said some members of his church were concerned that President Obama's administration could restrict gun ownership, and they supported the plan for the event when Pagano asked their opinion.

Marian McClure Taylor, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, an umbrella organization for 11 Christian denominations in Kentucky, said Christian churches are promoters of peace, but "most allow for arms to be taken up under certain conditions."

Taylor said Pagano assured her the event would focus on promoting responsible gun ownership and any proceeds would go to charity.

"Those two commitments are consistent with the high value the Assemblies of God churches place on human life," she said in an e-mail message.

Pagano is encouraging church members to bring a canned good and a friend to the event. He said guns must be unloaded for insurance purposes and safety reasons.

He said the point was not to mix worship with guns, though he may reference some passages from the Bible.

"Firearms can be evil and they can be useful," he said. "We're just trying to promote responsible gun ownership and gun safety."

dudester · June 4th, 2009, 10:49 PM

How cool is that? :D

Gibber · June 4th, 2009, 10:51 PM

This is extremely cool. And from a man who obviously fears God.

Colin · June 4th, 2009, 11:06 PM

They had a segment from ABC on the news up here, the reporter confused the First Amendement with the 2nd.......sigh. There is dumb and then there is media dumb..

bluedaisy · June 4th, 2009, 11:08 PM

So, I emailed the Pastor to say thanks. Kudos to him, and his congregation

CRags99 · June 4th, 2009, 11:14 PM

Glad to see Kentuckians doing good things for the 2nd!

ccw9mm · June 4th, 2009, 11:17 PM

It makes perfect sense. Finally ... folks with some intelligence on the matter. It's good to see!

MinistrMalic · June 5th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Um...we invite people to bring theirs on any given Sunday...as long as they are concealed. And we ARE the private security. What use are unloaded guns? That strikes me as patently ridiculous.

Barbary · June 6th, 2009, 08:41 AM

I saw this article while reading the local news paper the Courier Journal. The pastor of Bethel Church in Louisville, Kentucky is having a service on the 4th of July weekend to celebrate our 2nd Amendment rights. You will be encouraged to bring your guns to this service. There are two requirements: You are naturally expected to be a law abiding citizen and the guns must be unloaded. The guns will be inspected by security as you come through the door by security. The pastor had been in the service and is a firearms instructor. Not sure how I feel about the unloaded part of the stipulation. It's good to see that in Louisville one pastor supports 2nd A freedoms. Just had a funny thought: Could you imagine seeing the looks of potential members coming to the church that Sunday to attend a service and see people with guns strapped on including the pastor behind the pulpit?

June 4th, 2009, 10:41 PM	#12
preachertim Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 597	Gun-loving pastor to his flock: Piece be with you This story made my day! Gun-loving pastor to his flock: Piece be with you Buzz Up Send LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky pastor is inviting his flock to bring guns to church to celebrate the Fourth of July and the Second Amendment. New Bethel Church is welcoming "responsible handgun owners" to wear their firearms inside the church June 27, a Saturday. An ad says there will be a handgun raffle, patriotic music and information on gun safety. "We're just going to celebrate the upcoming theme of the birth of our nation," said pastor Ken Pagano. "And we're not ashamed to say that there was a strong belief in God and firearms — without that this country wouldn't be here." The guns must be unloaded and private security will check visitors at the door, Pagano said. He said recent church shootings, including the killing Sunday of a late-term abortion provider in Kansas, which he condemned, highlight the need to promote safe gun ownership. The New Bethel Church event was planned months before Dr. George Tiller was shot to death in a Wichita church. Kentucky allows residents to openly carry guns in public with some restrictions. Gun owners carrying concealed weapons must have state-issued permits and can't take them to schools, jails or bars, among other exceptions. Pagano's Protestant church, which attracts up to 150 people to Sunday services, is a member of the Assemblies of God. The former Marine and handgun instructor said he expected some backlash, but has heard only a "little bit" of criticism of the gun event. John Phillips, an Arkansas pastor who was shot twice while leading a service at his former church in 1986, said a house of worship is no place for firearms. "A church is designated as a safe haven, it's a place of worship," said Phillips, who was shot by a church member's relative for an unknown reason and still has a bullet lodged in his spine. "It is unconscionable to me to think that a church would be a place that you would even want to bring a weapon." Phillips spoke out against a bill before the Arkansas General Assembly that would have permitted the carrying of guns in that state's churches. The bill failed in February. Pagano, 50, said some members of his church were concerned that President Obama's administration could restrict gun ownership, and they supported the plan for the event when Pagano asked their opinion. Marian McClure Taylor, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, an umbrella organization for 11 Christian denominations in Kentucky, said Christian churches are promoters of peace, but "most allow for arms to be taken up under certain conditions." Taylor said Pagano assured her the event would focus on promoting responsible gun ownership and any proceeds would go to charity. "Those two commitments are consistent with the high value the Assemblies of God churches place on human life," she said in an e-mail message. Pagano is encouraging church members to bring a canned good and a friend to the event. He said guns must be unloaded for insurance purposes and safety reasons. He said the point was not to mix worship with guns, though he may reference some passages from the Bible. "Firearms can be evil and they can be useful," he said. "We're just trying to promote responsible gun ownership and gun safety." __________________ Why Would A Preacher ever need a Gun? Its Not for the Sheep , its for the Wolves! Springfield Armory Service XD 40 Taurus PT 1911 45 acp Ruger 22/45 Ruger P95 9mm, Ruger SR9 Kahr CW 40, Heritage 22, Rossi 38 special

June 4th, 2009, 10:49 PM	#13
dudester Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gator Country Posts: 87	How cool is that? :D __________________ NRA Life Member Florida Concealed Carry

June 4th, 2009, 11:08 PM	#16
bluedaisy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PA Posts: 265	Made my day too! So, I emailed the Pastor to say thanks. Kudos to him, and his congregation __________________ "Let me control the textbooks, and I will control the state." - Adolf Hitler

June 4th, 2009, 11:14 PM	#17
CRags99 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Benton, KY Posts: 448	Glad to see Kentuckians doing good things for the 2nd! __________________ Glock 27 "Criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot."

June 4th, 2009, 11:17 PM	#18
ccw9mm VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oregon USA Posts: 8,267	It makes perfect sense. Finally ... folks with some intelligence on the matter. It's good to see! __________________ Your best weapon is your brain. Don't leave home without it. Thoughts: Justifiable self defense. Explain: How does disarming victims reduce the number of victims? Deal with evil through strength. Affirm the good in Man through trust. NRA. GOA. OFF.

June 4th, 2009, 10:51 PM	#14
Gibber Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TN Posts: 298	This is extremely cool. And from a man who obviously fears God.

June 4th, 2009, 11:06 PM	#15
Colin Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,657	They had a segment from ABC on the news up here, the reporter confused the First Amendement with the 2nd.......sigh. There is dumb and then there is media dumb..

June 5th, 2009, 03:11 PM	#19
MinistrMalic Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 457	Um...we invite people to bring theirs on any given Sunday...as long as they are concealed. And we ARE the private security. What use are unloaded guns? That strikes me as patently ridiculous. __________________ "...whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one." (Luke 22:36) Here is my blog if you're interested :)

June 6th, 2009, 08:41 AM	#20
Barbary Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 361	Pator encouraging "bring your gun to church day" I saw this article while reading the local news paper the Courier Journal. The pastor of Bethel Church in Louisville, Kentucky is having a service on the 4th of July weekend to celebrate our 2nd Amendment rights. You will be encouraged to bring your guns to this service. There are two requirements: You are naturally expected to be a law abiding citizen and the guns must be unloaded. The guns will be inspected by security as you come through the door by security. The pastor had been in the service and is a firearms instructor. Not sure how I feel about the unloaded part of the stipulation. It's good to see that in Louisville one pastor supports 2nd A freedoms. Just had a funny thought: Could you imagine seeing the looks of potential members coming to the church that Sunday to attend a service and see people with guns strapped on including the pastor behind the pulpit?

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