God is Love
A Statement on
Gun Violence in the United States
This statement was
given by Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson at a press conference held in
Washington, DC, on January 15, 2013. Religious leaders and Faith Against Gun
Violence came together to press for tighter gun regulations to stop gun
violence in the United States.
First, let me give honor and praise
to our Creator for the opportunity to speak with the press today regarding the
eradication of gun violence in the United States. I am the Reverend Dr. J.
Herbert Nelson, Director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness
in Washington, DC. I represent nearly two million members of our denomination.
I also represent today the National Council of Churches which includes 37
Christian denominations and their over 100,000 congregations and 45 million
persons in the United States. Our collective presence of interfaith leaders
gathered today is a witness to our belief in the need for faith leaders to bind
ourselves together on both national and local levels. We are aware that
pressure from the gun lobby and gun owners continues to mount around this
issue. But we believe that political leaders in Washington can resolve this
problem and achieve meaningful gun reform if only they have the will.
As we celebrate the life of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. on his birthday today, it is imperative for us to be
reminded that he was a man who advocated for peace and justice. I am convinced
that if he were here today, this issue would be the priority of his leadership.
In the United States today, since 1997 we are witnessing gun deaths of more
than thirty thousand persons per year. From the Revolutionary War in 1775 to
the Persian Gulf War in 1991 which totaled 116 years there were 650,858 persons
killed in combat. In the eighteen years from 1979 to 1997 we have experienced
651,697 deaths by guns. There were 839 more persons killed by guns during this
18 year period in the United States than in 116 years of foreign wars involving
the United States.[i] No
longer can faith communities stand idly by and commit to performing burials
while bowing to lobbyists whose motivations are driven by a false standard of
profit and power. We stand today on the premise that faith does have something to say about life and death. Therefore, it is
imperative that we declare that our Creator affirms life abundantly while
giving leadership to those of us who will challenge the false choice between
guns and freedom.
We have gathered to call for 1) a ban
on all assault weapons. These are weapons of war and there is no reason for
common citizens to purchase or possess them. We do not use AK-47’s to hunt
deer! Therefore, we are calling for the reinstatement of the assault weapons
ban which lapsed in 2004. 2) We are calling for universal background checks.
Presently, there is no federal provision for background checks and some states
that do not require them at all. Therefore, persons that are mentally ill or do
not know how to fire a gun or possess criminal records can make gun purchases. 3)
Gun trafficking should be made a federal
crime. Currently, prosecutions only happen through a law that prohibits
selling guns without a federal license, which carries the same punishment as
trafficking chicken or livestock. We must empower law enforcement to
investigate and prosecute straw purchasers, gun traffickers, and their entire
criminal networks.
We must not minimize the struggle of
families who mourn the loss of those children and teachers killed at Sandy Hook
Elementary School. The Newtown community tragedy brought this issue of gun violence
to the forefront in public debate. However, it is a greater tragedy that we
live in a culture of violence that self-perpetuates and makes gun violence
acceptable. According to one journalist,
each evening on the eleven o’clock news many television stations wait until two
to three minutes before the broadcast to determine the lead story, because they
are waiting for the possibility of a late night shooting. The common term in
the media for this is “if it bleeds, it leads.” Newtown is representative of a
long list of tragic community killings through gun violence. Our purpose here
today is to declare that our faith perspectives and holy books call us, first
and foremost, to love one another, not to protect ourselves against one
another.
In inner city and some rural
communities today, the criminal element connected to guns is rampant due to a
lack of economic opportunity – dismal job prospects; low wages; and historic, flawed,
and failing public education. Without opportunities, children are forced to
choose gangs, guns, and incarceration over graduation. All of these dismal realities
of community life are perfect for drugs, trafficking, prostitution, and other
public safety issues stemming from illegal activities that create an
environment for guns to neutralize the affects among criminals in a community. If
the real truth is exposed, we would realize that none of us are safe in this
country. Shopping malls, political rallies, temples, mosques, churches, schools,
including college campuses, and a host of other public venues are all potential
sites for gun violence at any given time. The challenge of eradicating gun
violence is that there must be a change of heart and Spirit in our nation. This
issue of creating peace for our nation is tied to justice and how we treat our
neighbors and whether each person has an opportunity for economic livelihood.
If Dr. King were alive today, he
would remind us that the United States is a great nation, when it measures its
greatness on its moral and ethical actions. “Let us be first in love,” he would
declare. Guns must be brought under tighter legislative restrictions for the
purpose of saving lives and restoring the integrity of our commitment to
promote life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We stand together today,
because we know beyond all else that God is love. Let our love bind us together
to challenge the onslaught of gun violence in our nation. Tell Congress and our
President to pass legislation that will tighten gun laws in this country. God
is love!
View the video of this morning's remarks:
View the video of this morning's remarks:
[i] James Atwood, America and It’s Guns: A Theological Expose (Eugene Oregon: Cascade Books, 2012) Appendix p. 227-228.
Appreciate that he pointed out that "...it is a greater tragedy that we live in a culture of violence that self-perpetuates and makes gun violence acceptable." The mass shootings always make a bigger impression, but the everyday gun violence is destroying so many lives every single day. Not just the people who are injured or die, but the people, particularly the children, who hear and witness gun violence in their neighborhoods every day.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate PCUSA taking a stand.
Well done! Thank you for representing us in your ministry to our country and world. I stand in solidarity with you on this issue.
ReplyDeleteI think you are speaking from a position of emotion and ignorance. When waiting periods have been enacted, women suffer disproportionate rates of personal violence, including rape and murder. Do you even know the percentage of murders committed with "assault weapons?" Do you know what an "assault weapon" is? Did you know that law enforcement officers have higher rates of criminal records than concealed carry permit holders? Did you know that St. Augustine argued for self-defense?
ReplyDelete(http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3064.htm#article7)
You do not speak for me or for many members of the PCUSA. Again.
Martha E. Leatherman, M.D.
Ruling Elder, PCUSA
Sir,
ReplyDeleteI have worked for the Nebraska Department of corrections, have served Active Duty for 4 years, and have served with the Nebraska National Guard, including two voluntary deployments, since 2005. I have not only studied at a seminary (received a Masters of Divinity) and served in several PC USA and UMC churches as either part-time staff or on a volunteer basis. I have studied human behavior from a law enforcement/corrections and theological perspective. What happens in this world, whether in Columbine, Sandy Hook, or many other places. Our sinful, human nature bends us towards selfishness, which does often consummate into violence.
Whether as a Military Police officer, while working corrections, or any other time, I always strive to resolve things peacefully. The vast majority of law enforcement officers, correctional professionals, etc., use our verbal skills to de-escalate things so that there is no need to use physical force. Unfortunately, there are many out there who, either because of drugs, alcohol, mental issues, or any other reason/excuse, choose to become violent. That is real life. If you are not aware of this, I highly encourage you to take time and honestly talk with law enforcement officers, correctional professionals, those in the military, and find out what it's like to work with those who do not care about others.
I have read numerous statistics that show crime will rise in 'gun free zones' and when there are excessive gun laws. Why? Because criminals break laws and do not care about 'following the rules.' In fact, most criminals will purposefully seek out 'gun free zones' because they know that the likelihood of an armed lawabiding citizen will not be there to stop them. Since most local law enforcement average 5 to 10 minute to respond (depending on factors like weather, other priority calls, staffing, etc.), most criminals are gone before they arrive.
As Christians, we are called to protect and defend the innocent, widow, orphan, and all others who are powerless. As an extension of that, we should be providing skills and resources to enable them to protect themsleves from those who want to abuse or kill them. When a state or nation passes laws that make it more difficult for the average citizen to get the equipment and training that they need to defend themselves, then the state and/or nation become liable for those who become victims.
You claim to have a doctorate of ministry. That would require many, many years of reading Scripture. Therefore, you should know that all of us have a sinful nature. Some choose to live withing society's laws, but many do not. It is becuase of this that we have law enforcement officers, corrections professionals, military personnel, etc. But, they cannot be everyone at once. And, that is why God commands us to do everything we can to protect the orphan, widow, etc. Not just law enforcement officers and such, but all of us. God also greatly condemns those who turn a blind eye to those doing evil, or in other ways enable them to do their evil deeds.
In a nutshell, there are many, many Christians of the PCUSA, UMC, and many other denominations that are hunters, trappers, outdoorsmen/women, recreational shooters, etc. Each of these people seek to live in peace with their neighbors and enjoy all of Creation. However, they are realist and understand the potential for evil that we all have and seek to be prepared. And, you definitely do not speak for us.
Very Respectfully,
Ray C. Underwood, M Div
There are flaws in your basic argument. First, you do not represent all members of the PC(USA) church as no position on gun laws has been voted on or approved by the local churches or presbyteries. The issue was not even addressed in any meaningful way at the last General Assembly in Pittsburgh. Second, your careful selection of blocks of data is suspect at best. Given that the most recent data you use is over 15 years old, what has happened since then? This is a very complex issue and simply saying, in essence, "guns are evil" is just as irresponsible as saying, "give everyone a gun." I believe that a better approach is to have well thoughtout laws that hold individual law breakers accountable for their actions rather than emotional over-reactions that penalize law-abiding citizens.
ReplyDeleteDear Sir:
ReplyDeleteYou claim to speak for the PCUSA denomination. Please show us where you have that power to proclaim for the whole denomination what has not been voted on by any General Assembly. There may be as many within our wonderful denomination who would disagree with you as agree with you. Even if you have 50% plus one, it does not entitle you to speak as you do. I respectfully ask you to retract your comments and apologize for overstepping your authority.
Secondly, please do your research concerning guns and give a more balanced approach. Actual deaths per capita in the USA from guns is going down. The very places where gun violence is increasing is where gun laws are the strictest, such as Chicago and New York City. Almost all cities which have a population in excess of 250,000 experience far more gun violence than the rest. Why is it right to assume what you propose, will help curb gun violence? If stricter gun controls seem to be linked to more gun violence, why do you wish to insist on this for all our nation? Do you wish for all of us to be as Chicago and New York City?
Third AK-47s are an assault rifle, right? Can you describe what is and what is not an assault rifle? You said, “We do not use AK-47s to hunt deer!” No generally not, but that is not why people have them. The Second Amendment is not about hunting, it is about protecting our freedoms. If there are any in our government, who have such weaponry, then why is it not appropriate for the common citizens to have similar weapons to protect themselves?
Fourth, you mention specific laws which should be enacted. What will it help to place more laws on the books? We do not have the current laws on the books enforced. Will more laws help? Will more background checks insure criminals will not have guns? Talk to those who are in law enforcement and see what they have to say about this. My conversations lead me to believe those who break the law are not going to be unable to get guns because it has not been made a federal crime, or because every gun transfer must be accompanied with a background check.
Fifth, you say you do not want to “minimize the struggles of families who mourn the loss of those children and teacher killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.” Well I don’t want to give them false hope. I don’t want to give other communities hope that this has been resolved because of any changes you seem to support here. Show us a community where such changes have made a difference? I encourage you to look to Chicago and New York City and see how that has worked out. Complex problems need more than simple political solutions.
Sixth, you link violence and the economy and many social issues. Yet not once do you speak of the power of Jesus Christ, nor the imperative given to us in Micah 6:8 to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” At the core, this is a spiritual issue and you speak for the PCUSA and do not give any mention to the Holy Spirit nor our Lord Jesus Christ. I think there is hope and change only in him who loves us and gave himself for us.
In closing you say that all which we do must stem from “God is love.” That is a very narrow way of looking at this. God is also Holy. The fact that guns have been used declares something about humanity, and that is we are a fallen race in need of a Mighty Savior. Your answer seems to be politically motivated, not Spiritually motivated.
It saddens me greatly to read this “proclamation.” We can do better and we need to do better. I would like to be one of the first to ask you to retract this statement and offer something which has more Gospel, more Christ, and more hope for our nation which has been torn apart over this and so many issues.
I agree with the majority of commentary that you do not speak for me, my family or the congregants of the PCUSA. It is the pinnacle of arrogance to declare what we "peasants" are allowed to have to defend our family. I am certain that you also are aware that AK-47's and other fuly automatic weapons are already illegal. I am less certain as to why you would then make such a false and misleading statemetn. Surely you are aware of John Lott's extensive study from Yale that more guns equal less crime. He has a book of the same name. It is clear that the stricter the gun laws, the more dangerous the cities. Eric Holder himself has said that he doesn't have the time to enforce the very gun laws you are crying for that are ALREADY ON THE BOOKS. Straw purchases are already illegal, yet the Obama adminstration ignored the gun dealers notification about straw purchasers, and allowed thousands of guns to be smuggled to Mexico where hundreds of Mexicans have been killed as a result. Where was your outrage then? Where were the PCUSA proclamations during the Fast and Furious hearings? Surely, if an armed attacker threatens my family you do not want my only recourse to be prayer. It may be a blessing to be martyred for Christ, but certainly you do not think it such a blessing to sacrifice myself and my family for a criminal's avarice.
ReplyDeleteI, too must disagree with your position that you represent the PCUSA community and I would like to point out that gun control does not decrease gun violence. It INCREASES it. All you have to do is look at the statistics of cities that have current gun control (or gun-free) laws. Have violent crimes (specifically murder) increased or decreased in those cities??? Statistics don't lie.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to take a stand on something; how about our religious freedoms that are being hauled away at every turn in the road?