I am writing in response to Dave Warnock's blog post here:
Dave is commenting on recent shootings in the U.S.
Scenario 1:
Driving to collect our children from a youth meeting we were listening to the radio news. A gunman had entered an Episcopal Church during a youth event and gunned down a number of those present, this took place in Dallas, Texas in 1998, our children were at an identical event in Houston, Texas. Miles apart, and yet so close. We prayed for the families injured by this tragedy.
Scenario 2:
A School bus from my son's Junior High School was hijacked and the occupants were held at gunpoint for several hours whist the police department negotiated with the hijacker- he was 15! (Katy Texas, 1999).
Scenario 3:
We were out with friends for dinner, my eldest son was playing soccer in the back yard when he accidentally kicked the ball over onto our neighbours drive. He ran to collect it. Our neighbour appeared and started to hit and punch him, restrained only by his son who recognised Paul.
Tim challenged the neighbour when we arrived home, his reply- just be glad I didn't have my gun!!!
Paul needed treatment for his injuries and rest at home away from school.
Our neighbour sheepishly apologised later- we could have prosecuted him- in some ways I wish we had, instead we turned the other cheek!
Dave says:
imagine if millions of Christians were willing to take discipleship seriously, to be willing to die for their Lord and so insert themselves (unarmed and non-violent) between sides in places of conflict while at the same time being serious about working for justice and reconciliation. I don't think Christian Pacifism has been demonstrated to be ineffective, I just don't think we have tried it properly.
He goes on to say:
I wonder what it would be like if millions of American Christians decided enough is enough and the killing of innocent unarmed victims must stop. What is more, what if they decided that they were going to achieve this in a non-violent and Christian way that brings in justice.
Please don't tell me these were unfortunate and isolated events- we were only in Texas for 3 years, and so many of our fellow believers defended their right to be armed! Is it time to think again.
John is right this is a rising issue in the U.K., we need to take a responsible stand!
