In the U.S., can guns* as a symbol of cultural identity and Christianity - following Christ - as a cultural identity both coexist?
* by gun culture here I am referring not to the culture surrounding armed criminals and their activity, I am referring to complete opposition to gun ownership being "well-regulated" by people who do not commit crimes.
For example, a family photo for distribution to friends in celebration of Christmas, i.e. the birth of Christ, a family gathered around a Christmas tree, all ages, 8 years old, pre-teens, teens, parents, a grandparent or two, all holding assault rifles. Is such a photo a bona-fide Christian scene?
"Gun culture" as defined in America is strictly a result of the over-fascination in the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. Never mind that the barrel-loading musket is no longer the state of the art in personal protection. (As a result, the Second Amendment no longer applies.)
To conflate this with "Christian identity" is to give short shrift to the concept in American politics of a key function of government, which is to maintain a separation of church and state.
Both factions err when they conflate these two. I own several guns and I am a Christian, but I am not a gun owner because I am a Christian, and I am not a Christian because I am a gun owner.
In fact, Matthew 26:52 says: "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." This has long been taken to mean that Jesus advocated non-violence. So brandishing your gun in a Christmas photo should probably be seen as a ridiculous self-aggrandizing play, and not a guarantee that one is following Jesus.
@suzianne saidFMF didn’t say “Christian identity”.
To conflate this with "Christian identity" is to give short shrift to the concept in American politics of a key function of government, which is to maintain a separation of church and state.
You’re “missing the conversation” again Suzianne.
@divegeester saidRead the thread title before whipping out one of your latest "shame insults".
FMF didn’t say “Christian identity”.
You’re “missing the conversation” again Suzianne.
THEN maybe you can respond to what I said.
@suzianne saidI stand corrected on the use of “Christian identity” in the thread title. I was focused on the text where on you claim that their is some conflation occurring.
Read the thread title before whipping out one of your latest "shame insults".
THEN maybe you can respond to what I said.
Nevertheless the term “Christian identity” was indeed used in the title.
@fmf saidIs a Christmas card like this "sinful"?
For example, a family photo for distribution to friends in celebration of Christmas, i.e. the birth of Christ, a family gathered around a Christmas tree, all ages, 8 years old, pre-teens, teens, parents, a grandparent or two, all holding assault rifles. Is such a photo a bona-fide Christian scene?
@fmf saidNot sinful at all. There is nothing wrong with weapons of any kind. It is the abuse of weapons and using them to kill that is wrong and sinful. Weapons, like swords of long ago are necessary for self defense and hunting. Back to the Christmas photo. It can be called distasteful. Similarly a Christmas family photo of everyone in their underwear, would be in the same category.
Is a Christmas card like this "sinful"?