BLOG 8/30/15. THE CHURCH’S SILENCE ON GUN VIOLENCE: WHY?

The statistics on gun violence and gun-related deaths in the United States are frightening, even nightmarish. They are so horrendous that statistics from mass killings, and terrorists killings in other nations, are trivial by comparison. In this year, thus far, there have been nearly 34,000 victims of gun violence, 8619 deaths, 491 children killed or injured, 1707 teenagers killed or injured, 247 mass shootings in the U.S., . . . and on and on. Eighty people die each day in this country due to guns.

So where is the church? Where are those who have the power to put restraints on this? Who has the fortitude to confront the ‘principalities and powers’ of the gun lobby, or the NRA with their obscenely powerful capacity to hold the church, the congress, the Supreme Court, and any opposing entity captive? Culturally it would seem that we have become deaf, or immune to such a horrific reality on our doorstep. We get exercised briefly when there is a mass shooting at a church Bible study in Charleston, or the killing of two journalists on television, or a school shooting in New England, . . . but then its back to normal, and guns continue to proliferate.

What anyone who has raised a significant voice against the gun phenomenon knows, there is quick retaliation, personally or politically. The gun industry seems not to even allow the subject to be broached in public debate. Even the more progressive political candidates seem to skirt it as a significant issue in the current campaign.

And those of us who are the teachers and leaders inside the church, know that often there are present the otherwise most polite and placid members of our congregations, who are passionate about their right to have guns, and their membership in the NRA. To oppose such exacts a strong reaction, and often the loss of friendship.

The church does, however, have a prophetic role, and that prophetic role is seldom popular. Go back to the fifth century account of the Christian monk Telemachus who was so appalled at the carnage of the popular gladiatorial contest (as the story is related) that he leaped down into the arena, raised his hand and commanded the gladiators: “In the name of Jesus, I command you to cease!” (or something to that effect). He was immediately killed by stoning or stabbing. But the Emperor Honorarius was so impressed at the monk’s witness that he, forthwith, banned the gladiatorial contests in the empire.

So with the Old Testament prophets. They seldom lived or died ideal and popular lives. They frequently died violent deaths. Is the death of one’s popularity, or the dismissal of one’s protest, or the loss of one’s position in the community to come as any surprise. Many timid followers of Christ may see injustice and violence for what they are, but wait until the protest is safe before going public. I watched this in the civil rights struggle in the 1960s. It was Martin Luther King, Jr. who publicly exposed the huge injustices of racial injustice, and when challenged that he was violating the laws of the state, countered: “I appeal to a higher law.” Along the way, King and the civil rights battle became more familiar and acceptable, and King won a Nobel award. But then he exposed the injustice of our engagement in the Viet Nam War, and his popularity plunged again.

The church has a very definite prophetic calling, but that calling can be very unpopular. The existence among us of violence and injustice, and the awesome influence of the principalities and powers of the gun industry should call forth the righteous indignation of any one who professes to be part of the community of the Kingdom of God, and their calling to be instruments of God’s peace and justice. So where is the church’s voice in a country with more guns per capita than any nation on earth, and where 80 persons die each day due to gun violence? Lord have mercy! Christ have mercy! Lord have mercy!