God and Guns

Here's an interesting article that's sure to raise some hackles:

The Washington Times: Preaching for God and guns

Black ministers practicing politics from the pulpit are nothing new. Since the genesis of the modern civil rights movement a half-century ago, no group has had more influence on the politics of rank-and-file black voters than their clergy.

But seldom have black preachers mixed Bible readings, political debate and target practice.

Meet Kenneth Blanchard, the "Pistol Packing Preacher." That is the title of a motivational compact disc aimed at black and Hispanic audiences, his chosen demographic for preaching about the "sacred right" to self-defense.

"Gun rights are civil rights," says Mr. Blanchard, who is licensed as an assistant minister by the Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Washington. "Self-defense is a divine right." [...]

Asked to reconcile his self-defense advocacy with the Christ's admonition to turn the other cheek, Mr. Blanchard said the two philosophies are compatible.

"Jesus was not some pacifist wimp, as many like to portray him, but a really tough guy," Mr. Blanchard said. "His advice to turn the other cheek did not mean to lie down and give up, but to be cool, careful and calculated. It means to control your emotions and actions through inner, spiritual strength, to not react in anger or rage, but carefully."

The article goes on to talk about how gun rights played a significant role in the early civil rights movement.

I have to say that Mr. Blanchard's interpretation of "turn the other cheek" is similar to mine. To me, it means that you should control your anger and not be vengeful. I don't think it is telling people not to defend themselves and others from harm, because defense and vengeance are two completely different things. Defense of self and others is motivated by love, whereas vengeance is motivated by hate.

(Hat tip: laughin.)