Pastor Who Calls Police Because He Was Assaulted Gets Arrested

[jim360]

https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/pastor-criminal-charge-dropped-struggle-not-finished/article_94cc6488-bf90-5133-b413-6f77ae7133f2.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/black-pastor-who-called-911-after-alleged-attack-was-arrested-n1231005

Let's be clear here: the pastor did nothing wrong at all. He defended his property, exercising his 2nd Amendment rights, called the police when he needed back-up -- and *he* was the one who ended up arrested, and then charged?

This is the sort of problem that can get lost when focusing on police brutality. There's something broken about a system where this can possibly be the result. Luckily the charges were dropped, and luckily no lives have been ruined, but it seems reasonable that it was a matter of luck rather than judgement. Imagine being told that *you* were the one to be arrested, imagine how easy it would be to lose your temper at the raging injustice, and imagine how easy it would be for a police officer to use your anger as justification for an aggressive response.

[andy-hughes]

Mozz - // We have no idea of he was prepared to use it or not, he could easily have used the gun in order to frighten off the group. //

Let's be realistic here shall we?

A person who goes to the trouble of buying a gun and getting a permit to carry it is more than likely going to be someone who is aware that carried guns very quickly become fired guns, and if you are facing down someone with a gun with your own gun, you'd better be prepared to use it, before he does.

So the idea that he was going to face five hostile and potentially dangerous individuals and simply wave his gun around and let himself be aimed at without reacting is really not going to fly.

// As for why he owns one? Open your eyes to what is happening in America Andy. He'd be foolish to not have a weapon right now. He maybe a pastor, but he's a black man first, and if racists see him, his religion will not be the first thing they see, will it? //

I don't need a lesson in civil unrest in the US thank you.

The notion that all black people would be foolish not to go around armed is frankly one of the most ludicrous things I have ever read on this site.

But as a Man of God, surely he can rely on God to protect him from the attacks of people here on earth? He is God's servant, and God will be looking after him - unless of course God decides that it is his time to ascend into heaven, and he gets shot dead, but either way, that is God's will, and who is he to thwart it by possibly taking the life of another of God's children?

This is not my philosophy, obviously, but then, I'm not a Man of God, and I wouldn't even hold a gun, so it's not a problem I am ever going to face.

Held guns become used guns - they are not things ministers of the Lord should possess, much less be waving around on their front lawn.

[retrocop]

The trouble is that statistics trotted out in the States, which have to be quickly updated regularly, appears to show that too many wrong people possess guns for the wrong reasons.

[retrocop]

I believe there is actually a Christian Church in the States where the congregation are encouraged to attend with their firearms. Any new acquisitions are blessed and all but Christened. I kid you not.

[andy-hughes]

retrocop - // The trouble is that statistics trotted out in the States, which have to be quickly updated regularly, appears to show that too many wrong people possess guns for the wrong reasons. //

No argument there, and we do have to add in the pastor here - one more 'wrong person' possessing a gun for the 'wrong' reasons, because any 'reason' why a man of God carries a lethal weapon is a 'wrong' reason.

[andy-hughes]

retro - Here you go -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43231638

I can't help but think they have somewhat lost their way with the 'Peace and love for your fellow Man … ' bit in their bibles.

[retrocop]

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psych-unseen/201803/worshipping-the-ar-15-cult-church-or-the-american-way

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5071097/NY-church-invites-congregation-bring-guns-service.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/guns-god-growing-number-churches-want-armed-security-n963031

[andy-hughes]

Like I say, your God protects you, or he takes you into heaven, His Call - so what gives these people the right to put a spoke in God's wheel by shooting people, or at the very least, stopping people from shooting them, which must be God's will for them, or it wouldn't happen.

I sense something of a faith crisis here …

[douglas9401]

God helps those who help themselves, apparently.

[Mozz71]

There's such thing as a worst case scenario Andy, better to have what you don't need than need what you don't have.

//I don't need a lesson in civil unrest in the US thank you.//

Then stop continuing to ignore it.

//The notion that all black people would be foolish not to go around armed is frankly one of the most ludicrous things I have ever read on this site.//

Then I suggest you read a little more. We're not talking about suburban England here, we're talking about America and it's grotesque gun culture. If people who hate you for no reason other than your appearance are weaponised, then best you have something to defend yourself and your family with. None of us know if this pastor carroes a gun as a matter of course, that's just conjecture on your behalf. It coul d just have been in a drawer on his property, and he grabbed it just in case.

//But as a Man of God, surely he can rely on God to protect him from the attacks of people here on earth? He is God's servant, and God will be looking after him - unless of course God decides that it is his time to ascend into heaven, and he gets shot dead, but either way, that is God's will, and who is he to thwart it by possibly taking the life of another of God's children?//

Soounds to me that you're letting your dislike of organised religion overwhelm your grasp of logic. If what you say is true, then maybe it's also God's will that the pastor arms himself. Sounds as if God is in control of all the actions here. Or none. Yes, I'll go for none.

[andy-hughes]

Mozz - We can go round this as long as you like, but the inescapable fact is that a man of faith and religion carrying a gun flies in the face of that faith and religion.

The defence of colour, civil unrest and so on is just background noise - the fact is, a man of faith who makes a living preaching love and compassion and forgiveness cannot be a man who carries a gun and appears ready to use it.

[Mozz71]

So to prove your faith and belief in God, make yourself an unarmed target for those who hate you, because a bullet fired at you is God's will (but not a bullet fired by you).

And you say the things I wrote were ludicrous.

[Neveracrossword]

A-H, your 'the fact is...' is completely erroneous - it's your opinion, nothing more.

[douglas9401]

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Praise the Lord and swing into position
Can't afford to be a politician
Praise the Lord, we're all between perdition
And the deep blue sea
Yes the sky pilot said it
Ya gotta give him credit
For a sonofagun of a gunner was he
Shouting Praise the Lord, we're on a mighty mission
All aboard, we ain't a-goin' fishin'
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord (Praise the Lord) and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition
And we'll all stay free

[andy-hughes]

Mozz - // So to prove your faith and belief in God, make yourself an unarmed target for those who hate you, because a bullet fired at you is God's will (but not a bullet fired by you). //

The 'So' Rule in action yet again.

I never said anything about 'proving faith' - I simply pointed out that a man who makes a living preaching the Word of God could reasonably be expected to live by it himself, and the excludes carrying lethal weapons around.

It's not use getting cross with me, I didn't invent Christianity, I simply point out the hypocrisies of it when I see them, and this is one of them.

You cannot stand up on Sunday and get paid to say 'Love your fellow Man …' and then be prepared to kill that same fellow Man when he dumps a freezer on your lawn on Monday, it's hypocrisy writ large, and it's beyond defence.


And you say the things I wrote were ludicrous.

[Mozz71]

//and then be prepared to kill that same fellow Man when he dumps a freezer on your lawn on Monday, it's hypocrisy writ large, and it's beyond defence.//

How about the group of people tresspassing on your property, shouting abuse and threatening to kill you? He is not allowed to defend himself?

Oh, and screw your "so rule".

[douglas9401]

I feel a Site Rules moment coming.

Get out while you can Mozz. :-)

[Mozz71]

Douglas, I thought the "so rule" was a thing people say rather than a proper site rule.

[douglas9401]

It is but you're being lured into a parallel universe. Beware.

[douglas9401]

Oooh, that's two profanities. Demerit points for sure. :-)