I obviously have too much time on my hands, but, I got to wondering. I know that religions like the Amish abhor violence, but do they own firearms for protecting their livestock, or hunting? In America, there are many pacifist religions and I am curious as to whether or not any of them actually ban firearms ownership. I am just trying to educate myself, not disparage any religion. Lee.

To answer your question....I believe that Quakers also do not utilize firearms.

Not quite firearms ownership, but pacifism is often associated with Quakers, Seventh Day Adventists, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
One wonders whether all the other pacifist religions just went extinct!
I do not mean to take over the original intent of the post, but I cannot help but wonder about the following:

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

I cannot help but believe that there is an element of truth to this quote.

Peter.

A guy I work with has land in Pennsylvania, they let the Amish kids hunt their land. So that bunch of Amish have guns.

M

I'm not sure on guns but several years ago when we had a tornado in Jarrell, Tcx. there was a van load of Amish that came down here from Pa. to volunteer their help on rebuilding the community free of charge. They did have power tools but they were owned by the community not them personally. This crew was the framers after they were through they went back up north + the trim carpenters came down. In the interim, they looked after each others farms in their absence. I have a lot of respect for those folks.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Not quite firearms ownership, but pacifism is often associated with Quakers, Seventh Day Adventists, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
One wonders whether all the other pacifist religions just went extinct!
I do not mean to take over the original intent of the post, but I cannot help but wonder about the following:

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

I cannot help but believe that there is an element of truth to this quote.

Peter.

And Amish, Mennonites, and Brethren. Pacifism doesn't prohibit firearms ownership, only violence toward fellow humans.
Contrast this with the Violence Policy Center...

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Not quite firearms ownership, but pacifism is often associated with Quakers, Seventh Day Adventists, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
One wonders whether all the other pacifist religions just went extinct!
I do not mean to take over the original intent of the post, but I cannot help but wonder about the following:

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

I cannot help but believe that there is an element of truth to this quote.

Peter.

I know a Seventh Day Adventist that hunts regularly and ran into one of the local JWs at a recent gun show.

Grizz

The Amish in southern Illinois hunt and it's not unusual to see the young men riding bicycles with a cased shotgun slung over their back as they head out hunting. The locals say the Amish ask permission to hunt other peoples land during the deer season and save their land for deer hunting when the season is closed.

As presented, this is far from being a simple question.

I think we would all agree that "religion", as commonly defined, preceded "firearms", also as commonly defined. The concept of "firearm" came long after the tenants of religion.

Firearms have many uses. So, in what context? For example, firearms have an undisputed place as a tool in the maintenance of a nature-based sustainable life style among many indigenous peoples, but are considered in a negative context as a "weapon". And, in this context, what would be the difference between a firearm and archery tack? Both can be used to sustain life, both can be used to take life.

So....how has the introduction of the firearm in modern society effected religious views? And why? You have 50 minutes to write your answers.

With respect to the OP....I, too, guess I have too much time on my hands.

Best.........!!

quote:

Both can be used to sustain life, both can be used to take life

Broading the context, but this applies to just about every tool. Captain Cook, when he visited the Pacific Islands (not just Hawaii but also many islands around New Zealand) gave and traded metal axes. Iron is unknown in the Pacific Islands. He thought he was doing them a favor because they could be used to cut down trees. He was disappointed to find on his return visits, that they were also used as weapons!
He may have been naive as many of the Pacific Island races are quite warlike eg. Maori's.
Peter.

Yep, + they ate his heart too.

I admire the Amish, too, Randy.

Me too. I've been around the Amish my whole life and the general rule is simply not to do anything "proud". Hunting is part of their lifestyle. But, you won't find any custom rifles in their hands.

quote:

Originally posted by Grizzly Adams1:

I know a Seventh Day Adventist that hunts regularly and ran into one of the local JWs at a recent gun show.

Grizz

Ditto

I know SDA and Amish who are big into guns.

Religion that prohibits firearms - American Progressivists. (a form of satanic cult).

I suppose that I can safely assume you are speaking of the liberal left in general to which I would agree. The only similarity to religion that I can think of however is that age-old adage of the misconception that "God is on our side."

I can assume that most of you have seen this month "American Rifleman" mag. + the article about the church shooting + the parishioner here in Texas that killed the mass murderer before he got too far + the B.S. spouted by Bloomberg + his ilk. Same old liberal diatribe, no one but the military, police, + HIS bodyguards should be allowed to own weapons. I KNOW that I'm preaching to the choir but what kind of insanity allows people to think that suppression of self-defense unto murderers is any kind of viable option?