Guns in Church?

Despite the recent shooting in church of high-profile abortion doctor George Tiller, a Kentucky pastor is still inviting his flock to bring their firearms into church.

In dubious celebration of the Second Amendment and the Fourth of July, New Bethel Church in Kentucky has invited its congregants to wear their firearms inside the church on Saturday, June 27.

“We’re just going to celebrate the upcoming theme of the birth of our nation,” said pastor Ken Pagano. “And we’re not ashamed to say that there was a strong belief in God and firearms — without that this country wouldn’t be here.”

According to an ad, the arms-bearing event will also include a handgun raffle, patriotic music and information on gun safety. Pastor Pagono says that private security will check visitors at the door to ensure that the guns are unloaded.

In Kentucky, gun owners are permitted to openly carry guns in public with some restrictions. Concealed weapons must have permits and firearms can’t be taken into places like schools, jails or bars and some other exceptions.

The event at New Bethel Church was planned months before the recent shooting of Dr. Tiller, a tragic event Pagano condemns and says highlights the need to educate the public about gun safety.

For the event, Pagano has encouraged his 150-member congregation to bring a canned good and a friend. As a former marine and handgun instructor, Pagano has said that the event is to promote gun safety, not mix violence and worship.

“Firearms can be evil and they can be useful,” he said. “We’re just trying to promote responsible gun ownership and gun safety.”

Marian McClure Taylor, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, an umbrella organization for 11 Christian denominations in Kentucky, including Pagano’s Protestant church said that while Christian churches promote peace, “most allow for arms to be taken up under certain conditions.”

She added that Pagano assured her that the event would promote responsible gun ownership and that proceeds would go to charity.

While Pagano’s sect tends to be proud gun owners, fearful of the Obama administration restricting gun ownerships, other pastors are less than thrilled to see churches embrace guns.

John Phillips is an Arkansas pastor who was shot twice by a church member for unknown reasons while leading a service in 1986. He still has a bullet lodged in his spine.

He spoke out against a bill in Arkansas that would have allowed guns to be carried in churches in the state.

“A church is designated as a safe haven, it’s a place of worship,” said Phillips, “It is unconscionable to me to think that a church would be a place that you would even want to bring a weapon.”

For more information on the guns in church event, read the original AP article on Yahoo!