Monday, October 02, 2006

Lord of War, and other musings

I watched Lord of War this weekend, and found it provoking the interior argument it was designed for. A pillar of George Soros' drive to restrict the trade of small arms is the thought that if people don't have guns,they won't kill each other. It's a bit naive, as we saw in Rwanda and other african massacres, machetes are cheaper and don't require bullets. Shall we ban machetes as well, why not fingernail clippers too?

Still, should we be making murder easier and more efficient for belligerant parties? Killing a dozen people with a machete takes much longer than with a semi auto/automatic rifle. Sure, If we don't sell them the weapons, they'll just buy them from someone else. But it's a matter of conscience.

In our own country, gun violence is of a different character. We have a subculture, spawned by the formerly oppressed, that values the claiming of authority through the threat and use of firearms. While not a campaign of ethnic cleansing, it is still unhealthy for our society, and presents a threat to social order. Shall we ban handguns in this country? The NRA would beg to differ, but I may have the apostle Paul on my side..

1 Corinthians 8:7-n

7 But there is not knowledge in every one. For some until this present, with conscience of the idol: eat as a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall we have the more; nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less. 9 But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a stumblingblock to the weak. 10 For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols?

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died? 12 Now when you sin thus against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.


Does our liberty regarding firearms become a stumbling block for the weak? Yes, as does our liberty with entertainment, consumerism, and sex. Look at all the people stumbling around and falling flat on their faces, tripping over our freedoms. Our country is littered with spiritual landmines. What now?

2 comments:

Dad29 said...

Wish it were merely the USA...

Venezuela intends to use its AK-47 manufacturing license to supply "needs in Africa."

Frankly, I'd rather use an M16A2 or the civilian equivalent, the AR-15. It's accurate, anyway...

Better choice is the .30-06, of course. Larger and far more potent slug/muzzle force.

Brother James said...

The .30-06 cartridge is too hard for those Ugandan kids to fire, an AK-47 chambered for 5.45mm x 39mm rounds would help there.

Somehow, I think the point was lost..