Since when did it become necessary to "pack heat" to attend a worship service? Apparently, at least one Georgia pastor and pro-weapons advocate think it is and are upset by a federal judge's decision to uphold the state's law which bans. weapons in churches, mosques and synagogues. Said Ed Stone, former president of GeorgiaCarry.org and member of the Baptist Tabernacle in Thomaston "they (worshippers) should be able to arm themselves 'for the protection of their families and themselves' without fear of arrest and prosecution on a misdemenaor charge." The church's pastor, Jonathan Wilkins, agrees saying he wanted to have a gun for his protection while working in his office at the church. Apparently these arguments didn't sway U.S. District Judge Ashley Royal who wrote his opinion that "the Thomaston church had not claimed its' members belief requires that any member carry a firearm, into the Tabernacle, whether during worship services or otherwise."
[Link to GeorgiaCarry.org: http://www.georgiacarry.org/]
Instead of agreeing with the judge, church members feel their efforts to practice their faith has been "impermissbly burdened". I'm not sure at all what that means so I'm guessing it means the judge didn't have their permission to burden them with his ruling. Just as confusing to me is a statement written by Mr. Stone in a filing with the Court: "In very large part, my motivation to carry a firearm as a matter of habit derives from one of my Lord's last recorded statements at the Last Supper, that 'whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one' . . . I believe this injunction requires me to obtain, keep, and carry a firearm wherever I happen to be." The verse Mr. Stone is quoting is found in Luke 22:36 and is Jesus' instructions to his disciples when the are on the road about His business . . . not when they are in His house.
Until next time . . .
[Link to GeorgiaCarry.org: http://www.georgiacarry.org/]
Instead of agreeing with the judge, church members feel their efforts to practice their faith has been "impermissbly burdened". I'm not sure at all what that means so I'm guessing it means the judge didn't have their permission to burden them with his ruling. Just as confusing to me is a statement written by Mr. Stone in a filing with the Court: "In very large part, my motivation to carry a firearm as a matter of habit derives from one of my Lord's last recorded statements at the Last Supper, that 'whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one' . . . I believe this injunction requires me to obtain, keep, and carry a firearm wherever I happen to be." The verse Mr. Stone is quoting is found in Luke 22:36 and is Jesus' instructions to his disciples when the are on the road about His business . . . not when they are in His house.
Until next time . . .
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