… And The Right to Bear Arms.

WOW! How icy our culture is becoming? Cold and slippery…

I received this email during the week from a very good friend. “I do very little social media and mass emails are something I never do but this information needs to be known by any and everyone that values their right to bear arms. I’ve had insurance coverage with MetLife for 21 years. If they are standing against the NRA (defenders of our right to bear arms) I have to find another company to insure with.”

My wife had already read a news article to me saying that United Airlines and Delta were doing the same thing. So I purposed to talk about that among our friends and vote with my feet (or credit cards) and give them as little of my business as possible in the future. And if it’s a matter of conscience to you, either way, I suggest you do the same.

I’m not sure where this is coming from? Why are companies who provide a service to the public trying to tell us about moral or legal issues? Unless they are sure this issue is very popular and will garner them more business and add to their bottom line; then I suppose their motive is greed? Perhaps putting their hope for more profitability ahead of what’s best for the country?

“How do you know it’s not in the best interest of the country?” you might ask. When I asked a dear, wise friend once about how to vote on a constitutional amendment, he told me, “I generally vote against them, because our founding fathers had more wisdom than people do today.”  So I’ll end this writ with how the founding fathers thought about this issue. Besides wisdom, they also have a lot of historical evidence on their side. They thought it very important that the people bear arms, and also not be hampered in doing so. Thus they made it a very pronounced part of the law of the land, the Constitution of the United States of America.

If you read my book, or my blogs, you know I try to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. But today I feel impressed to call a little attention to the darkness and what it’s doing to us. And to encourage us all to be aware, and take some action against this unwholesome tide, slippery as it is, and turning us cold. And at least be aware of what you believe? And Why? And vote with your feet and your check book? And tell your friends how you feel about it, like my friend did when he emailed me.

I’ll close as I said with what the founding fathers said and thought about the arms issue. And especially Thomas Jefferson. I’ve gained a new appreciation for the man and his greatness, along with some great quotes! Besides what he said about gun ownership, I particularly like what he said about disagreements. And that sort of gets back to the cold issue of friendships dividing, on social media and physically, over these type issues, as well as companies starting to divide their customers over these issues. A sad commentary on our interesting times, is it not?

Fear not. We have the light of the Lord and the Bible to show us the way. And instruction to let that light show through us, as we’re also salty: providing savor, and preserving the truth in our culture, to the extent He empowers us to do so. 🙂 Enjoy your journey! And keep letting your light shine.

“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”   Thomas Jefferson

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“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” Thomas Jefferson

“The laws that forbid the carrying of arms… disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.” Thomas Jefferson

“When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” Thomas Jefferson

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
– Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined…. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.”
– Patrick Henry, Speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778

“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.”
– Samuel Adams, Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788