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3 Possible Reasons Why Catholics & Evangelicals Differ on Gun Control (Do You Agree?)

Jan. 17, 2013 12:09pm Billy Hallowell

Dr. Robert P. Jones Highlights 3 Reasons Catholics & Evangelicals Differ on Gun Control | Public Religion Research Institute

Credit: Getty Images

Statistics show that there are some major differences among faith groups when it comes to their views on gun control. Naturally, more progressive Christians are going to favor additional restrictions on firearms when compared to their conservative peers. But what about differences as they exist between specific denominations? In a recent blog entry on the Washington Post’s web site, Dr. Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), highlighted why he believes that evangelicals and Catholics differ so fervently when it comes to this key issue.

Previously, TheBlaze reported on a study that was conducted by PRRI and Religion News Service (RNS). It found that people of divergent faiths — mainly the Catholic, Protestant and evangelical traditions — do, indeed, have diverse views on gun control. Jones relied upon these results to detail his theory on the matter.

Conducted in early August, the study found that 52 percent of the nation wants stricter gun laws, while 44 percent does not. But when it comes to Catholics and evangelicals, differences over firearms control are even more notable. While 62 percent of Catholic adherents want stricter laws on the matter, only 35 percent of white evangelical Protestants agree (and 42 percent of white mainline Protestants). White evangelicals are also much more likely to believe that people should be able to carry concealed firearms in churches and places of worship.

In his blog post, Jones provides even more of these intriguing indicators, showcasing that America’s faith community surely doesn’t speak with one, cohesive voice on the issue. Additionally, he explains the reasoning behind these differences, particularly when it comes to Catholics and white evangelical Protestants:

But religious groups do not speak with one voice on the issue of gun control. On one hand, the religiously unaffiliated (60 percent), minority Protestants such as African Americans (69 percent), and Catholics (62 percent) all favor stricter gun control laws. On the other hand, a majority of white mainline Protestants (53 percent) and more than 6-in-10 (61 percent) white evangelical Protestants oppose stricter gun control laws.

These findings-from a survey conducted after last summer’s mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater but before the Newtown shooting-expose an intriguing rift between Catholics and white evangelical Protestants, religious groups for whom a “pro-life” ethos is central. Approximately 8-in-10 white evangelical Protestants (80 percent) and Catholics (77 percent) say that “pro-life” describes them somewhat or very well, yet Catholics are far more likely to connect their “pro-life” identity with gun control issues. This divide is embedded in three fundamental differences between Catholics and white evangelical Protestants: divergent native strains of “pro-life” theology, contrasting cultural contexts, and conflicting approaches to social problems.

Credit: AP

These three elements, according to Jones, can be boiled down to the different lenses through which Catholics and white evangelicals view the “pro-life” issue. While Catholics have a history of extending this worldview beyond abortion (to addressing poverty, the death penalty and other related issues), evangelicals generally do not have this same ideological tradition.

(1) Pro-life theological constructs, as Jones contends, have “no parallel history of flourishing over such wide terrain” in evangelical circles. Plus, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a history of calling for gun restrictions (read this 1975 proclamation detailing a push to crack down on handguns) — something that might impact their current agreement that the government must do more to crack down on weapons.

(2) On the cultural front, geography matters. Catholics are generally more likely than white evangelical Protestants to live in urban areas, thus they are — according to Jones — less likely to live within cultures that embrace firearms, hunting and similar societal themes. While these evangelicals overwhelmingly live in households that possess at least one gun (59 percent), fewer than one-third (32 percent) of Catholics report the same. This, of course, translates into personal views held on the issue of gun control — opinions that differ greatly based upon levels of experience and familiarity.

(3) Jones also contends that Catholics are more likely than their white evangelical Protestant counterparts to agree with “institutional rather than individualistic solutions to social problems.” Obviously, some will disagree with this notion, but based on polling numbers, the majority of adherents to the Catholic faith believe that stricter laws are the way to go when it comes to reducing gun violence. For more about this issue, see TheBlaze’s previous report.

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Comments (154)

Chuck T
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 7:26pm
I think the diversity of opinion among the public comes primarily from two causes: a fundamental lack of knowledge of how our government was designed to operate, how our Constitution functions, and the eschewing of morality teaching from the earliest ages on, originating (or failing to originate) both in the schools and in the media. Consider the admonition of the Supreme Court in Graham v. Stone, 1980: “If the posted copies of the Ten Commandments are to have any effect at all, it will be to induce the schoolchildren to read, meditate upon, perhaps to venerate and obey, the Commandments. However desirable this might be as a matter of private devotion, it is not a permissible state objective under the Establishment Clause.”

Note that: “…not a permissible STATE objective.”

Within the churches themselves, there are fundamental differences in doctrines, with many churches drifting away from the foundational teachings of the Bible. For example,it appears (or at least is a perception from the Protestant side) that most Roman Catholics are less likely to dwell on study of the Bible itself, and rely instead on a few basic precepts, preaching and rituals instead.

On the Protestant side, various churches either dwell on a single portion of the Bible (i.e., New Testament churches), or bury themselves intensely into the whole Bible, concentrating on the context, continuity and cohesion of the whole Scripture.

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sondoggie
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:26pm
The Jews wrote the Old Testament, and the Jews wrote the New Testament. The Catholics put together a bible to suit what they wanted to teach those in their faith what they wanted them to believe, much of it in no way was Holy Scripture. It was the Catholics who put to death Tyndale who tried tp put together a true bible and they put him to death. It was John Calvan who had Servatus burned at the stake for preaching truth. Catholic hierarchy has always tried to keep the Holy Bible out of the hands of the common people, lest they might learn the truth.

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- njvoter123
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 7:45pm
  That is just silly. The new testament was written by the first christians, many of whom were former Jews, and perhaps even considered themselves Jews…but Jews who believed that the prophecy of the Messiah had been fulfilled in Jesus. They were the EARLY CHURCH. There was at that time, and for 1600 years afte only one church, the CATHOLIC CHURCH, which means universal btw. The Church did not seek to keep the bible from people, but she did seek to assure that copies (which until the printing press appeared were produced by manual copying) were faithful to the originals and that translations into other languages were accurate. Yes, the Church defined the canon. Why? Because there were false gospels which were written and were circulating and leading people away from the true faith. Want to know what the earliest christians believed? Get a book by Jimmy Akin, The Fathers Know Best which have plenty of writings from the earliest centuries…
  
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AzThunder
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:23pm
Progressive Christian = Oxymoron

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Tex Expatriate
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:18pm
Speaking as an Anglican Catholic informed by Vedanta (Anglican Catholics belong to the branch of Catholicism that with Orthodox Catholicism is more orthodox or pure than Roman Catholicism), I would say that the main reason for this difference in attitudes about guns is that Romish Catholics are indoctrinated to be romantic sissies about Christ and are never taught Christ’s core message. Christ taught (as do Buddhists and Hindus) that the object of devotion is to eliminate the false self and discover the eternal self, or God Immanent, thereby discovering God transcendent. For those of you who don’t know the word immanent, it means God within you the individual. All major religions except Mohamedism (aka and politically correct Islam) teach that God is at once transcendent and immanent. Christ never taught that a follower should impose his or her personal views on others, so all plain-jane socialists, Communists, and Nazis who are also Christian should wise up. They won’t. It’s more important to them to be a Commie, Nazi, or Liberal than to be a Christian.

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RaydocX
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:52pm
This poll/ study betrays its bias at the outset…
49% of the population own a firearm… A percentage of the remaining understand the importance of the second amendment, and as a self and freedom protection, not a hunting permission, and oppose ‘stronger gun control laws’… So by definition less than 50% support the vaguely defined ‘stronger gun control’

In point of fact, most gun owners probably DO support reasonable steps… My state already has no ‘gun show loophole’. But when the President continues to vilify MSRs rather tan adressibg the underlying issue, this is all clearly political, not an honest response to the tragedy… To no ones surprise.

My enduring fee is that having defended this attack on the constitution the media will so vilify the GOP the fight can be fought again after 2014 with full dem control a la 2008, which would be horrific.

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Annekin
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:48pm
Most Catholics I know support the Constitution. Don’t mistake the opinions of “Catholics” in Congress, as representing Catholics. Also, everyone knows that the main stream media lies about everything: like the Criminal in Chief, and his worshipping lap dogs better know and his administration and many in Congress. So, don’t believe everything you read.

Tyrrants like to lie about, intimidate and marginalize those that they see as a threat. That was how Hitler treated the Jews.

What was it that Janet Nappy said? That, Conservatives, Christians, pro-lifers, and veterans are potential terrorists. It’s only a matter of time when these groups will be treated as criminals, while the criminal in the White House will get away with any crime he wants. When people representing any of those groups start disappearing we know that the U.S. Constitution has been nullified and Sadam Hitler has become Dictator in Chief.

Have to wonder, when will BHO order the military to start running down law abiding citizens with tanks? Think China!

When will Sharia law trump the U.S. Constitution?

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rwinger261
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:14pm
My take on the whole thing:

1. Catholics are used to the idea that certain men have complete control over their lives (priests, popes, etc.) and such authority is not be be questioned. Protestants generally have some say in what goes on in their church.

2. Protestants view the “pro-life” issue through the principles of the Bible, not through the Magisterium. The Roman Catholic church tells its people to be “pro-life”, whereas Protestants are told to weigh all things through the Bible. The Bible teaches both the sanctity of life for the innocent and the forfeiting of life for murderers (capitol punishment).

Just a thought.

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- Annekin
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:06pm
  Many protestant churches sanction abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, fetal and embryonic stem-cell research (procured through abortion).
  
  If you think the Catholic church oppresses its people, think again. The Catholic church defines the teachings of Christ and it is up to the individual to follow the teaching. There are no Carholic enforcers! And be assured, many Catholics don’t care what the Church says: they have abortion, are active homosexuals…….. Non-Catholics pastors tell their people how to dress (Nazarenes), what to eat (Seventh Day Adventists), or that if they can justify it, they can do anything they want. Having an abortion is OK if you believe it’s your best choice. Adultery is tolerated. In other word, if it feels good do it. God understands, so it doesn’t matter what you do. Many so called Christian have these attitudes, whether Protestant, or Catholic.
  
  The Catholic Church is full of sinners, and so is every other church.
  
  Report this comment
mcsledge
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:23pm
God inspired the US Constitution, including the Second Amendment. God also gave man his agency (i.e., that ability to act according to one’s conscience).

I would challenge the religious fervor of any man who would concede these God given freedoms by God Himself through our inspired Founding Fathers.

Patriotism is a form of grattitude. Cowardiceness is a form of ingrattitude.

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Bigthan84231
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:18pm
The main problem for Catholicism is that the leadership does not follow the Bible but tradition. Simple example: Jesus very clearly had brothers and sisters (born after Jesus by Mary & Joseph) but the Catholic church teaches Mary was a perpetual virgin and Jesus had no brothers and sisters? Where does the Catholic church get this? Out of thin air. My point is when you don’t follow the Bible as your authority you can believe whatever you want to & that’s why the Catholic leadership is becoming more and more liberal because it doesn’t adhere to the Word of God. I know there are many Catholics that have guns but there shouldn’t be any surprise that the Catholic church is taking on views that are inconsistent with the Bible because the Bible is not their ultimate authority. Before you say I’m Catholic bashing think about Jesus. Was Jesus a Pharisee basher because he pointed out their error and condemned them? I’m not Jesus but there is an example of condemnation from Jesus towards those who had strayed from God’s Word.

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- teapartybrewing
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:41pm
  “The” bible? Which bible exactly are you referring to? Where do you think Protestants got their various versions of the bible? They took the Catholic bible and changed it to their liking. How much have you studied the history of Christianity? There was but one church, the Catholic Church, until the Protestant reformation in 1517, started by Martin Luther. Have you done any studying on him or leaders of other Protestant churches? The Catholic church was started in 33 AD by Jesus Christ. Various humans started all other “Christian” religions. Tradition is extremely important. Without it, we have what we have today, a zillion different interpretations of the Truth. There can only be one truth. Where did the Catholics get this stuff? Considering the Catholic Church was started by Jesus Christ who instructed and entrusted Peter and the other Apostles to start his church, I think a better question would be where do PROTESTANTS get this stuff? How many people were even able to read and write 2,000 years ago? Considering the times, no printing presses, Christians being murdered for practicing their faith, etc., much had to be left to passing by way of Tradition/word of mouth. By the way, Vatican II created a new, Modernist Church, just another Protestant sect, if you will. There are however, some Catholics, who follow the True, pre-Vatican II Catholic teachings. We do not support things like stricter gun control laws, banning guns or abortion.
  
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- Bigthan84231
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 4:26pm
  TeaPartyBrewing,
  
  The Bible that has 66 books in it. The Bible that the early church councils approved as being the authoritative canon of Scripture. The Protestants had an earlier version than the King James and it was called the Tyndale version. But more important than that is you need to know Greek (New Testament) and Hebrew (Old Testament) to be able to translate from the original language to understand the authors original intent. The early church was not the Catholic Church. I’m talking about the church right after Christ departed the earth. There was no Pope, or Priests in the sense we have today. There were elders who oversaw the church. James (the brother of Jesus by the way) was the elder over the church in Jerusalem. Why wasn’t Peter over that church if he was a “Pope?” Tradition is not authority or truth and that was the exact problem with the Pharisees. There is only one truth (like you mentioned) but that’s from God’s word and you can know the intent of the God inspired authors of Scripture. Jesus did not start the Catholic Church. If Jesus did why didn’t He teach about Mary being a perpetual Virgin. Why did Jesus tell John to watch after His mother if she was some kind of Deity? I think we can boil down our theological disagreement to “what is truth?” True believers would answer God’s Word that He communicated to us. Catholics from what I understand would say the Bible yes but also the Pope. Christ is the head of the true church not the Pope!
  
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- tradcatholicgirl
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 7:13pm
  BIGTHAN84231,
  
  The idea that Christ had “brothers and sisters” comes from translation of early Greek.
  
  It is a linguistic and cultural difference between now and the time of early church fathers. When they referred to “brothers” in that culture, it could refer to ANY male relative….cousin, uncle, nephew. “Sisters” could mean nieces, cousins, aunts. .They did not define family in the same specific way we do now.
  
  This is a fact, and has been substantiated by protestant Bible scholars too.
  
  English translation of the Word of God might use phrases and words that mean in English something different from what they meant to biblical Jews and Gentiles.
  
  Another example is the word “servant.” In the original language, the word translated was SLAVE. Can a slave be a servant. Sure. But not all servants are slaves.
  
  And what is meant, in the spiritual sense, when one is called a “Servant of God?” We, in western culture would reject the word “slave!” But in biblical times, that word — in relation to serving God — did not have the negative connotation it does today.
  
  Educate yourself.
  
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The Big Mick
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:11pm
Given the Stark Naked FACT what we are REALLY talking about here is an infringement/abridgement/abrogation of our GOD ENDOWED UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, does anyone find Glenn’s Jesus/Gandhi Non-violence shtick a Cognitive Dissonance of Clinical Denial proportions?
Is anyone buying his premise of The Founders’ “long suffering patience” with such attempted abrogations of THEIR Sacred Liberties?

Between The Stamp and Intolerable Acts etc and the Killing Fields at Lexington and Concord was a decade. We’ve been being Victimized by the Tyranny of DC, enabled by our Fellow Dumbcits, since TEDDY and WILSON! A CENTURY of “long suffering”!

“Patience” as an EXCUSE for Moral and Intellectual COWARDICE?

Washington, upon receiving the news of Lexington and Concord at Mt. Vernon, wrote to a friend: “The once-happy and peaceful plains of America are either to be drenched in blood or inhabited by slaves. Sad alternative, but can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?”

Apparently Glenn believes Hesitation, in this case a CENTURY of it, IS Virtuous.

Theologically, and my M.Div. from Duke gives me street cred for such a critique, Glenn has placed himself in what a British Thinker called a “logical cleft stick”.

Either Glenn believes The Founders were CORRECT when they, in Justification for Armed Rebellion, asserted, in implication if not clear language, “killing Tyrants and Tyrant Enablers is obedience to God”, or they were NOT!

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Beachmastermax
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:11pm
It is a cultural thing. Back in the day, when the Pope was trying to hunt down Martin Luther, the Huegonots and the like, and burn them at the stake for heresy, they knew their mission could be accomplished much easier with sword and bow and arrow control.

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- Dudley Do-Right
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 4:19pm
  The Pope should have been looking for Luther in the synagogues and schools, that’s where he wanted the Jews burned.
  
  http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/Luther_on_Jews.html
  
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ThoreauHD
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:07pm
Normally when you perform polls based on religion, you don’t base it on race. That makes for a flawed result. For example, compare white Catholics to black Protestants(southern baptists) and you’ll see a larger shift in the opposite direction. The only thing this poll shows is that you are a white Protestant with an inferiority complex in regards to Catholics. Please try again.

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American_Made
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:56pm
I abandon my Catholic faith years ago. Won’t have anything to do with it for that very reason along with the fact they tried to hide the pedophiles.

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- teapartybrewing
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:12pm
  The post Vatican II “Catholic” church is not the True, One Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church. I wish people who referenced “Catholics” in articles such as this would distinguish between the True, Traditional pre-Vatican II church and the post Vatican II, non-Catholic, MODERNIST “Catholic” Church. I belong to a Traditional Catholic church, which follows the TRUE teachings of the church. I can almost guarantee you no one who attends this church would support things like stricter gun control laws, banning guns or abortion. It sickens me to read about all the so-called “Catholics” who voted for obama, who supports partial-birth abortion and Marxist, Communist ideologies. Any “True” Catholic would know these things go against the teachings of the Catholic faith. The Modernist Catholic church was indeed infiltrated by anti-Catholics, just as our Government has been infiltrated by Anti-Americans. Think about it – what better way for Communists and other anti-Catholics to destroy The Church, than from within.
  
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- Beachmastermax
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:20pm
  Matthew 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
  
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DeOppressoLiber
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:50pm
Can all the catholics keep giving to the church, just like union members, so the church can work against our rights. Please it is so helpful and it will get you into heaven quicker.

How many catholics voted for Hitler because you could walk the streets at night and not be afraid.

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- angeleyes63
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 4:14pm
  You are so right about the union comment. I called and spoke to the aid to our Cardinal about unions being communist by nature and destructive to America and the aid vehemently denied unions where communist/socialist to the point of getting angry. Makes me think the Catholics are clueless.
  
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Southerner01
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:38pm
Catholics are used to a hierarchy telling them what to do. Protestants are not used to their lives being controlled to that degree.

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- angeleyes63
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 4:08pm
  Good point they have been told what to do so long it is natural for them to fall in line. Great fodder for the commie leaders in our government.
  
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Spitfire1938
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:24pm
Did any of you know that Christ at the “Last Supper” (Luke 22) Douay Rheims, ordered the Apostles to arm themselves? Ann Barnhardt, a militant Roman Catholic, has written eloquently on the subject: http://barnhardt.biz/index.cfm

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- Spitfire1938
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:37pm
  Her site contains a huge number of daily comments, all of which are eminently worth reading… scroll down to “Jesus and guns”
  
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- Beachmastermax
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:43pm
  Matthew19:17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good ? There is only One who is good ; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he said to Him, “Which ones ?” And Jesus said, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER ; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY ; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL ; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS ; 19 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER ; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
  
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Cuthalu
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:16pm
One reason is catholics and others seem to confuse a part of the 10 commandments. The part of “Thou Shall Not Murder” has mistakenly been changed in some circles to suggest “Thou Shall Not Kill”. Which of course are not the same thing and YES it does matter. So if someone says to you “Thou Shall not Murder”, they are lying.
And more than likely that slight “change” very well could be from culture marxist who have gotten inside the churches years ago and changing the words, terms and truths within to entwine with a socialist type belief system that might on the surface LOOK similar to christian teaching but are in fact NOT christian teachings.
Another prime example are global socialsts here and elsewhere purposely misusing the phrase “I am my brothers keeper” to push their socialist/collectivist ideas when that phrase is no where in the bible, it is not a commandment, a teaching nor has anything to do with christianity. The phrase “AM I my brothers keeper?” does appear though but in a smart aleck response to God by Able to a question God already knew the answer to as to where his brother was. God knew. Flipping the words AM I to I AM shows the deception clearly for what it really is.

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- Cuthalu
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:18pm
  Cain, not Able.
  
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- DougHuffman
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:31pm
  Perhaps you ‘misspoke.’
  
  “2262 In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord recalls the commandment, “You shall not kill,” and adds to it the proscription of anger, hatred, and vengeance…(http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7Z.HTM)” Killing in anger, hatred and vengeance is murder.
  
  The Procrustean fallacy is why Catholics are ignorant of their Catechism.
  
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- Beachmastermax
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:34pm
  Jehova Jesus Christ, the angel of the Lord, killed 180,000 Assyrians in one night.
  
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tommytruck
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:15pm
Just a few thoughts:

1. There is an huge difference between what the Catholic Church teaches and what many folks who call themselves Catholic think, feel, and believe.
2. I think that in many ways, some of the “head in the sandness” and embracement of “social justice” and what-not is due to something I simply call: Catholic Guilt. What I am referencing is akin to “White Guilt,” feeling guilty to minorities for the sins of people two-hundred years gone. The Catholic Church has had an ample number of members who have acting in anything other than a Christian manner. The Reformation, really, was in large part a response to the sinfulness of those who abused their authority. Don’t believe me? Throw the word “Crusade” at a Catholic like an epithet and watch them flinch. Nevermind the fact that damn near every biblical non-Catholic Christian sees the danger of Islam, now. (Not “radical Islam” just “Islam.” And rightfully so.)
3. I am a Vet. I am a Catholic. I will take up arms to defend my family, my home, and my country. I may believe that the US is the greatest country in the world. It does NOT mean that all things Capitalistic are correct. I honour my parents, but they have done/said things that are 100% wrong. I honoured them and the Lord, by stating so in love and not backing down from it. Just so, any Christian should be able to look at what Apple does in China and understand it is wrong. (Cont’d…)

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- tommytruck
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:32pm
  4. I need to be a Christian first. In the end, I find that too many Christians treat this world as if IT is what matters, instead of remembering that we are in this world and not of it. In not just the economy of salvation, but in the economy of existence itself, OUR FATHER is the author of all that is. The world can take nothing away from us, yet we act as if it can. I pity that thought and sentiment and think an Atheistic Materialist is less pitiable than a Christian who is that way. The atheist denies God, whereas the Christian believes there is a God – just not that He keeps His Word.
  5. I am starting to get annoyed by the Blaze. There have been several Protestant Vs. Catholic articles. First of all, the Christian world is much more diverse than that polarity – Catholic, Orthodox, Main Line Protestants, Evangelicals, Non-denominational – it is very ignorant reporting. Secondly, it is rich that a site, owned by a Mormon who is ostensibly upset when other denominations insist that Mormons aren’t Christian – seems to be actively baiting other Christians to fight among themselves. It is irresponsible, at best.
  
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jungle J
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:08pm
Many Catholics are religious fanatics as are many other religions followers…Catholics are almost hilarious as citizens. My family is full of them…the women are seemingly all doped up to reality. I think that most religious people cannot be trusted to think in a reality based world.

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dylan
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:07pm
I am Catholic and I DO NOT approve of stricter gun laws. Use the ones already on the books. 2nd amendment is important, very important. O threw out the bait (guns). Deception to divert from the real problem: the economy, STUPID!

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hard.right
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:00pm
This isn’t a hard one. Catholics believe their salvation rest with the pope, their priest, or the virgin mary, or all three…rather than with God and Jesus. It’s not that far of a stretch to assume your salvation is in the government then and that you should continue to ‘obey’ as you do w/ the afore mentioned list of false gods. Christians that believe in salvation thru faith in Christ fear nothing, know we are free, and are beholden to none other than God. Freedom is our right, Christ is where our loyalty lies.

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- tommytruck
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:38pm
  You are incorrect.
  
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walnutportconservative
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:57pm
This born again Christian, who has been blessed over and over, stands on the truth of Christ. He said “render to ceaser what is ceasers”. The guns God has put in my possession, are not the governments.
King Obama is working toward making America, just another country at the table of nations. We can’t be that if the citizens are armed. Christ also suggested we follow the laws of the land. This clown is intentionally causing us to turn to the temptation of lies. King Obama is the king of lies. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. These are exciting time s we live in. King Obama is setting himself up for a global position. Many are jockeying into positions. The Catholic Church is a mess because they lost their bearings. Without bearings, I don’t care what their point of view is. They don’t know what they stand for, and if you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.

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twotoo
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:53pm
I was Catholic for the vast majority of my life but became disillusioned and tired, especially by sermons on social justice (socialism).
I disagreed with Vatican proclamations saying that the world needs 1 central world bank to manage the nations finances and to ensure that third world countries get their “fair share.”
While I am vehemently pro-life, I don’t see the need to keep serial killers and mass murderers alive for decades, at tax payers expense. I will not demonstrate against the death penalty and do nothing about abortion, euthanasia, and the reduction of health benefits for the elderly.
I believe whole heartedly in the 2ND Amendment and will always support the right of Americans to carry, concealed or otherwise.
I hate that the Catholic Church aligns itself with Islam, calling Muslims “dear brothers who believe in the one true God’, while they hammer Israel and distance themselves from Judaism. My G-d does not approve of the murder of apostates, rape victims, homosexuals, Christians, Jews and all so called “infidels”, nor does my God approve of female genital mutilation, jihad by sword or by internet proselytization, beheadings, stonings, cannibalism, etc… How the Pope could call Muslims “brothers who believe in the one true God”, was beyond me?
However, while I have happily left the Catholic Church, and condemn many of her practices and beliefs, I do NOT confuse Vatican hierarchy with the individual Catholic.

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Dudley Do-Right
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:51pm
Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II

Moreover, “legitimate defence can be not only a right but a grave duty for someone responsible for another’s life, the common good of the family or of the State”.44 Unfortunately it happens that the need to render the aggressor incapable of causing harm sometimes involves taking his life. In this case, the fatal outcome is attributable to the aggressor whose action brought it about, even though he may not be morally responsible because of a lack of the use of reason. 45

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Uechi
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:40pm
The Catholic Church is a joke. It has been taken over by leftists who spew ” Social Justice” bull crap and a host of other Progressive views. Just some of the reasons I longer consider myself a Catholic.

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- angeleyes63
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 4:56pm
  @UECHI
  That’s an interesting opinion By the way the left has destroyed so many once honorable proud organizations, and how they have brought our government to it’s knees, I believe you are right. My experience has taught me what ever the left touches turns to ****.
  
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