Do you bring your knife to Church?

W

Will

Joined
Jan 4, 2003
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At scout camp everyone is requiered to leave their knives outside Chapel in a log before entering. The kids are told that weapons are not to be brought into a church or chapel. I don't think it is fair to consider knives (especially the ones carried by hte kids which are mostly SAKs) as weapons. It only encourages them to think of their knives as weapons rather than tools. Scout camp is one place where the kids have a real chance to use knves properly and recognize how useful they are as tools.

Anyway, I agree church is no place for weapons, I just don't think that knives, especially field type knives in a scout camp come even remotly close to weapons. I just don't see a reason to treat them that way - especially in scout camp where they are being carried and used as tools.

Do you guys bring your knives to Church?

In camp I don't (have to follow the rules and set the example for the kids). Outside of scouting, I don't usually worry about it.

Will
 
All the time. As an Eagle Scout (Troop 2, Appleton, Wisconsin), I cherish my scouting training and experience. Knives, bows and .22 rifles didn't carry any stigma back when I was a Scout. Sounds to me like some bureaucrat in the Scouting system (they're everywhere, just like mould) probably pulled that rule out of his butt.

(On the other hand, I rarely go into a church with four walls and a roof, and then only under protest. My church has four directions and an open sky. ;) )
 
That seems like a crazy over-reaction. Do they think the kids will have some sort of gang rumble in church?

You are exactly right that now the kids think "forbidden weapons" rather than "useful tools."

Its just sad. :confused:
 
I found this on the net.

The Command of Christ
And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end." So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough." -Luke 22:35-38
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Jesus did not prohibit his disciples from having lethal weapons, but instead made sure that at
least some of His disciples had them. He even suggested the method of funding for the purchase
of weapons. "Sell your garment" implies the fairly basic necessity of them being armed during
their travels. This cannot refer to a "spiritual" sword since a "spiritual" money bag and
knapsack and garment would seem to be stretching an interpretation to fit a preconceived idea.
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Note: I'm Jewish, not Christian, so it's just my observation.
 
I don't know about knives, but I know a couple of guys of the Jewish persuasion who don't go to worship without their Glocks.

...little habit they happened to pick up in Israel. :D
 
I'm likelier to show up without my pants than without a couple knives. Screw the camp rules I send my sons with at least a small multiblade knife and a Bic lighter. I am morally opposed to letting them out of town without a knife and a source of fire. If they get kicked out of camp it is fine with me. I only tolerate airplane and court rules since they use metal detectors. My survival takes precedence over any kind of regulations.
 
No one ever asked not to and unless it is illegal I always have at least one knife with me.
 
I always carry both a locking folder and a SAK to church.
I've fixed a doorknob with a SAK's screwdriver, and use whichever knife I'm carrying for opening packages of tapes, or cutting label sheets. Sunday I used my small Sebenza to cut out a newspaper article, and trim some shrubs that had grown through the railing by the front steps.
I always have a knife, 'cause I never know when I'll need one. Church is no exception.
 
When I was a Christian, I went to a small baptist church where the preacher was a knife nut, he carried Benchmades in each front pocket.

Now that I am Buddhist, I carry everywhere, accept in the presence of my local Monk when I visit the temple.
 
When I lived in Iowa, I was representing the Board of Christian Education at a Church Council meeting one evening. Our representative of the Board of Elders came in several minutes late, obviously rushing, and took the only remaining seat exactly across the table from Pastor Johnson. Pastor Johnson looked directly at him and with a harsh tone very uncharacteristic of Pastor Johnson said, "Detective Benson, we've discussed this in the past."

And Rick started going into "I'm very sorry I'm late... there was an emergency call..."

"No. Your GUN!"

"Haaaaah!" And with that, Detective Rick Benson jumped up and ran out of the room.

Our Pastor then reminded us that Elder Benson was a police detective and had his gun under his jacket. Apparently, the Pastor had seen it when he sat down. Pastor Johnson then explained to us that it is inappropriate to bring a weapon into a church.

Detective Benson returned a few minutes later, quickly opened his jacket to show the empty shoulder holster, and then took his seat and we resumed our meeting.



Some time later, I came to the church early one morning for some reason I don't remember and there were about a half-dozen police cars parked out front and people standing around and so forth. One of the other members stopped me as I cautiously approached and explained, "Someone broke into the church. There's some damage and some things stolen. We can't go in yet; the police are still investigating." And I then noticed that, indeed, the front door was broken and one of the officers was dusting for fingerprints. I also noticed that Pastor Johnson was standing guard at the door of his church and no officer went in or out unless his holster was empty.

I also know, though that Pastor Johnson himself carries a pocket knife.

I always carry a knife to church. Many times I've shaved a candle, cut a loose thread, opened a box, or helped in some other practical way with it.

It's a very, very weak argument, but it is not unreasonable to suspect that Jesus himself carried some simple knife for utility purposes, most men of his day did. If he hadn't, it would have been very unique and probably would have been mentioned. (Again, a very weak argument, but sensible nonetheless.)

The question to ask is: what is your motive for carrying the knife. You see, sin isn't always as simple as an act but also the why behind the act.
 
Jeff Clark said:
I'm likelier to show up without my pants than without a couple knives. Screw the camp rules I send my sons with at least a small multiblade knife and a Bic lighter. I am morally opposed to letting them out of town without a knife and a source of fire. If they get kicked out of camp it is fine with me. I only tolerate airplane and court rules since they use metal detectors. My survival takes precedence over any kind of regulations.
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Well said! :D
 
i always carry at least one knife in Church. it is not carried as a weapon, but as a tool. however, if for some horrible reason it were necessary to use a knife to defend myself or anyone else while i'm there, i would not hesitate. i can't help but feel He would understand. :)

abe m.
 
Will said:
At scout camp everyone is requiered to leave their knives outside Chapel in a log before entering. The kids are told that weapons are not to be brought into a church or chapel.
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This is a long standing tradition, mostly because the priests/pastors don't want to get murdered.

Will said:
I don't think it is fair to consider knives (especially the ones carried by hte kids which are mostly SAKs) as weapons. It only encourages them to think of their knives as weapons rather than tools. Scout camp is one place where the kids have a real chance to use knives properly and recognize how useful they are as tools.
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Yes, but the clerics are still in fear of their lives, and for good reason.

Will said:
Anyway, I agree church is no place for weapons
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Why?

Will said:
I just don't think that knives, especially field type knives in a scout camp come even remotly close to weapons. I just don't see a reason to treat them that way - especially in scout camp where they are being carried and used as tools.
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You are correct, they are far too small.

Will said:
Do you guys bring your knives to Church?
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No, I would never go to any church.

Will said:
In camp I don't (have to follow the rules and set the example for the kids). Outside of scouting, I don't usually worry about it.
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Well said, you should not worry in any case.

As long as you remember that there are no fairies, hobgoblins, heaven, UFOs, enormous ants, angels, leuprechans, ghosts, trolls, precognition, aliens, souls , miracles, magic, little green men, deamons, god, wishing on a star or the benefits of eating the brain of your opponent.....you might be fine.

I wish you luck (something I cannot control),


steve
 
Jesus loves you and he loves knives too! He was a carpenter you know. I am sure he could really carve and whittle.
 
Steve-O said:
As long as you remember that there are no fairies, hobgoblins, heaven, UFOs, enormous ants, angels, leuprechans, ghosts, trolls, precognition, aliens, souls , miracles, magic, little green men, deamons, god, wishing on a star or the benefits of eating the brain of your opponent.....you might be fine.

I wish you luck (something I cannot control),

steve
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yawn. inappropriate. clearly this thread was aimed at those who do attend church. i'm quite sure it was not intended for you to use it as your atheistic/agnostic soapbox. save all that for the Community forums, please.

abe m.
 
kinda reminds me ...Did you hear about the Rabbi who did not charge for circumcisms... he only took tips! :p
 
I found that our church crowd is actually more accepting than the general populace. I even saw a guy the other Sunday with a Leatherman on his hip -- warmed my heart. :)

- Mark
 
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