Do you bring your knife to Church?

[Blue Jays]

Hi Will-

I'm not sure of your location, is this Camp Peeseerunamuck that your son attended?

Sounds to me like a bureaucrat is flexing his muscles and creating some senseless rules for the sake of senseless rules. The unfortunate side effect is that it will help towards creating a generation of nervous, malleable, effeminate men. Our nation will realize the full impact of this serious problem in about twenty-five years.

Good for you for sticking with what you think is right. Tell your son to quietly keep his knife in his pocket (right where it belongs) and WHY this is an absurd, wrong-headed, rule. Illustrate for him how laws and social contracts are created and their critical importance...but also show where some sheeple have lost their way in this world. Teaching him critical decision-making skills will ensure he is a "leader and survivor" when the chips are down. What a great opportunity for a life lesson.

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[Will]

Originally Posted by Will
Anyway, I agree church is no place for weapons

Why?

I guess I don't really care, I don't want get in a whole religious debate. I wouldn't make the rule myself, but it isn't worth opposing either. I suppose church is a place of faith, a place to be at peace.

 

[Blue Jays]

Hi Will-

Had an additional thought...

How would the scoutmasters know whether the boys left their knives in the log, anyway? If they're patting-down the youngsters to check, this camp has much more than knives to worry about.

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[Carthage]

I go to a church where it would be unusual for a male not to be carrying a knife.
I gave both my pastors knives for Christmas and they bring 'em to church and carry 'em in the pulpit with 'em in their jeans pocket.
I go to a very relaxed church.

 

[allyourblood]

I go to a church where it would be unusual for a male not to be carrying a knife.
I gave both my pastors knives for Christmas and they bring 'em to church and carry 'em in the pulpit with 'em in their jeans pocket.
I go to a very relaxed church.

nice! glad to hear it.

abe m.

 

[underaged!]

Only when someone died. But then that's pretty much the only time I go.

 

[OwenM]

You know, I didn't mention this before, but seeing the views about knives as weapons and not being appropriate in a church brought back a lot of memories.
The church my grandparents went to when I was young was in a bad area. My grandmother and grandfather both carried revolvers, along with their Bibles.
I'm pretty sure the preacher carried a pistol, though he didn't advertise it, and I know he had a Browning Hi-Power in his office for when he was there alone.
Our current church is also in an area that is less than ideal, has been broken into, and my grandmother's car was stolen from the parking lot on a Saturday when the ladies' group was meeting.
We are a small group. Mostly elderly people, several in poor health, and I am the only one likely to defend them in the event something bad happens. I sit at the back. I'm the one who investigates noises in the parking lot during services, confronts the thugs who think our parking lot is there for them to hang out in, and checks to see who comes in the outer doors after the service starts.
I don't think that it is inappropiate for me to carry in the knife, either as a tool, or in the sense that I am "armed" with a weapon.
Perhaps in my case, particularly considering that I've had to deal with panhandlers wanting money interrupting the services on several occasions, I should be thinking about carrying something more adequate, instead of less.
After all, aside from gas stations or stores in the area I work in, church is probably the place that I am at the most risk at this point in my life.
Hmmm...

 

[Will]

Hi Will-

I'm not sure of your location, is this Camp Peeseerunamuck that your son attended?

Nope, Tamaracouta Scout Reserve, in Quebec. It is a great camp, and the oldest continuous operating scout camp in the workd. It is a beautiful property and has great facilities and program. In no way do I mean to knock it.

Good for you for sticking with what you think is right. Tell your son to quietly keep his knife in his pocket (right where it belongs) and WHY this is an absurd, wrong-headed, rule. Illustrate for him how laws and social contracts are created and their critical importance...but also show where some sheeple have lost their way in this world. Teaching him critical decision-making skills will ensure he is a "leader and survivor" when the chips are down. What a great opportunity for a life lesson.

~ Blue Jays ~

I don't have a son yet but when I do, I hope he will have the opportunity to camp up there.

Will

 

[Will]

Hi Will-

Had an additional thought...

How would the scoutmasters know whether the boys left their knives in the log, anyway? If they're patting-down the youngsters to check, this camp has much more than knives to worry about.

~ Blue Jays ~

They would have no idea, nor are they likely to care.

 

[Knifeclerk]

Tell your son to quietly keep his knife in his pocket (right where it belongs) and WHY this is an absurd, wrong-headed, rule. Illustrate for him how laws and social contracts are created and their critical importance...but also show where some sheeple have lost their way in this world.

Don't do that. If it is so important that a knife be with you, then consult the other leaders and the higher ups on the matter. If you are to disagree with the rule so strongly, and they will not change it, then leave. I have attended churches where you must take off your shoes before entering. Indeed, I have every right to wear MY shoes, that I bought. But it would be disrespectful for me to enter wearing them and break their rules.

That being said, I do wear knives to church. On occasion, I have carried a fixed blade and no one even batted an eye. But should a rule be instated that knives were not permitted in the santuary for whatever reason, then I would leave them in the car.

Just my $.02
-KC

 

[Will]

That seems like a crazy over-reaction. Do they think the kids will have some sort of gang rumble in church?

The rule is enforced not to prevent violence, but to teach the kids how to behave in church. That is why, if the "no weapons in church" rule is for real, I don't object to enforcing it, but using SAKs as an example is NOT the way to go about it.

I started going to that camp when I 5 years old, the age I got started in scouting, and my father's troop camped up there when he was boy. I also worked on staff for a couple summers, and have been up to visit the camp every year (excpet 1 think) since I first started going up 20 years ago. It is a great camp, with no problems, or fear of violence. This rule is there becuase it is tradition, or maybe a general church rule that I never heard of..


Will

 

[rdg]

I carry my pocket knife, a Buck 110, a SuperTool 200, and a Ruger SP-101 to church. Matter of fact I carry the above pretty much every where I go. One of the men I serve with at church is a sniper, he packs in church too. We don't ask alot of questions, but I'm pretty sure we're not the only ones. Our church is quite secure and our people and staff are well protected by God and man. I wouldn't have it any other way. By the way, of those items I listed, only the Ruger is concealed. No one has ever said anything to me about being inappropriate in have these things. I should also mention that I am on the technical team and may be required to work on something at a moments notice, so do need the tools I have.
Bob

 

[CelticArmor]

That reaction, especially post Sept. 11, is understandable, but needs education! As an ordained United Methodist Pastor I have ALWAYS had at least a pocket knife with me, even in the pulpit! My grandfather taught me that a gentleman always had to have a handkerchief and a pocket knife (okay, and a suit and tie!) to be completely dressed. Heck, I used my Gerber Multiplier to repair a microphone one Sunday WHILE preaching! I have used the "Knife is only a tool, it is how you use it..." Children's Sermon to help educate!

Interestingly enough, I still have on my rolltop the Balisong butterfly knife that a homeless guy pulled on me to try and get money one day in my office. Foolish fellow broke the 11th Commandment (Knife to a gunfight). It is now my letter opener as a constant reminder about vigilence and preparedness (and the 11th Commandment!).

There is something wrong to me with vilifying objects and not placing responsibility on people for the consequences of their actions. Tools aren't evil! This message is in no way the opinion of the United Methodist Church, Christendom, Druidism, or the People for the Ethical Treament of Animals!

 

[Bobwhite]

I carry one to church all the time. A knife is only a weapon when it is employed as such. It is a matter of intent. This is like that whole "tactical" silliness. A weapon is anything I use to hurt or kill with. Tactical is the means in which I use it.

 

[brownshoe]

I live in an urban area and cops come to church in full uniform. There's nothing wrong with a gun in church, remember it's the man behind the weapon that's evil not the weapon.

Boy scouts have gotten so politically correct these days it's a shame. When I was a scout, we carried knives to church and since we were camping we also carried a peculiar smell much like smoked meat. Instead of following the stupid rule, why not ignore it. It's a great American tradition to ignore rules that are unjust. What's in a boy's pocket is his business whether its a knife or not.

 

[fudo]

"church is no place for weapons " Why? ...Onward Christian soldiers...uh..oorah..
My pocketknife is a tool, not a weapon. My Colt LWT. Comander is another matter.

 

[Dr. Thor]

I used to carry my knife to church, and everywhere else too. Then my dad, who is the pastor, told me I couldnt. He said it wasnt appropriate. I dont agree with him, but I leave my knives home now.

 

[spyken]

I have my EDC everywhere. Like Alberta Ed, I don't go to a church with four walls nowadays but I think He cares about what's in your heart / soul, rather than the knife in your pocket.

In relation to safety issues, well, no ones knows I carry one, so there's no need to let them know either.

 

[cmd]

I always cary at least one knife to church.

The last time I used one in church was during the Christmas pagent. All the children were getting dressed up as shepards, animals, angels, and such. There were not enough headbands to go around for the shepards and it was almost time to start. So, I cut a piece of cloth into strips. It was much appreciated by all of the moms and dads there and one little boy told his parents "wow, that's nice, did you see his knife?".

I was also a Boy Scout and we never had a rule about not carying kinves - anywhere. It would have been seen as completely irresponsible and against the motto of being prepared.

Chris

 

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

"...Don't do that. If it is so important that a knife be with you, then consult the other leaders and the higher ups on the matter. If you are to disagree with the rule so strongly, and they will not change it, then leave. I have attended churches where you must take off your shoes before entering. Indeed, I have every right to wear MY shoes, that I bought. But it would be disrespectful for me to enter wearing them and break their rules.

That being said, I do wear knives to church. On occasion, I have carried a fixed blade and no one even batted an eye. But should a rule be instated that knives were not permitted in the santuary for whatever reason, then I would leave them in the car..."

Knifeclerk, trust me that I see your position on this...

The difference between shoes and knives can be illustrated through history. I've spent considerable time in southeast Asia and have removed my shoes to visit churches, temples, restaurants, stores, and homes. This practice is steeped in ANCIENT tradition, is a sign of respect, and helps to keep these places clean and free from harmful germs. My full-size knives were absolutely welcomed in each.

The situation explained by Will is a modern, knee-jerk, ham-fisted technique to create a solution for a problem that does NOT exist. Are the boys taking knives to each others throats at the service? Are the Tenderfoots starting to rumble with the Cub Scouts in the other room? It is the classic liberal quest to do something about something to make society "safer"...no matter the cost. Fleeing the situation to join another group of scouts isn't necessarily the solution.

You mentioned about adhering to the rules. That is very noble and I would agree with you 99% of the time, but sometimes the rules are wrong. The theaters in my area have the 16-year-old ushers requesting to peer in customer bags for "security" purposes as they enter the movie. I simply say, "No thank you!" and brush past them. It's a silly plan that is not based on law and I simply won't comply. It's yet another outrageous rule designed to help people "feel" safer when no additional safety exists. My guess is that they are using terrorism as a disguise to search for smuggled candy and sodas...not to increase security.

In closing, Will mentioned that the scoutmasters wouldn't know and wouldn't care about knives being brought to service. It appears that EVERYONE recognizes the absurdity of this inane rule. With that being the case, the scouts and their fathers should ignore the policy and teach their kids a valuable civics lesson at the same time.

~ Blue Jays ~