Tag: shalom

Sign the petition here

Nazarenes United for Peace believe that American Christians are called by our Creator to propose and support creative, peaceful solutions to the unprecedented epidemic of firearms-related violence in the United States.

These solutions include:

• eliminating high-capacity magazines (anything over 5 rounds);
• required testing and licensing for all firearm ownership;
• universal background checks and registration for all firearm sales (including private transfers); and
• legislation prohibiting persons convicted of violent crime/domestic abuse from owning firearms.

We believe that such provisions reflect the calling and character of the American Church.

The Church of the Nazarene believes that the ideal world condition is that of peace and that it is the full obligation of the Christian Church to use its influence to seek such means as will enable the nations of the earth to be at peace and to devote all of its agencies for the propagation of the message of peace.

Nazarene Manual, 922

First, we believe that such provisions reflect a consistent, holistic, pro-life ethic, one that recognizes and upholds the sanctity of all human lives. We reject false dichotomies that require us to choose between care for the unborn, children, young adults, and/or the elderly among us. Instead we heed Christ’s reminder that when we care for the marginalized and physically endangered we care for God’s own self.

Second, we affirm that such regulations represent the best, most evidence-based and effective means of ensuring the peace and safety of American citizens. We spurn fear-based calls to counter violence with violence or attempt to overcome evil with evil. Instead we heed the call of Christ—himself the object of state-sanctioned violence—to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and put away our own weapons as we work toward peace and reconciliation.

Most importantly, we believe that such legislative measures reflect the call of persons of faith to actively participate in shalom, the peaceful well-being of all of Creation. We reject the idolatries of rugged individualism, sectarian partition, and ethno-linguistic segregation that compel us toward violent resistance. Instead we honor our Creator’s mandate to live at peace with all of creation—both friend and foe—so that through us all peoples on earth might be blessed.

We reject the idolatries of rugged individualism, sectarian partition, and ethno-linguistic segregation that compel us toward violent resistance

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