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National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath — March 15-17

March 12, 2013 by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

If ending gun violence were easy, nightmares like Sandy Hook would never happen. Young lives would not end on urban streets in a hail of bullets. We wouldn’t need to parse the difference between automatic and semi-automatic. Just as taking away guns does not inherently make us safe from harm, we need to move beyond the lie that minimal regulation of those guns makes us any safer either. Some leaders in North Carolina seem more threatened by a topless woman than a limitless arsenal. Sometimes in our fight to be right we seem to lose our common sense.

The National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath is this weekend but faithful involvement in the discussion must continue beyond those few days. We can respectfully disagree with one another, but must be a part of the ongoing conversation. And we cannot be drowned out by those who condemn even the most thoughtful opposition.

For those, like the Council, who have been working on issues of gun violence for years, the endless string of tragedies is heartbreaking. But spring marks a time of renewal for many faiths. May our commitment to our children and to each other be to creating communities where we feel less threatened and are, instead, more united in God’s call to peace.

–Aleta Payne, Development and Communications

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Children & Youth, Christian Unity, Civil Discourse, Civil Liberties, Domestic Violence, Good Government, Gun Violence, Interfaith, Peace, Prophetic Voice, Religion & Society, Worship

About Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Aleta Payne first joined the Council staff in the spring of 2001 as the Communications Associate. She continues to oversee that work along with development, represents the Council in several partnership efforts, and serves in other administrative roles, as well. Aleta is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in government and foreign affairs and spent much of her early career as a journalist. She has three young adult sons who continue to come home to Cary for dinner, or at least groceries, and two young adult terrier-mix dogs who keep the nest from feeling too empty.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bill says

    March 13, 2013 at 8:00 am

    Thanks for continuing to draw attention to this. Whatever the best response may be, it is important that faith communities help keep us aware that there is a problem that needs a response.

    Some leaders in North Carolina seem more threatened by a topless woman than a limitless arsenal. Sometimes in our fight to be right we seem to lose our common sense. Very well-said!

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