Fayetteville, AR –-(Ammoland.com)- John Pavlovitz has written me a letter. It’s from 2015, but he announced it to the world again in a recent tweet. Admittedly, the letter wasn’t just to me, since his short epistle is titled, “Letter to an American Gun Lover.” After reading it, I may have to run to a clinic to have my blood sugar level checked, given how syrupy sweet it is, but at the same time, there is cause for hope to be found in what he has to say.
Who is John Pavlovitz? His website and his Huffington Post page say that he’s been in the ministry for about two decades, on staff currently at the North Raleigh Community Church that declares, “We don’t organize around agreed-upon doctrines. We organize around a way of relating.”
Don’t you feel better already? If you’re like me, you said no. I want to see facts and logic, but it’s clear from Pavlovitz’s writing that he focuses on emotion. He declares at the start that he’s not going to argue the evidence and not going to think through to a conclusion. In his view, these things would be an act of “violence with you as a way of protesting violence.”
I’ll take that as a concession that he can’t make an effective case for his position. But despite his touchy-feely affectations, he turns passive-aggressive, spewing accusations while pretending to be a paragon of peaceful virtue.
Contrary to Pavlovitz’s assertions, I do care when people are murdered, whether one at a time or in groups. But I think that when we seek solutions, they should show evidence of doing good. And gun control doesn’t qualify. Again and again, the evidence shows that honest government and expanding opportunity to all is what reduces violence, not busywork programs that punish the law-abiding.
Typical for advocates of the hashtag, #gunsense, Pavlovitz has faith, and that’s all that matters to him. He declares that he will turn the other cheek and refuse to return evil for evil. He closes by saying, “I will not engage in another shootout today. I will lay down my guns. I will not return fire. Peace.”
If only he were being honest here, I’d thank him for his cooperation. If he wants to disarm himself, I won’t get in his way. The thing that he doesn’t understand is that if his promise not to use violence is genuine, he is in no danger from the millions of law-abiding gun owners in this country. It wouldn’t surprise me if he confuses us with criminals, even while the vast majority of the millions of gun owners do no wrong with their guns. And the number who do has been on the decline for years.
But Pavlovitz has reserved one weapon: Love. He capitalizes the word. This is disturbing, since when I think of people who use what they call love as a weapon, I typically have abusers in mind. Perhaps he’s planning to do battle with Barney the Dinosaur.
As I said, he’s welcome to disarm. He’s welcome to surrender, though I have my doubts regarding his intentions. People like this are convinced of their own righteousness, and as he states at the start of his letter, he has no intention of civil discourse. His goal is to smother rights with compulsory love, and it’s up to the good people of this country to stand against him for freedom.
About Greg Camp
Greg Camp has taught English composition and literature since 1998 and is the author of six books, including a western, The Willing Spirit, and Each One, Teach One, with Ranjit Singh on gun politics in America. His books can be found on Amazon. He tweets @gregcampnc
Defense of life: John 15:13 NASBS Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 3:16 NASBS “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Luke 22:35-38 NASBS And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” [36] And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise… Read more »
You know what many of these “PASTORS” say. “GIVE YOUR MONEY TO JESUS BUT USE MY ADDRESS”
Well sorry boys I have a straight line to the almighty just like every other person does and don’t need some big haired guy in a leisure suit acting as a go between.
Peter had a sword in the Garden of Gethsemane. Christ told him to return it to it’s place. He did not say to get rid of it. It was not the proper time to use it.
I carry a gun for the same reason the police carry one…self defense. They don’t want to face danger unarmed and neither do I.
Peter must have been left handed. He cut off the right ear of the man. That would be hard to do unless the man was fleeing from Peter.
Another liberal puppet! Bring GOD into gun control, but leave him out of schools, bathrooms, etc!
This so called pastor must have read a different New Testament then me. For wasn’t it Christ himself in the Gospel of Luke who told his followers to ” sell their coats and purchase a sword.” Who am I to argue will God’s son.
There are many church Pastors in this country that are of the same mind set. Stay clear of these churches, they are not Churches of Christ Jesus. Good chance they deviate from the truth of Gods Holly Word. They are the liberal church.
Okay John Pav….., whatever your name, send me your guns, I will give them a good and safe home….promising never to MURDER anyone, but PROTECT my family at all costs. Seems you will just LOVE the next armed assailant that attempts to break into your home to harm you and your poor unfortunate family members.
just goes to show you not all GODS creatures are smart.
I’m sure the pastor will grant forgiveness to the jihadi nut who slits his throat…..
I wonder if that idiot hollyweird starlet that claimed the hurricane that hit Texas was “God’s Wrath” for voting for Trump, thinks this is “God’s Wrath” on California for voting for Hillary?
I totally respect his right to freedom of choice. May God bless him and America stay strong to provide him, his family, loved ones and friends that continued choice. With choice comes responsibility. He is responsible for his life and that of those surrounding him. While our end goals are like, our methods are not. I believe that he feels he can stop a person who has chosen to do harm to others to get what they want. I believe that harm to others is only for the defense of myself or those around me who cannot defend themselves. Yes,… Read more »
Sorry, my responsibility is to my family, not to idiots who don’t have the intelligence or gastrointestinal fortitude to defend themselves. I am not EVER going to put my life or my loved ones well being in danger to protect a self-declared fool or coward.
We had a “Pastor” like that in the OKC area years ago. For the life of me I can’t remember his name or whatever became of him. Funny how that works.
@OV – brother one could only surmise and feel that this is God putting a smack down on Cali, telling them to “straighten their paths or else there could be worse yet to come.” Of course the liberal/progressive pinheads will blame it all on climate change as they don’t believe in, nor recognize God. But as we know … nothing moves but for the will of God. I pity them if they die in their refusal to acknowledge God. Eternity is a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time.
So I wonder what the conversation between this guy and God would be like if his stance on guns doesn’t let him defend his life? After all life is a gift from God, so if one just throws away their own life by failing to defend it isn’t that just telling God that you don’t have the moral courage to do what is right? This guy has sold his manhood to fit in with the Progressive Liberals. What a worm!
Please don’t believe that propaganda , all sins,,,, no-matter what they are or when they are committed , are forgiven through Christ when you accept him into your heart and denying him as your Lord and Savior is what brings on eternal damnation .
He is probably one of those who will still call local Law Enforcement, to show with their guns, if someone is molesting him or others he knows or loves. Hypocrites all. Refuses to take responsibility for his or those he love’s, safety, but will expect the government to provide that protection. Of course, maybe not. Maybe he will be one of those who will be willing to go to the ditch or gas chamber, all the while telling those who would prefer to fight, to not do so as it could get worse. Bah!