Need some help checking this out

[MikeBjerum]

I came across this guy in a church publication.  My head is ready to explode reading his stuff.  Can anyone give me more information on Ben Corey and his doings?

I am including a couple of links to help:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/

http://benjaminlcorey.com/

Do any of you know anything about Ben?  Reading his stuff, on guns and self-defense, I am getting a feeling of "good for me, but bad for thee."  And of course the ever popular anti views of "I'm an expert and not good enough, so how do you think you can," and "Just comply and all will be hunky doory."

Any help is welcome!  This guy has sparked a lot of talk within our church and extended connections.

[Timothy]

I didn't have to read too far to see that his views are not my views.

Nuf for me...

[MikeBjerum]

Are you picking up the same things I noted Timothy?

[Timothy]

From his Bio:

"Ironically for an Anabaptist who has committed to a life of total nonviolence, Ben is a retired Professional Military Education Instructor with the United States Air Force."

His FB page is littered with anti-gun propaganda.  Being a MA educated Mainer should explain a lot...

Isn't poking a million holes in your skin getting a tat a bit of a violent act?   

[vincewarde]

As a retired evangelical minister I know a bit about Cory and those whom he writes for and associates with.  It appears that he is part of the TINY (and I do mean TINY) left wing, progressive evangelical community.  This community got it's start in the Jesus movement of the 1970s when many hippies were saved and brought into the church.  I became a Christian during the same time frame - as did many of my ministerial friends.  Most of us shed out leftest beliefs (if we had them) as we saw how they conflicted with Christianity.  Today, most evangelicals are conservative and strong supporters of the 2nd Amendment, as I am.

If you want to counter his propaganda, various evangelicals have written on the subject of firearms and gun control.  I actually wrote a blog post that would make their heads explode:

Did Jesus Order His Disciples To Be Armed?
http://reasonedpolitics.blogspot.com/2014/12/did-jesus-order-his-disciples-to-be.html

As a Christian, my faith certainly informs me as to when the use of deadly force is morally justified.  For instance, I would not shoot someone to prevent the theft of my TV.  However, because I respect and value life, I certainly believe that deadly force can and should be used to preserve life.  This is why I am prepared to take such actions, as are some members of my church's "safety team".

Hope this helps!

[Sponsor]

[Solus]

His views have the same flaws, and perhaps hypocritical ones, as any wholly pacifist non-aggressive philosophy.

It is not only personal non-aggression that need to be followed, but municipal, state and federal as well.  So all police and military units would need to be disbanded since their purpose is to stop violence towards those protected with violence.  To maintain them would be hypocritical.

You may bask in the radiant glory of offering no resistance to your slaughter and smile and take joy in the unending rape of your children, both male and female with the current wave of aggressors, and their eventual release by horrific death all for the same non-violent beliefs.  I am sure their thoughts during their abuse and mutilation will be of gratitude to you for allowing them to become this glorious sacrifice.

That is fine for you and yours if you choose, but do nothing to impose your interpretation of Christ's teachings on those who disagree.

 

[tombogan03884]

Guy sounds like an asshole. When will these dumb ass "pacifists" get it ? Non violence is not their choice. The only choice they have is whether to try to survive or die merely like sheep.

[vincewarde]

Guy sounds like an asshole. When will these dumb ass "pacifists" get it ? Non violence is not their choice. The only choice they have is whether to try to survive or die merely like sheep.

When I served as a police chaplain, we had to be willing to use force, including deadly force, to defend ourselves.  Although we did not carry, we were expected to stay in the car on calls where danger was high and were told how to release the shotgun from the electrically locked rack.  Pacifists were respected, but could not serve.

[Solus]

If the folks listening to this guy aren't "whole hog" with the disbanding of police and military, they are just using this view as a way to "self righteously" ignore their responsibility to provide for their and their family's defense.