Could It Happen in Your Place of Worship?
It might be the place where you feel the most comfortable. It might be the place where you feel the safest. It might be the absolute last place where you’d expect a shooting to occur.
I’m talking about your place of worship.
Whether it’s a Catholic or Protestant church, or a synagogue, or a mosque… it could be the place where you’ve always believed you could never be harmed.
But devastatingly, violence at places of worship is happening more and more these days.
Massacre in Sutherland Springs
In fact, that is exactly what happened earlier this month. At the normally quiet and peaceful First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, a gunman shot and killed 26 people and injured 20 others. It happened during the morning worship service.
It was the deadliest shooting in an American place of worship in modern history.
Unfortunately, there was no one present that could attempt to protect the church attendees. The event was horrifying.
It’s Not Just Christian Churches
Now, it’s easy for some of us to assume that a vicious massacre such as the one that occurred in Sutherland Springs was an attack on Christianity.
After all, that incident and many others have happened in churches across America. Especially now at a time when many feel Christianity itself is under attack.
But what about the bomb threats and desecrations that have occurred at Jewish community centers?
And what about the dozens of mosques that have been attacked and vandalized in recent years?
Is It Religion Or Is It Personal?
Investigators are finding that these attacks at houses of worship often have very little or nothing to do with religion.
One study tracing church shootings from 1980 to 2005 revealed something interesting. In nearly one-half of the cases, the attacker had some connection with the church.
And 25 percent of the time, “intimate partners” are the targets. This includes wives, husbands, girlfriends or even boyfriends.
Attacks in churches receive a lot of media attention. But most of those attacks probably don’t have much to do with religion.
Lack of Church Security a Problem
My guess is that gunmen and other attackers feel just as “safe” in a church with an “open-door policy” as the unsuspecting worshippers do.
In other words, attackers assume no one will be able to “fight back” if they carry a loaded gun into a place of worship. There’s little, if any, security in many churches. And, the churches’ regular schedules make it easy for attackers to know exactly when to strike.
Unfortunately, these types of incidents are increasing at a scary pace.
A church security consultant in Colorado Spring, Colorado reported about 250 incidents in 2015. And the same number in 2016. He says there have been close to 200 more so far in 2017.
A criminologist in Minneapolis, Minnesota says that about 10 percent of the attackers have a mental illness. Also that about one-half of the victims know their attackers.
Security Training Is Available
The last thing church leaders want is for people to be afraid to come to church. So, some of them are taking steps to make their buildings more secure.
Strategos is the largest church security training ministry in the world. They teach officials at churches, schools, and other institutions how to deal with armed intruders.
Recently there have been more and more of incidents of church violence. Because of that, some churches have to wait for nearly a year to receive Strategos’ training.
The vice president of the company, Brian Young, commented on this epidemic. “We’ve got to get church leaders’ heads out of the sand. How many people have to die before the American church changes?”
What Do You Think?
Regardless of why attackers are choosing churches for their violence, the fact is, that’s what is happening.
I’d love to get your thoughts about this horrific problem.
Would you want one or more armed security guards at your church watching out for an attacker? To be ready to take him down if necessary?
Or would armed security guards spoil your mood for worship?
If you’d like to let us know, feel free to leave a comment. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
I would be surprised if anyone in our congregation is armed in a service…but I think it is a very good idea. It would be best in my view if they were dressed in their usual clothing. (Not sure how the guys in Bermuda shorts and sandals would pull this off.0
The ushers at my church in California know of 10 or 12 legal CCW holders carrying at any given service.
It’s a sad commentary on today’s society that places of worship are being targeted for violence. I believe that places of worship must step up and take responsibility for the safety of their congregations, in the least obtrusive way possible.
I’m wondering if it makes sense for a couple licensed church members to carry while in church service. They could react quickly and unexpectedly to an assailant who opened fire …
I”m clergy in a large Catholic church in Northern CA. about 6000 families. Almost all of our retired and active LEO’s carry during Mass. They also sit in strategic areas . The head usher at each Mass knows who they are and where they sir. We have coorsinated efforts with the local PD.
Sounds like you folks are very organized, Deacon!
An armed guard would not make me feel more secure. The bad one would just know who to take out first. I prefer licensed concealed carry people to be encouraged to bring their guns.
Take him or her down! There were guards back in the days when the Bible was being written. Why NOT now to protect those of us who want to worship without concern for violence?
I think armed security guards in our various places of worship is not a bad idea. However, I do feel that most parishioners would probably consider it a huge and uncomfortable distraction. It would be something to get used to for sure. My question is why aren’t more of us trained for these kinds of attacks/security issues ANYWHERE they occur?!
If there is not armed,qualified security,then I would be reluctant to be in any gathering anywhere,period. If you can carry concealed then do so if legal….or do not go.Times are different.We have already experienced something at a Catholic Mass and had an effect on its outcome which was peaceable . There were two people convinced some thing was going down and moved to block the way. No one else knew what went down and the person left peaceably and did not return to that location.
Robert –
Much as I object to HAVING to be worried about being shot in church or anywhere I think it has become a realconcern these days. In the cases of large numbers of folks being shot at point blank I always wonder why someone or a bunch of someone’s didn’t jump this person and subdue him/her?
Example (but not nearly as severe) is when I walked thru a wall of bikers in a bar and stopped a lone attacker who was kicking a man to death with steel toed boots! I’m an old lady now but this was when I was in my mid forties. I didn’t even THINK about what could happen to me – I just knew this person would die from these injuries if SOMEONE didn’t stepin. So – I did. And this was AFTER I tried to get a couple of guys to stop it.
I know it’s a different story when a gun is involved but the person has to change weapons or reload at some point (generally speaking) don’t they? I”d think that this would be a perfect opportunity to jump them.
[Pardon any misspellings or run together words or incorrect punctuation please – I’m using my cell phone and it “corrects” my writing sometimes whether or not I want it to!)
It’s simple. Just allow any KNOWN member the right to carry a weapon while inside or outside the church building and property. If this is adopted throughout the country, it will definitely make any future terrorist think twice before attempting to pull off any act.
In Texas it is legal to carry concealed in church. That’s what I do. Several churches in Texas encourage this practice.
Like the saying I wish I could reference the author, “I would rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it”. Armed guards are one thing, but armed citizens are many things – that would better the odds considerably. In earlier America everyone brought his gun to church.
At my church on a normal Sunday there are probably 3, 6 or maybe more armed worshipers. Occasionally an armed policeman attends. It has no effect on our worship. It is considered a comfort that we have people in attendance who care enough to protect others.
I feel it is AN UNFORTUNATE NECCESSITY… to have Security outside and inside churches. No they should not be uniformed as to draw attention. They should be church dressed like the congregation….and they SHOULD be in the choir stands facing the entrances, watching! It should be taught to members, if you hear ‘get down’…DO NOT, stop to look around! Get down, and help an elderly person or child next to you!
AN UNFORTUNATE NECCESSITY