Association of United Methodist Theological Schools Statement on Gun Violence
Statement on Gun Violence
April 18, 2018 – The Association of United Methodist Theological Schools (AUMTS) is deeply concerned about the pervasive and continuing gun violence in the United States. A related phenomenon is the use of lethal force against a disproportionate number of African-Americans at the hands of police, security guards, and self-appointed vigilantes. (See the AUMTS statement on Black Lives in 2014: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-levison/race-and-the-fabric-of- faith_b_6955628.html). As a denomination, United Methodists are committed to following in the way of Jesus, working for the common good, and supporting measures that insure the protection, security, and safety of all persons. This is a fundamental necessity for the flourishing of human community and society. We join with Bishop Ken Carter, incoming President of the Council of Bishops, in calling us to “repent from our participation in a culture of death; [to] acknowledge the harm we do to others, and [to] claim the power of the cross that breaks the cycle of violence and retaliation.” As Christians grounded in a theology of new life in Jesus Christ, we acknowledge that guns are instruments for the perpetuation of violence; they are weapons that bring death. We stand in our tradition of turning swords into plowshares, turning weapons of death into tools of life.
This article was originally published on the United Methodist’s Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry website. Click here to read the full article: https://www.gbhem.org/about-gbhem/news/aumts-statement-gun-violence