"Peacekeeper", heh! Not sure if I appreciate the attempt at humor here, but I do know the image of Jesus carrying a gun is rather disturbing.

At least one of the apostles carried a sword -- Peter, I believe, who was always getting into trouble --, and when he used it in defense of the Lord when soldiers came to arrest Him, Jesus rebuked him with (and I paraphrase slightly) "Put that away! Don't you know that those who draw the sword will die by the sword?" and "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" Then He healed the injured man.

Now, I'm not saying that proves anything one way or the other. That was certainly a special set of circumstances. I'm not sure if there ever would have been a situation that Jesus would have approved of swordplay, but if so, it surely would only be in defense (and self-defense?) of others. And I kind of doubt He would use one Himself -- kinda goes against His character.

As for guns... we're talkin' a whole 'nother time, place, & culture, now. I'll need to think on that one some more. But, there are two things I do know: 1) I personally support the citizens' right to bear arms (within reason); and 2) when Christ returns, it will be "with power and great glory" and He sure won't need guns to defend Himself and His followers.

Take care all,
Chris

> From a roundup of some of the
> ground-breaking marketing innovations
> holding US consumers in thrall:
>
> http://media.guardian.co.uk/mediaguardian/story/0,7558,852021,00.html
> It says:

> Christian leaders started this campaign to
> remind consumers that bearing arms is not
> just a right, but a moral duty. Polls show
> that most Americans think Jesus would carry
> a Peacekeeper 45 single-action revolver, but
> sales of muzzle-loading rifles are up as
> well.

> Best Regards,
> Steve MacLellan