Christians United Against Gun Violence

"It has come to this: there is a need to create an American Christian group called Christians United Against Gun Violence, knowing both that America is drenched in the blood of the victims of gun violence, and that American Christians will include among their number some of the most militant opponents of any change to current gun laws. Someone must raise a strong voice of Christian protest. I commend this group, I stand with them, and I will support their work with my own."  
-Dr. David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University and Chair of Christian Social Ethics at Vrije Universiteit (“Free University”) Amsterdam, and Senior Research Fellow, International Baptist Theological Study Centre.

“Gun violence is a national epidemic. It is the #1 cause of death for our kids. Over 100 lives are lost every day to guns. Let us lament the lives lost, and honor them by taking action to end gun violence.” 
- Shane Claiborne, is a Christian activist and author who is a leading figure in the New Monasticism movement. He is also a social activist, advocating for nonviolence and service to the poor. He is the co-author of Beating Guns.

"Both my resignation to American gun violence and my anger at our political leaders' empty prayers are eating me from the inside out. Standing united with other Christians on September 18th is offering me a new hope. That was enough for me to start this grassroots movement."
-Rev. Abby Henrich, pastor at Grace Community Boston and Stratford Street United Church and part of the Progressive Sacred podcast

"We live in an age of exuberant fear, anger, and hatred. I thank Christians United Against Gun Violence for witnessing to faith, hope, and love. I hope churches across the country will join them."
- Rev. Jon Paul Sydnor, PhD, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Emmanuel College in Boston

“The fact that there are more guns in the US than people, and surely far more guns than genuine Christians, makes a response from some Christians imperative. An addiction to guns and violence is anathema to the Gospel of peace, enshrined in our Christian traditions, emboldening us to recall those many resources, ancient and modern, where a rejection of the addiction to guns is manifest. I support this project as a seeker for justice and truth in a world in desperate need of both."
 - Rev. Dr. John C Holbert, Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics Emeritus at Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, TX, United Methodist clergyperson

"I am heartened by the work this group of Progressive Christians is doing to help make it easy and powerful for churches to participate in September 18’s worship and education in speaking out against gun violence. I encourage you to do as much as you can to spread the word, for the sake of our children.”
- Rev. Dr. Diana Brown Holbert, Pastor of Children and Families at Westwood United Methodist Church, Los Angeles

"Having worked as a chaplain in trauma rooms, I have walked with dozens of gunshot victims and their families through the aftermath of a shooting. Their lives are forever changed. And these are the ones who survive. Having witnessed up close the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual violence resulting from the easy access to firearms and weapons of war, I am committed to helping reconnect those within my own faith tradition of Christianity to re-imagine a culture that does not baptize guns, but people. And where the sanctity of all lives is the central active ingredient in their political engagement when it comes to guns. It is not about I, Me, Mine, but about helping embody the kingdom of heaven on earth under the example of the Prince of Peace." 
- Rev. Brian Hughes, Board Certified Chaplain at HealthCare Chaplaincy Network

"Christians and people of faith have a unique position to respond to the gun violence epidemic in America. We follow a Jesus who promoted the love of neighbors and enemies. Jesus is also following a prophetic tradition that spoke of turning swords into plowshares and training for war no more.  It's past time for churches in America to set an example of how to live a full life without a gun on our hip or on our nightstand- to welcome people with open arms, not bearing arms." 
 - Mike Martin, Executive Director RAWtools, coauthor of Beating Guns.

"Jesus offered us a vision of God's Community as a world in which all would flourish, all would have what they needed, and no one would need to be afraid anymore. One concrete way we can work to co-create that Community is to unite against gun violence. As one of my worship songs puts it, we cannot serve God and guns. Please join us in this life-giving and life-saving work!"
-Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler, award-winning and published sacred music composer, hymn writer, lay preacher, and liturgist