Why assume that anyone here doesn't go to church, or that would have an impact on viewpoints of armed security teams in church? Almost no churches where I live would dream of having armed security (perhaps the largest megachurches have some policies, given the large number of attendees). Of course, concealed carry is extremely rare where I live.

A look at the list of mass shootings appears to show that church shootings tend to occur in areas where gun ownership is extremely high. It looks like one church shooting per year for a population of 300M. The motives were all over the place (domestic disuputes, mental illness, racial attacks, pro-life radicalism). Not too much evidence of organized secularist attacks:

https://apnews.com/article/us-news-religion-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-emanuel-kidega-samson-0b2a73fdcf944d19aaafa620bb1d94c0

Can't be, Windy said it's the secularist's fault. I guess somehow they're causing the church shootings, like how gays ruined the institution of marriage.

I don't think secularism is really a "movement" for most. It's just a lack of interest in participating in organized religion. That lack of interest also covers a lack of interest in killing religious people, normally.

And with the recent high-profile place-of-worship mass shootings, I don't think the perpetrators were really identified as "secular." Dylan Roof is a racist. John Earnest (Poway Synagogue) is racist and anti-semite. Devin Patrick Kelley had "aetheist nutter" qualities, I guess.

But in terms of motivations for religion-related shooting, I'd hand-wave the order of motivation as: 1) religion (religion-on-religion hatred), 2) racism 3) nutteryness, 4) activist aetheism?

Back in the day you didn't rob churches (or commit mass murder in them) because there was respect for religion

meaning an aura of defense has evaporated.

Back in the day you didn't rob churches (or commit mass murder in them) because there was respect for religion (or fear of eternal damnation) there is now much more open hostility to religion (just read this place) meaning an aura of defense has evaporated.

Can't be, Windy said it's the secularist's fault. I guess somehow they're causing the church shootings, like how gays ruined the institution of marriage.

It's interesting to note that it wasn't that long ago - 1996 - that Australia passed their firearms agreement and removed a lot of guns. From 1996 to 1998, gun suicides were cut in about half. But homicides only decreased a little (criminals can still get their hands on guns... go figure?)

Yes I realize the prevalence is far higher in the U.S., not disputing that.

The same Windy who believes that Biden is going to ban the bible? Yeah, it is a mistake to take him seriously on anything, but on the topic of the USA's poor oppressed christians he really cranks the stupid up to 11.

spudone wrote:

It's interesting to note that it wasn't that long ago - 1996 - that Australia passed their firearms agreement and removed a lot of guns. From 1996 to 1998, gun suicides were cut in about half. But homicides only decreased a little (criminals can still get their hands on guns... go figure?)

Yes I realize the prevalence is far higher in the U.S., not disputing that.

Back in the day you didn't rob churches (or commit mass murder in them) because there was respect for religion (or fear of eternal damnation) there is now much more open hostility to religion (just read this place) meaning an aura of defense has evaporated.

jharris wrote:

Isn’t this the same country that was locking down so much the cops were beating citizens and they took kids to get vaccinated without parents permission?

Life is great when you don’t have equal fire-power, huh.

Australian NT Chief Minister has a way with words:

Michael Gunner today implored the online trolls to "get a life" and debunked theories that ADF members in the territory are carrying weapons.
"I urge people not to worry about the insane, unhinged stuff that's spreading online and that overwhelming come from people who don't live here and know nothing about us," he said.
"99.99 per cent of the BS that's flying around the internet about the territory is coming from flogs outside the territory, mostly America, Canada and the UK.
"People who have nothing better to do than make up lies about us because their own lives are so small and so sad.
He said the COVID-19 measures are about attempting to protect the "oldest living culture on the planet".
"We have tens of thousands of years of history and lore, custom and song to keep alive," he said.
"And if anyone thinks we're going to be distracted or intimidated by a tin hat-wearing tosser sitting in their parents' basement in Florida, then they don't know Territorians."

That pretty good. Spot on other than conflating Florida and Wisconsin. It’s almost like he knows jharris personally

If he did he'd sit down and have a beer with him. Speaking of guns, a friend of mine in Australia was driving home one night with his kids when their car was shot at. Oh wait, never mind...

If he did he'd sit down and have a beer with him. Speaking of guns, a friend of mine in Australia was driving home one night with his kids when their car was shot at. Oh wait, never mind...

That pretty good. Spot on other than conflating Florida and Wisconsin. It’s almost like he knows jharris personally

You're point being? Do you have any idea how rare that occurrence would be in Australia?

Other than one in a cop's holster, do you know when was the last time I even saw a gun in a public place in Australia? Honestly, except for rare occasions of colleagues or associates carrying one in a work capacity, neither do I.

Lived in Sydney for well over 50 years. Commuted by running to and from nearly every job I ever had, regularly varying routes of up to 30km, passing through shopping districts all over the suburbs.

You know where I'd go to buy a gun in Sydney? Again, neither do I. I can't recall ever seeing one gun retailer.

When it comes to guns, the US is a cultural anomaly (and blight) among developed countries.