Weapons in Sacred Spaces.

[Father]

if you believe in the monotheistic God than surely he would not allow slaughter in his own House? its sort of like

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Unless they're a cop on duty, no.

 

[Aupmanyav]

In India, only the warriors going to battle will go to the temple with their arms to seek blessing of the deity, victory or glory in death.

 

[SabahTheLoner]

I guess I would only object to it if the weapons aren’t for purely symbolic or self-defense purposes.

A lot of the spiritual traditions I draw inspiration from call for the ritual use of a dagger or sword as a phallic and elemental object, and in some even a tool for opening “gates” (I don’t really know how else to put it). It’s not often used for cutting, even if the ritual requests a small portion of blood (most people I’ve talked to prefer tools used by diabetics for blood testing when they want to use blood. You don’t need a lot in ritual). I wouldn’t attend a ceremony that killed an animal just because they can, or decided to randomly slash the palms of the present company for a collective blood sacrifice using a weapon without telling said company first. That would be some examples of the wrong use of such objects. Similarly I would not approach people using weapons to force others into converting (to their faith). Weapons for self-defense in my opinion require a license if they are firearms or easily concealable on the body, and the use of weapons in ceremony should be an individual choice with the tension of responsibility as well as the knowledge of consequences for misuse in mind.

 

[Thief]

Would you attend a sacred space on a regular basis where you, or someone, had to carry a weapon?

I just suggested as much in another thread.

(on the same page are we?!!!......hehehehe)

 

[Thief]

more seriously.....

if the bad guy does not abide by what you consider sacred....
all bets are off
and you need to be armed

 

[Aupmanyav]

With reference to my post above:

"Hato vā prāpsyasi svargaḿ, jitvā vā bhokṣyase mahīm;
tasmād uttiṣṭha, Kaunteya, yuddhāya kṛita-niścayaḥ." BhagawadGita 2.37
O son of Kuntī, either you will be killed on the battlefield and attain the heaven, or you will conquer and enjoy the earthly kingdom. Therefore, get up with determination and fight.

"Sukha-duḥkhe same kṛitvā, lābhālābhau jayājayau;
tato yuddhāya yujyasva, naivaḿ pāpam avāpsyasi." BhagawadGita 2.38
Considering happiness or distress as same, without caring for loss or gain, victory or defeat; in this way engage in war, and by so doing you shall never incur sin.

 

[Kenny]

Don't trust God to protect you in a sacred place?

Sure... Like Gideon and the 300 men!

 

[Ponder This]

Would you attend a sacred space on a regular basis where you, or someone, had to carry a weapon?

I would attend, but ... hopefully not too often. Honorary funerals for service members are a solemn affair.

 

[Aldrnari]

For me, my sacred spaces are in the woods, or at my altar. My tools (knives and axes) must be practical, and they must be useable and able to withstand punishment (try chopping wood with a dull or cheap axe). That said, their intended use is as a tool, and don't do much against people with assault rifles.

 

[danieldemol]

I would have no misgivings about attending an armed sacred place whatsoever.

 

[Quintessence]

Would you attend a sacred space on a regular basis where you, or someone, had to carry a weapon?

Why wouldn't I? Ritual weapons are a common feature of many Pagan traditions. Heck, I have them in my altar room and on appropriate shrines.

 

[Fool]

Why wouldn't I? Ritual weapons are a common feature of many Pagan traditions. Heck, I have them in my altar room and on appropriate shrines.

understandable

 

[robocop (actually)]

Sorry for the late reply. Strangling is a deadly weapon.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

Wouldn't that just be hands that are the weapon?

 

[Jesster]

My bedroom is a sacred place and that's where I keep my gun. You have to bring a gun too because 'Murica!