“I'd like to take the opportunity to feature a leader in our movement, Rev. Rachel Smith,” Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke wrote in a Huffington Post PR piece back in May of 2008.
As an ordained minister, Rev. Smith also founded the Brady Center project called "God Not Guns," whose mission is to provide clergy and congregations with support, and to encourage them to see gun violence prevention as a ministry in their communities.
The coalition list looks impressive:
The God Not Guns Coalition is an interfaith partnership consisting of faith-based groups that promote sensible gun policies at the local, state and national levels.
Surely this strategy could be a game-changer, as religious leaders can exert profound influences on their followers, and while valid reporting numbers may be hard to pin down, it’s an observable fact that there are a lot of houses of worship, and a lot of Americans regularly attend their services.
And Rev. Smith seems the perfect leader, able to coin media-resonant pejorative buzzwords like “gundamentalism” and distort reality with a skilled Bradyesque twist, such as crediting the Heller decision with transmuting the Second Amendment into a “newly bestowed right.”
To be able to pull that off with a straight face is a talent in itself. And our religious leaders even have a 48-page “worship guide,” replete with quotes from great spiritual leaders, such as the fictitious scripted character Hawkeye from “Mash” (seriously!), to teach us all how the lamb can safely lie down with the lion.
So what happened? Why has the Brady-backed interfaith initiative…disappeared? Why is it when we click on the link to the “God Not Guns” website expecting to be transported to a gun-free Nirvana, we instead ascend to…a search page?
It’s not like the effort has gone away. The Brady’s still maintain a God Not Guns Facebook page, but that looks like it’s primarily being used as a networking platform to publicize their political advocacy agenda—something churches aren’t’ supposed to do because of their tax exempt status. And funny thing—so far, it’s garnered no “friends” and only 76 “likes.”
With all the effort put into the movement, and all the supposed ecumenical support? It all just goes away without a word?
He maketh me lie down on green Astroturf?
Not to worry, though. I managed to find a new God Not Guns website.
But I don’t think the Bradys are going to like it.
Also see:
Comments
Oh, my gosh! I'm going to have to put the National Gun Rights blog on my list of things not to look at while I'm drinking coffee.
The Brady idiots most CERTAINLY won't like the new God No Guns website. LOL But I loved it, even though I don't play such games. I'd much rather spend the time out at the range shooting my real guns.
David,
Why doesn't Helmke post on HIS examiner blog? He has one insipid article and then NADA.
G-d tells us to never lay down your sword until all the EVIL is vanquished from the land.
Guess who I plan on listening to?
I hope the Brady Bunch doesn't fold their tents completely. Really well written and delivered comedy is getting harder and harder to find. Without the Brady's and the VPC's Sugarman, we'd have to depend on Steven Colbert, and he's just not in their league.
DDS -- NRA Life Member.
Off-topic comments deleted. I'll be happy to look at other developments and consider them to write about, but please do not hijack the discussion thread. My contact email is in my profile.
On Morality Conscience and Rights
“The word Morality may be defined, in part as, a simple a code of individual conduct.
Conscience, when correctly applied, serves the individual in some circumstances as a restraint upon certain actions, and in other circumstances as a calling to act.
The word Rights identifies in part, the natural status of every person.
From the quality of Conscience, Moral concepts have been derived, and the natural extension of the quality of Conscience as combined with Moral concepts is recognition of the Rights of each individual.
The Moral code of conduct dictates that each person conduct themselves in such a manner as to avoid intentionally violating the Rights of another person or persons."
I, for one, would like nothing better than to see those opposed to ‘gun-violence’ succeed in their unarguably worthy mission.
After all, if it came to pass that every Rights-violating act involving the use of GUNS were to cease entirely, the incessant hoof-waving might diminish accordingly and the ear-shattering bleating noises emanating from the flock leaders would no longer be drowning out the subtle voices of logic and reason.
Just think. The sheep in human clothing and their misguided and imbecilic followers could go back to their customary practices of milling around until the next shearing or slaughter takes place, and the rest of us could go back to enjoying Life and Liberty and pursuing the otherwise unencumbered Happiness of buying, selling, trading, collecting and utilizing our hunting/fowling/sport/utility firearms for all the traditional purposes.
Ah, Utopia at last.
“That they--the criminals and armed minions in government--will not lay down their Arms, We, as Freemen in American dare not ever lay down ours.”
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!