A Church Held a Bizarre "Blessing Ceremony" for Members and Their AR-15s

Mark Pygas - Author
By

UPDATED Nov. 18 2019, 2:38 p.m. ET

PUBLISHED Feb. 28 2018, 9:05 p.m. ET

GettyImages
Source: Getty

On Valentine's Day, a former student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, shot 17 people dead and injured 14 more in the deadliest U.S. school shooting since Sandy Hook. The accused 19-year-old was caught after fleeing the scene.  

Article continues below advertisement

The gunman used a legally purchased Smith and Wesson M&P15, a version of the AR-15. Long guns can be legally purchased by anyone 18 and older. And with no criminal record, the Florida gunman cleared an instant background check via the FBI criminal database. 

This week, one of the nation’s largest sports retailers, Dick’s Sporting Goods, said they would stop selling all assault-style rifles in its stores. They'll also no longer sell high-capacity magazines, and no longer sell any gun to anyone under 21 years of age. 

Article continues below advertisement

That decision has been met with both support and condemnation. And on Wednesday, worshippers at a Pennsylvania church took part in a bizarre display of their Second Amendment rights when worshippers brought their unloaded AR-15s into the World Peace and Unification Sanctuary for a commitment ceremony. 

GettyImages
Source: Getty
Article continues below advertisement
GettyImages
Source: Getty

The Rev. Sean Moon, who leads the church, believes that the AR-15 symbolizes the "rod of iron" in the book of Revelation. The verse describes the saints helping Jesus Christ rule the nations with an iron club. “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my father,” the passage reads. 

Article continues below advertisement

During the event, which led to classes being cancelled at a nearby school, Moon prayed for "a kingdom of peace police and peace militia where the citizens, through the right given to them by almighty God to keep and bear arms, will be able to protect one another and protect human flourishing." 

Weapons were checked at the door and no live ammunition was allowed in the building.  

Article continues below advertisement
GettyImages
Source: Getty
GettyImages
Source: Getty
Article continues below advertisement

Moon is the son of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who claimed to be a messiah and whose Unification Church has been described as cult by many. The younger Moon's church is a breakaway group, with the original Unification Church distancing itself from Wednesday's event. 

Tim Elder, Unification Sanctuary's director of world missions, said the event was a blessing of couples and not of "inanimate objects." He referred to the AR-15s as a "religious accoutrement." 

Article continues below advertisement

In response to criticism, church leaders said the event was planned before the Florida shooting. 

GettyImages
Source: Getty
Article continues below advertisement
GettyImages
Source: Getty
GettyImages
Source: Getty
Article continues below advertisement
GettyImages
Source: Getty
GettyImages
Source: Getty
Article continues below advertisement

There were protesters and police at the event, with one protester asking a church member

"It's scaring people in the community. Are you aware of that?" 
Article continues below advertisement

Another added: 

"I don't need a freaking assault weapon to defend myself. Only thing they're good for is killing. Period. That's all that weapon is good for, mass killing. And you want to bless it? Shame on you." 
Article continues below advertisement

Social media also had some reactions to the event. 

Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement
Article continues below advertisement

Well, that's bizarre. 

Advertisement
More from Distractify

Latest Trending News and Updates

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 Distractify. Distractify is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.