Dear Pope Francis: Here Are Five Times Weapons of War That Saved Christians

The Federalist ^ | 06/23/2015 | David Harsanyi

[SeekAndFind]

This week, Pope Francis informed an audience in Turin that gun manufacturers—and those invested in the weapons industries—were hypocrites if they called themselves Christians. Francis, who earlier this year accused weapons makers of participating in an “industry of death,” explained: “It makes me think of … people, managers, businessmen who call themselves Christian and they manufacture weapons. That leads to a bit a distrust, doesn’t it?”

Well, not really.

This piece comes with customary caveat that English-speaking media tends to tweak the translation of the Pope’s messages just enough to mislead or strip it of proper context—or sometimes, miss the point entirely. But let’s just say his position is not compatible with the conventional American view that peace can be achieved through superior firepower. Of course, no one should expect the Pope to mollycoddle arms dealers (and I leave the theological discussion about his comments to those more invested in what he says) but, as a historical matter, the Pope may consider that some weapon makers can be a force for good.

For starters, if you consider that self-defense is a civil right— and, to some extent, most Americans still give this notion some lip service—a quick reading of European history tells us it can be perilous for minorities to be denied the right to bear arms. Being defenseless can be even more dangerous than owning an air conditioner, in some instances. And since the Pope brings it up, let’s consider the Jews, who were left without any means of defending themselves not that long ago.

Here’s the Pope on the topic in that Turin talk:

[Don Corleone]

Caesar=Caesar...God=God! Finito Papa!

[Paladin2]

PF should move the Vatican to Tehran.

[MSF BU]

He comes from a nation that routinely sits out conflicts while other nations fight evil. His frame of reference is Argentina and apparently he loves the type of society that is. Compare & contrast to John Paul II.

[servantboy777]

Wasn’t it Argentina that took in several infamous Nazi goons in flight from justice?

[Daveinyork]

So much for Papal infallibility.

[henkster]

If Francis keeps talking like that he’ll be kissing a carpet before they lop his head off.

[bert]

what !? is he not speaking for God?

Is his voice not that of God demanding an end to human induced climate change?

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

Thank God this clown was not Pope during the Battle of Lepanto and the Battle of Tours.

Had he been, there would be NO papacy today.

[ScottinVA]

People can appeal all they want with reason to that “pope,” but, like any marxist, the agenda always takes precedence.

[ScottinVA]

Wasn’t it Argentina that took in several infamous Nazi goons in flight from justice?

Yes it was... it was also Argentina that produced the "pope's" fellow traveler Che Guevara.

[TexasGator]

“His frame of reference is Argentina”

And the Cardinals that brought him in knew that.

[ScottinVA]

[RightOnTheBorder]

Since the Pope feels that arming one self is incompatible with Christ, I suggest he immediately disarm the Swiss Guard and all other security in the Vatican.

[QuisCustodiet1776]

Exactly.

[Mrs. Don-o]

((((Sigh)))) It was not put forward as an infallible statement.

[Mrs. Don-o]

No, that’s a Bergoglio opinion.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

If not for weapons of war over the ages—The Vatican would now be a Mosque like Hagia Sophia. You can’t have peace with a fanatic death cult—its bow down or be decapitated. I see this pope bowing to Mecca to save his own skin.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Speaks volumes about the people who elected this commie to the papacy.

[all the best]

Are his Swiss Guards going to lay down their arms anytime swoon? He does have 24/7 armed protection.