Feb. 18 issue
MCC on NRA list
Agency cited among ‘anti-gun national organizations’
By Kelli YoderWhen the National Rifle Association put the Mennonite Central Committee Washington Office on a list of those it considers anti-gun, MCC personnel could only speculate why.
Fred Kauffman, who directs gun violence prevention initiatives for MCC from Philadelphia, heard about the list Feb. 1.
“My first reaction was to absolutely laugh,” he said. “They must be hard up for enemies if they think MCC is a threat.”
The list — “Anti-Gun National Organizations” — is posted on nraila.org. It cites “organizations [that] have lent monetary, grassroots or some other type of direct support to anti-gun organizations.”
MCC has never given money to an anti-gun organization, as far as Jesse Epp-Fransen knows. He works from MCC’s Washington office, and gun violence falls under his domain. MCC does sign letters to support initiatives to reduce gun violence, like renewing a ban on assault weapons.
“It’s interesting company to have,” he said of the list, which includes many seemingly unrelated groups like the American Firearms Association and the Kansas City Chiefs. “It’s not every day that you see MCC placed among that range and variety of groups.”
The list was released in September, but a Feb. 1 post by Tim Murphy on Mother Jones’ Political Mojo blog put the story on the radar for many. His post, “The 12 Most Threatening People on the NRA’s Enemies List,” poked fun at some of the inclusions. “Mennonite Central Committee: You know who else had a central committee?” Murphy wrote.
He commented further in an email: “I confess I’m not very well versed in the politics of the Mennonite Central Committee, but that’s kind of the point. There are plenty of very polarizing religious groups in the United States, and MCC really isn’t one of them.”
Why MCC?
The question on comment boards and Facebook posts in response was simply: Why MCC?
Comments
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Why MCC? Because anyone who follows the non-violent Jesus Christ of the New Testament is a threat to the NRA, which no longer represents gun owners, but, rather, gun manufacturers. There are some lists we should be proud (in our humble, Mennonite way) to be on. This is one.
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Rather than focusing on why the NRA placed Mennonite Central Committee on its list of "Anti-Gun National Organizations," we should count it a blessing. It is good news that the anti-violence message we espouse as followers of Jesus is getting unexpected exposure—and without the expenditure of additional advertising dollars or PR efforts. We also would do well to remember that taking Jesus seriously sometimes means being misunderstood. And, if we are effective, it sometimes means our actions will be counter-cultural or perhaps even perceived as subversive. So let's celebrate when our organizations and congregations are recognized for doing the work they are called to—regardless of the source of the recognition or the unlikely company that may result.
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This kind of article shows Mennonites in an unflattering affected light. The NRA list that is discussed includes over 500 organizations. As there’s only a handful of strictly anti-gun groups, the NRA is reaching pretty deep into the barrel to scratch up names. Their list includes the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Parks and Conservation Association, the YWCA, and 505 others. One can only imagine the writer, tongue firmly planted in cheek, wondering “Why would anyone think anyone think that poor little MCC is against guns? How shocking!” All one needs to do is go to the MCC Wash website and type “guns.” The several hundred hits on MCC webpages mostly address the problem of gun violence. None of them fond of guns. There are no articles about the joy of pistol shooting, hunting, or the benefits of having an AR15 in the closet. As the article explicitly says, MCC supports the ban on assault weapons. So this feigned surprise is not pretty. Page 2 of the article delves into muddled speculations on how poor MCC Wash got on the list. Well, again, just look on the website. MCC Wash is the lobbying and propaganda arm (in the nice sense) of MCC. They are obviously thrilled to pieces, and are working hard to feign an “aw shucks” attitude, which looks quite phony.
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I agree with R.E., MCC is being completely dishonest in their "feigned surprise."
Furthermore, they're not following Jesus. They're worshiping the State with their worldy Leftist political stance that seem bent on changing mens' hearts--not by Jesus' word--but by the violence that is always behind enforcement of government edicts.
In fact, by advocating the government violence necessary to effect a gun ban, MCC is actually advocating for a bloody WAR.
"It will require a domestic civil war against the gun lobby...It could be as bloody."
~ Jim Sleeper, Lecturer in Political Science, Yale University Huffingtonpost | 12/15/2012
It's time for MCC to cease worshiping the State, desist from Lording-It-Over their legal and peaceful gun-owning neighbors, and start actually following Jesus.
As Jesus points out, anybody using the State to "Lord-It-Over" their neighbors with worldly "authority" is getting it all wrong.
"You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. NOT SO WITH YOU." ~Jesus (in the gospel of Mark)
You're invited to retort at my blog: http://peaceegalitarianism.blogspot.com/2013/02/warmongering-pacifists.html
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"...groups and individuals standing behind the Assault Weapons Ban..." ~Senator Feinstein's press release, January 31, 2013
Mennonite Central Committee is recorded on Feinstein's list.
Is she mistaken?
If not, I'd say Jesse Epp-Fransen and Fred Kauffman are not being forthright about their involvement in trying to overthrow the US Constitution.
I'd like an explanation. If either fellow wants to explain on my blog, rather than here, you're welcome to do so at:
http://peaceegalitarianism.blogspot.com/2013/04/constitution-haters.html
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