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Could it happen here?
Published August 11, 2008
Sitting in church on a Sunday morning should be the safest place in the world, but as the nation learned a little over a week ago, even churches are not immune to senseless violence.
A man opened fire with a shotgun on Sunday morning, July 27, in a church in Knoxville, Tenn., killing two and wounding seven members of the congregation. The alleged shooter, Jim D. Adkisson, was unknown to the congregation and had no prior contact with the church.
Like many churches, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, where the shooting occurred, had no security policies in place.
Church security is a complicated issue with no cut and dried answers.
Dr. Robert Gamble of Calvary Baptist Church in Scottsboro said his church has no security measures in place.
"Until things like that come along, you don't think about that happening," Gamble said.
Gamble said he remembers a time when churches were left unlocked at all times. Now, that is not possible because crime can occur even at church.
Gamble said at times Calvary has gotten some members to patrol the parking lot during the service because cars had recently been burglarized.
But taking precautions against a possible threat of violence is not something Calvary has considered, Gamble said.
"You don't want to put armed guards or metal detectors in a church because we are people of faith," Gamble said.
Gamble said he believes violence in churches is still an exception to the rule and that the threat of violence is part of living in a free society.
Dr. Roger Mardis, pastor of Agape Baptist Church, said his church also has no security plans in place except in the nursery.
"We have people who are watchful, but no real plan in place other than the power of God to protect us," Mardis said.
Dr. Steven Screws, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Scottsboro, said all Methodist churches in the north Alabama area are required to have "safe sanctuary" policies, especially in relation to children.
From the church's daycare to the children's Sunday School and other activities, all people who work with children must submit to a background check.
During services, the ushers walk the grounds of the church around the fellowship hall, the front of the church and the education department to be on the lookout for any suspicious activities. The ushers are also periodically trained in how to deal with any situations they might encounter.
Screws said at previous churches he has pastored, there have been potentially dangerous situations that occurred at the church, from family violence to mentally disturbed individuals.
All three pastors interviewed agreed it is a sad commentary on our society that violence can occur in any place, including a church.
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