Clergy around the nation should start arming themselves for protection, a pastor of a Virginia congregation says.
Bishop E.W. Jackson, senior pastor of Fall Church in Chesapeake, Va., made the startling suggestion on Fox News'
"Fox & Friends," arguing alleged gunman
Dylann Roof's decision to target the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., shows a growing hostility toward Christians.
"I just think it's something we have to be aware of and not create an atmosphere where people take out their violent intentions against Christians," Jackson said. "And I would mention one other thing, and that is, I would urge pastors and men in these churches to prepare to defend themselves. It's sad, but I think that we've got to arm ourselves."
Video of the interview was posted by Media Matters for America.
Story continues below video.
Jackson asserts it's a pastor's obligation to protect his congregation.
"Look, I'm a pastor. If someone comes in to hurt my church members, I have an absolute obligation to defend them, to protect them," he said. "Nine people are dead. I think that people understand that it's sad but this is the world we live in."
Jackson also said people "jumped to conclusions about race" in the horrific bloodshed.
"I long for the day when we stop doing that in our country," he said. "We don’t know why he went into a church. But he didn’t choose a bar, he didn’t choose a basketball court, he chose a church."
"And we need to be looking at that very closely," he said.
Wednesday's fatal shooting took place during a Bible study in the basement of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church that was attended by Roof, who opened fire on the crowd killing nine of the 13 people who had gathered for worship. The church has been a staple in the Charleston community dating back to 1816,
the Christian Post notes.