We Miss You Every Day: Discussion Guide

We Miss You Every Day:

A Call to End Gun Violence

Discussion Guide

Thank you for joining us in watching this video that we hope will spur discussion and action around ending gun violence.  We are delighted that you have chosen this video for your group to watch.  The video is available for viewing online at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9B8jR1tYAg&feature=youtu.be.  You may choose to watch the video all in one setting, or you may choose to break it up into two segments and discuss these questions. 

1.  Rev. James Turner stood in the spot in his church where the caskets are brought in for funerals. What is the emotional toll that tragic loss of life can cause families? Churches?  Communities?
    

2. Rabbi Philip Rice brings up the emphasis on the sanctity of life within his faith tradition. What does your faith tradition say about the sanctity of life? 
    

3. The images behind the cantor’s song were of the scene surrounding the Tree of Life Synagogue after the tragic shooting that happened there on October 27, 2018.  When you see or hear about shootings at communities of faith, what emotions come up?  What is your initial reaction in the moments afterwards? Is your initial reaction different from the reaction you have after a few days of reflection?  What steps can we take to prevent this kind of violence?
    

4. Anissa Jayathilake from the Buddhist tradition talked about the tradition of non-violence within Buddhism.  Are there texts in your tradition that speak against violence?
    

5. Rev. Jeannie Hunter shared the tragic story of her cousin who was murdered in 2016.As a remedy to gun violence, she encourages those who preach to preach on non-violence, love, unity, and hope.  What sermons, reflections, or books have you heard on these themes? What effect did hearing about these themes have on you or your community?

6. Mayher Bedi from the Sikh community shared about a shooting in the Sikh community in Wisconsin in 2012.  She speaks about the Sikh’s acceptance of all and emphasis on respecting and tolerating all religious traditions.  How could the acts of tolerance and acceptance help prevent gun violence?
    

7. The founder of our collaboration, Amy Hoskins, uses poetry to explore and discuss gun violence.  Her poem “Hope for Him” recounts a shooting in her neighborhood. How does gun violence have ripple effects, even on strangers? In what ways does it change your life, your actions?
    

8. In her testimony, Trina Anderson talked about losing her son to gun violence and the faith she has in God despite the violence.  She sees easy access to guns as part of the solution to gun violence.  What are steps we can take to help prevent easy access to guns?
    

9. Tennessee has an ongoing problem with children and unsecured guns. There have been 119 incidents involving minor children picking up guns, and 43 of those incidents resulted in the death of a child. Beth Joslin Roth with Safe Tennessee Project shared the incidents that happened this year.  She shares that safe storage saves lives. How can we promote safe storage of guns among ourselves and our congregations?
    

10. Imam Ossama Bahloul shared with us that Islam teaches that life is sacred.  This teaching extends to all forms of harm towards others. What texts from your sacred tradition speak against harming others?
     

11. Rev. Keith Caldwell speaks both as a pastor and as the now past president of NAACP. He talks about social sin – the sin that has been industrialized through unjust public policy and oppression of people. What social sin do you see in Nashville community? How can we combat those unjust systems? He talks about praying with our legs. What does that mean for you?
     

12. The Mennonite Central Committee offered a prayer for the grieving that comes with gun violence. If prayer is part of your faith tradition, what prayer requests would you lift up for survivors of gun violence? What prayer requests would you lift up to prevent gun violence?
     

13. Dr. Anita Herron, lead chaplain for the police, brought words about how sorrow and happiness are part of our human experience, dependent on circumstances. She brings in John 15:4, which encourages Christian believers to abide in God.  In the Christian tradition, God brings healing from pain and brings joy.  What does your religious tradition say about the presence of both joy and pain in life?
     

14. Randi Driscoll’s song “Angel Choir” was written right after the tragedy at Newtown, CT where in 2012 twenty-eight people died and two were injured when a gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary. What steps, if any, have you seen to prevent school shootings?

Thank you for watching and discussing this important topic.  Please see the attached program for partners who are working to end gun violence. If you would like to join our efforts, please contact Amy Hoskins at nicegvone@gmail.com.