Last week with the Living Our Faith feature, we asked readers to respond to the question: Should congregants carry guns into houses of worship to defend themselves and the congregation? The following are a few of the many thoughtful responses we received.

This column is part of our ongoing opinion commentary on faith, called Living Our Faith. Get weekly roundups of project in your email in-box by signing up for the Living Our Faith newsletter.

Jewish law allows guns

According to Jewish law, one may not bring a weapon into a synagogue sanctuary. The sanctuary is a place of prayer and contemplation.

However, there is an exception: Where there is a risk to human life. There is now a higher priority to be considered: protecting and saving human life.

Part of our observing the Sabbath is to respond to an emergency. Saving a life, taking precautions to protect life, are part and parcel of the Sabbath and all other aspects of Jewish life.

Martyrdom for Jews is never the first choice. It has often been hoisted upon us during times of religious persecution and attacks. Fighting back to protect others is always the first choice.

This Shabbat we begin reading the Book of Exodus. In the very first episode, Moses sees an Egyptian taskmaster beating up a Hebrew slave. Moses springs into action and kills the Egyptian.

The Maccabees rose up to save the soul of the Jewish people. The very same priests who ministered in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they took up swords to fight against the enemy.

It is not contradictory to pray and to fight when necessary. It is one way of demonstrating our obligation to the lives and souls of others and thereby enhancing our own spirituality.

Rabbi Howard Wolk, Dallas

Fear of the other

How did our houses of worship become fortresses? The rise in violence is partially to blame. The inability of our governments at all levels to manage and contain violence is certainly a factor. But we are living at a time when many of our leaders preach fear to our citizenry. Many of our leaders have painted our country in a very dark light. We’ve made the “other” the proverbial big, bad wolf.

Who are these others? They are those from different faiths, other countries, different racial or socioeconomic backgrounds.

Raised on the poor side of town I learned early to take precautions, whether walking alone, riding public transportation or going into a crowded place. I still take these precautions. Yet for me, the idea of having armed guards outside or inside my house of worship is anathema. It stands juxtaposed to what my house of worship represents: a sanctuary where I can be with a God of love.

Call me naïve but I believe we should not collapse in fear due to violence. Instead, interact with other folks we meet along the journey we call life.

Catherine Mangarelli, Fairview

Founding Fathers carried guns to church

I have carried a pistol to church since doing so has been legal. In fact, I carry all the time wherever it is legal to do so.

Carrying a firearm to church is nothing new. Our Founding Fathers and their countrymen did so as evidenced by the gun racks in older churches.

While I trust in the Lord for my very being and welfare, I think God protects us by giving us the intellect and ability to take measures to survive his earthly kingdom. With proper training, there is absolutely no danger in carrying a firearm. There is no need for histrionics.

There are thousands of incidents in this country in which a firearm prevented something bad happening to potential victims. In the great majority of cases, no one was hurt. These incidents are seldom reported in the media.

I wish we lived in a world where self-protection was not necessary, but we do not. Society will always have the criminally inclined. But if we want to make an impact on these mass shootings, we should make mental health care more accessible and follow the charge given to us by Jesus Christ to love our brothers and sisters as ourselves.

Dr. Bob Deuell, Former Texas senator, Greenville

God gave us critical thinking skills

It’s a complicated issue in most complicated times. The good Lord gave us critical thinking skills in order to deal with many difficult issues. Personally, I would like to know that at any worship gathering, there are four individuals packing legally and stationed at strategic locations in an audience, prepared to shoot, while tactically trained to minimize loss of life. We just saw what happened when a man with a gun took the bad guy out during church service.

Anne Davidoff, Plano

Some are priests, some are warriors

I believe that all life is sacred, and therefore doing the best we can to protect congregants by having armed laity is absolutely consistent with that principle.

If some of us are not so inclined to carry weapons, that’s perfectly fine. The Bible throughout both the Old and New Testaments recognizes a division of labor. Some were called to be priests, and some were called to be warriors. Both, when in proper relationship to the Lord, did their work to the glory of God.

Therefore, those who shepherd spiritually can go about their business and those who carry weapons can shepherd against intruders. And the state of my soul will be just fine, thank you.

Brad Plank, Dallas

Elizabeth Souder is the commentary and Sunday Opinion editor and a member of the Dallas Morning News editorial board.