A typical American church service includes religious hymns, readings from the Bible and prayers. But a house of worship in Kentucky is seeking to add a new element: guns.

In an effort to encourage gun ownership, The New Bethel Church in Louisville, Kentucky is hosting an 'open carry' service on 27 June.

Promoters of the Independence Day event are asking attendees to bring their unloaded weapons to the service, which will include patriotic music, talks by gun store owners and a raffle to win a handgun.

Ken Pagano, New Bethel's pastor, said the event was planned months ago and will continue despite Sunday's shooting of abortion doctor George Tiller at a Kansas church.

He said the momentum for the service grew during Barack Obama's candidacy for president. Firearm sales have surged since Obama was elected president over fears he will tighten gun laws.

Pagano said the event is "just a celebration we're doing to coincide with Fourth of July". "There are people who own firearms and do so responsibly and enjoy them as a sport, maybe like golfing or bowling."

Critics argue the service goes against Jesus Christ's message of peace. Reverend Jerry Cappel, president of the Kentuckiana Interfaith Community, said: "Even if I were perfectly comfortable with open-carry handguns or gun rights, it seems to me a completely whole other thing to connect those rights to Jesus Christ."

Combining the event "with one who explicitly called us to put down the sword and pick up the cross and love our enemies and turn the other cheek, it just makes no sense," he said.