Domestic Terrorism Strikes Conservative Advocacy Group

The sense of security of those who take a stand for biblical values came under fire, literally, this week. A lone gunman entered the Washington, D.C., offices of the Family Research Council (FRC) and, thankfully, was stopped by the building’s manager who happened to be acting as a security guard at the time. The man, Leo Johnson, confronted the Virginia man and was shot in the arm while subduing him. Authorities term Mr. Johnson’s actions heroic, noting he probably prevented a much greater tragedy.

Witnesses say the gunman said something about the FRC’s policies. FRC confirmed with us that the gunman was carrying a Chick-fil-A bag and that, once he was disarmed, he said, “Don't shoot me, it was not about you, it was what this place stands for.” The Family Research Council is a nonprofit conservative advocacy group that works to advance “faith, family and freedom in public policy and public opinion.” It takes a stand against abortion and “gay” marriage. The FRC recently stood behind Chick-fil-A as the restaurant was criticized for CEO Dan Cathey’s statements proclaiming God’s definition of marriage.

The FBI and the police are jointly investigating the crime and the gunman’s background. James McJunkin of the FBI’s Washington field office said of the gunman, “We don’t know enough about him or his circumstances to determine what his connection is to this group [the research council] or his mental state, or what he was doing or thinking of doing.” However, the attack on the FRC combined with alleged statements about FRC’s biblical stands is a reminder of the Lord Jesus’s statements that men hate the light of God’s truth and those who espouse it (John 3:19–20, 7:7b, 15:18–25). There is a great deal of hatred, even in America, for those who refuse to compromise what God’s Word teaches.

There is a great deal of hatred, even in America, for those who refuse to compromise what God’s Word teaches.

The Family Research Council often reminds our government officials that they have a responsibility to protect the religious freedom, the lives of the unborn, and the integrity of marriage and the family in this country. Biblical morality is under fire in this country and around the world. Traditional morality (which is based on the Bible) is turned upside down, and it is often considered a “hate crime” to correctly identify sinful behavior.

Yet God, our Creator, not only has complete knowledge of us but also—because He is our Creator—the prerogative to define morality. Answers in Genesis CEO Ken Ham stated, soon after the incident, “FRC and their leader Tony Perkins are good friends of AiG. From the news reports and others we trust, it seems this person who shot the guard was wanting to use his actions to make a statement concerning FRC's biblical stand. Sadly, we are seeing more anti-Christian sentiment growing in this culture.”