Houses of worship are meant to be places of shelter, reflection and peace, where strangers are welcome. But the recent string of high-profile mass shootings is a reminder violence can happen anywhere, prompting some faith leaders to ramp up security.
show that incidents in churches, synagogues, temples and mosques increased 34.8% between 2014 and 2018.
Religious leaders who once preferred to leave security in the hands of the divine are taking precautions that seemed unthinkable years prior, Stivi said. More congregants are carrying concealed handguns to services, too, he said. Today an armed police officer watches over Sunday services at Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, said the Rev. Kylon Middleton, who leads the congregation. When an officer is unable to be on campus for church events, members carrying concealed weapons keep watch.
In the wake of the massacre, security discussions at Mt. Zion factor worship style into the equation, including the need for some to always keep their eyes open, especially when most have theirs closed in prayer, Middleton said.
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U.S. houses of worship increase security after shootingsHouses of worship are meant to be places of shelter, reflection and peace, where strangers are welcome
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U.S. houses of worship increase security after shootingsHouses of worship are meant to be places of sanctuary where strangers are welcome. But after recent high-profile shootings, leaders across faiths are facing decisions on the best ways to protect their congregations.
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