Is Attending Church a Sanctuary or a Safety Risk?
- Ella Katzenbach
- Oct 10
- 3 min read
By: Ella Katzenbach
It has been no secret that the history of security over religion in the United States has
been everything but ensuring the safety of others. For dozens of generations, the Jewish religion was constantly under fire of anti-semitism which began this domino effect of extreme hatred towards organized faiths. Soon enough, Christianity and was also placed under the radar. The FRC (Family Research Council) reported 50 cases in 2018 of hostile crimes against religious faiths. This number drastically increased to a shocking number of 485 in 2023 and 415 in 2024. These hate crimes include, “vandalism, 55 instances of arson, 14 bomb threats, and 47 "other."...the number of gun-related incidents in 2024 (28) was more than double the number identified in 2023 (12)”(FRC). Most of these cases reported took place in California with Pennsylvania as its runner-up.
One case that hit closer to home within the Latter-Day Saints community was the recent shooting in Grand Blanc, Michigan on September 28, 2025. On the Sunday after President Nelson’s passing was announced, news broke that a man drove a pickup truck straight through an LDS church building during sacrament. After the man crashed his car, he began to open fire to the congregation. The shooter also set the building on fire which left two people dead from gunshot wounds and two others from the fire. Immediately following the event, investigators declared that this was an act of extreme targeted violence.
Despite this horrendous act, a fundraiser for the gunman's family managed to raise $275,000 as a gesture of forgiveness and love. This charitable effort was a true reminder of the core message of the Church. Jesus taught his disciples to love their neighbors and to forgive those who wrong us. However, the damage that was done to the families who lost their loved ones at Grand Blanc doesn’t discredit the gunman's heinous actions.
Because we are living in a time of frequent turmoil and unrest, attending church has been a first instinct for many members to go to when they are in need of feeling peace. The Church has been a place that is open to everyone no matter the religious background. Prophets and apostles have taught for years to invite those to come to Christ through activities and services. Logically speaking, there is no security installed in church buildings and the doors remain open to literally anyone on Sundays. This means that church-attendees are an easy target for any violent acts to take place. Does this mean that due to the recent spike of extreme acts being committed towards religious crowds, is church considered a safe space for members to go to when needing sanctuary?
Many students at BYU that I interviewed about this topic didn’t feel comfortable enough to answer considering it was a heavy subject. Those who were willing to respond did so with a sense of hesitation in their answer when I begged the question, “Do you feel safe at Church?”.
Although their answers did involve their agreement that they do feel safe at church; nevertheless, it was easily transparent there was a level of uncertainty. What happened at the shooting in Grand Blanc could happen to anyone at any church building. When I asked if the church should install measures of security, one person did agree that any policemen who are in the ward should take charge in ensuring other’s safety.
When I asked a student named Henry what he thought about the religious turmoil that was taking place within the United States he replied with the simple answer, “Christ is coming again soon”.
Despite religious turmoil and targeted hate, the incident that happened in Michigan was a great example of Christ-like love and forgiveness to those who were wronged. Even though it was a horrific act committed, this doesn’t mean that it won’t happen again. In times of danger, additional precautions are necessary to maintain a safe place of worship, so the Church can serve as a sanctuary for those seeking peace.
The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent the position of Ward Radio News. Ward Radio News is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church) and does not officially represent the Church.
I'm currently serving as a president of a medium sized branch in the western U.S. We keep our doors locked at all times and have someone let people in for meetings. Last year a guy came in during Sacrament Meeting and rifled through every drawer and cabinet in the kitchen. He removed a ceiling tile and was beginning to move into the ceiling when a branch member saw him and the guy fled out the door.
In a couple previous years we had significant vandalism to a cinder block wall at the back of the property by local kids and adults who wanted it knocked down to provide easier access to a local park. It was fixed multiple times an…
what is it with people using disparaging terms to refer to a group of people? that is a form of discrimination and disrespect. this move does not bring accreditation to the statement.
I stopped reading at ‘morons’.
To you all Mormons and Utah Morons read DC 134:12, and Alma 43: 46-47 about self-defense. Many will say "Jesus will save me" while my family is being shot and killed by the enemy. That's nice thinking. Don't put your children in the arms of a murdering man.
The church buildings are 100% failure to stay safe from foreign intruders. It's too easy for a suicidal person or two to walk-in and surprise shoot everyone. Where is the warning system to members. Oh wait, the warning is the intruder first shot, too late. The church headquarters will not do anything to protect the members, except pray. OK thats nice faith. The church buildings need at least 1. door mag loc…