A shooting took place today outside the D.C. offices of the Family Research Council, a organization recognized as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for their attacks against gays, lesbians and others.

No motive is known for the attack but it must be condemned by all who love God and seek justice. One guard was injured.

UPDATE: Additional information suggests this may be an act of domestic terrorism.  Before this information was known, LGBT leaders, often the victims of politicals campaigns undertaken by the Family Reseach Council, released a statement that read: "We were saddened to hear news of the shooting this morning at the offices of the Family Research Council. Our hearts go out to the shooting victim, his family, and his co-workers" and that "regardless of what emerges as the reason for this shooting, we utterly reject and condemn such violence. We wish for a swift and complete recovery for the victim of this terrible incident."

We are reminded of the words spoken by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a generation ago:

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. … Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

The anti-civil rights organization "National Organization for Marriage" is blaming this attack on the Southern Poverty Law Center.  That's irresponsible.  The Southern Poverty law Center has always promoted non-violence and justice.  Regardless of the motive of the shooter, the fact remains that the Family Research Council promotes an agenda of hate and division that must be called out.

But violence is never the way to achieve that goal.  What this does remind of us is the need for senisble gun controls that protect all people.

UPDATE: It is worth noting that the Family Research Council which has opposed sensible gun controls and partnered with the NRA did not issue statements calling for prayers in the wake of the mass shootings in Colorado or the Sikh temple.

God, Guns And The Church - The Darkest Valley from The Rev. Chuck Currie on Vimeo.