By Tracy Abler
On April 23, 2026 the Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin held their first spring conference. This year's theme was Nonviolence in Action: An Interfaith Conversation on Building the Beloved Community.
The conference began with a brief reflection on the Beloved Community, Dr. Martin Luther King’s term for what Jesus called the Reign of God. Dr. King’s understanding of this Community expanded throughout his life. By 1967 he had identified “three evil triplets” that must be overcome before the Beloved Community can emerge—racism, poverty and war. This conference brought together a diverse group of people working in various ways to build the Beloved Community by resisting these evil triplets in all their forms and others that have emerged in the struggle to build the Beloved Community .
One participant, Judy Miner of Wisconsin Network for Peace, recalls looking over the main hall filled with Quakers, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Evangelicals, Catholics, Lutherans, atheists and more. There were wonderful workshops on a variety of social justice issues to include: nonviolent climate action, protecting our democracy, gun violence prevention, immigration, alternatives to militari, criminal justice reform, just peace between Palestinians and Israelis, economic justice, and more.
Perhaps most notably were the amazing keynote speakers, Shane Claiborne and Kathy Kelly. While both gave powerful presentations, statistics from Shane felt really important for me to share. Shane Claiborne started Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living “as if Jesus meant the things he said.” Shane’s faith has led him to jail while advocating for the homeless and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. He has worked to end the death penalty and stop gun violence. He co-authored the book, Beating Guns, which shows how we can all be part of the solution to one of the most significant moral issues of our time - our country’s addiction to guns.
More Americans have died from guns in the US in the last 50 years than in all the wars in American history. This includes deaths by homicide, suicide, and accidental gun deaths - about 105 per day.
There are more guns than people in the US, even though two-thirds of people choose not to own a gun.
About half of all gun owners possess four or more guns.
There are 5 TIMES more gun dealers than McDonalds restaurants in the US.
One gun is purchased every three seconds. That’s 9.5 million per year.
The image above is a conceal and carry gun case!
The National Rifle Association (NRA) messaging continues to be on self defense, while those in favor of stricter gun laws argue more permissive gun laws are making people less safe. Independent studies tracking the shift in gun advertising show that the gun lobby has been establishing a narrative of constant risk, fear and distrust of neighbor, which has replaced the former gun culture focused on hunting and gaming. Read more here.
In his closing remarks last week, Shane said, “If you want to stop violence, figure out who is making money off of it… Some are making a killing off killing.”
