Faith Matters: Is the Church Doing Enough to Stop Violence?

The church has historically been a place where the community could come together during a time of need.

With the recent violence we want to ask if local churches are doing enough to help stop the violence.

We took our questions to a busy Little Rock barber shop and spoke to customers and barbers who are on the pulse of what's going on in the community.

Frank Scott is a customer at Good Fellas Barber shop. He says, 'I think right now churches are definitely doing their jobs. They are in the business of soul saving. There's always more work to be done and we just got to continue to pray.'

Barber Christopher Parker says, 'Those who are contributing to the violence are those that are in the streets and not really using the tools of spirituality or religion to try and control or calm those vices.'

At Good Fellas Barber shop the conversation is about the violence plaguing Little Rock's black community.

As for the church's role in curbing crime, they question if the people who need help even know the church is there for them.

Customer Darryl White says, 'I can say I'm not hearing from them. I think we should hear from them more. They should promote themselves and promote God more.'

We asked the same questions to Rev. Benny Johnson, who is also founder of the Stop the Violence movement.

He says, 'Jesus Christ went among the robbers among the burglars and among the thieves and he went out to tell them that this is not the way to live so it's our obligation especially as ministers and pastors.'

They agree the church can do more and they offer up ideas.

Barber Donald Teague says, 'You have to do something to keep a kid busy at 19-20. He doesn't have a job, he's not old enough to go to the club so what is he to do. You have a gun and if you are looking for something to get into then 9 out of 10 times it's going to be violence.'

White ads, 'Seem like they just coped up to themselves. And I think they should be out in the streets more and see where it's really at where we at out in the streets and see the outlook on it then.'

Rev. Benny Johnson finally says, 'We need to all join together. I don't care what denomination we all need to join together and if we all join together in unity it'll put an end to all the violence that's going on.'