Should progressives be buying guns and gas masks?

About this event

**Discussion Prompt:** The last decade has made many of us feel insecure in the stability of our society and government. The COVID pandemic exposed the fragility of supply chains, and instead of bolstering public health systems, we have a conspiratorial nutcase at the top of our public health systems. Political violence has become more common, and our wannabe dictator pardoned the January 6th rioters, making it clear that he will use all the power of the federal government to protect those who do violence in his name. Democratic norms have weakened in many countries, including the United States, and the regime is doing everything it can to shred our constitution. And we are going backward on climate change, while natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. And now we have to worry about AI bringing about chaos and calamity. We don’t know what the future holds. After all, every generation faces challenges that seem unprecedented. Maybe this too shall pass, but these developments would seem to justify serious concern. “Preppers" are often portrayed as conspiracy theorists, survivalists, or extremists stockpiling food, weapons, and underground bunkers while waiting for society to collapse. Today, however, some preparedness has become mainstream. Many people keep emergency food and water, maintain disaster kits, or have backup power for hurricanes. Others are going much further: taking firearms training, buying gas masks or body armor, learning emergency medicine, strengthening digital security, or making plans to relocate if political conditions deteriorate. This raises difficult questions for secular humanists and progressives. We generally value evidence-based decision making and resist fear-driven thinking. But we also believe in confronting reality as it is rather than as we wish it to be. If the risks are real, prudence may require preparation. If the risks are exaggerated, preparation can become expensive, isolating, or even…