Here's the question:

To what extent can you be Christian, and agree with killing people?

If you have evidence that someone is planning to commit murder, and the only way to stop them is to shoot them dead, how, if at all, can that be reconciled with Christian beliefs about killing?

Here's the question:

To what extent can you be Christian, and agree with killing people?

If you have evidence that someone is planning to commit murder, and the only way to stop them is to shoot them dead, how, if at all, can that be reconciled with Christian beliefs about killing?

are you serious? christians kill people all the time without a second thought. infact , people of all religions do this.

Here's the question:

To what extent can you be Christian, and agree with killing people?

If you have evidence that someone is planning to commit murder, and the only way to stop them is to shoot them dead, how, if at all, can that be reconciled with Christian beliefs about killing?

When God said "thou shalt not kill" he was specifically talking about Christians, the unborn, and Terri Schiavo.

Anyone else can (literally) go to hell.

Here's the question:

To what extent can you be Christian, and agree with killing people?

If you have evidence that someone is planning to commit murder, and the only way to stop them is to shoot them dead, how, if at all, can that be reconciled with Christian beliefs about killing?

Within this hypothetical, it cannot be reconciled. But you have to understand Christian ethics as being deontological, not utilitarian, and this is where your reasoning is misguided.

If I recall correctly, the hebrew term used in the commandment about not killing does not translate exactly to the English word 'kill'. Many Christian and Jewish theologians take this to mean that there are cases where killing is not strictly forbidden.

Here's the question:

To what extent can you be Christian, and agree with killing people?

If you have evidence that someone is planning to commit murder, and the only way to stop them is to shoot them dead, how, if at all, can that be reconciled with Christian beliefs about killing?

To no extent. Christ commands, "Resist not the evil man" and of old it was said, "Thou shall not kill." It is not of Christ's teachings to kill of defense or of aggression. Nor is it of Christ's teachings to kill of intercessory defense.

Does this mean someone claiming Christ will follow these rules? Nope. But some have...look at the 60s in the US. Groups of Christian blacks marching down the street, being mauled by dogs, fire-hosed, clubbed, shot, and so on...yet they kept true to the teachings of Christ. As a result, much of the nation saw the horrors of bigot ideology in the abuse and killing of peaceful men. By following Christ's teachings, these men helped change the social landscape of an entire nation.

Does this mean someone claiming Christ will follow these rules? Nope. But some have...look at the 60s in the US. Groups of Christian blacks marching down the street, being mauled by dogs, fire-hosed, clubbed, shot, and so on...yet they kept true to the teachings of Christ. As a result, much of the nation saw the horrors of bigot ideology in the abuse and killing of peaceful men. By following Christ's teachings, these men helped change the social landscape of an entire nation.

I want to read more. Got any links?

the commandment would be more true if it said Thou shalt not kill...unles that person is a diffrent color then you/talks to a diffrent invisible man than you/ DOESNT have an imaginary friend/ doesnt hate fags/ reads the bible diffrently from you/ you susspect them of being a WITCH...
so basicly it should say Thou shalt not kill white aryan evangelists everyone else is fair game

When God gave moses the 10 commandments, they were meant for the Jews. Christianity was not a religion back then.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong but, Christians are the followers of Jesus Christ, and in Christ's own words he said: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

So, I would say no, it is not acceptable under any circumstances for a christian to kill.

^Good point.

He also said "Do unto others as you would have it done unto you," something that many hate-mongering Christians conveniently overlook.

Only under certian circumstances it is, actually.


Jesus also calls Christians to serve their country, and if that calls for War, or the elimination of the evil in another country, it is OK.


If you need me to, I can cite it, but im pretty sure google can solve this one.

Only under certian circumstances it is, actually.


Jesus also calls Christians to serve their country, and if that calls for War, or the elimination of the evil in another country, it is OK.


If you need me to, I can cite it, but im pretty sure google can solve this one.

No he doesn't. He says, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's." That was in reference to the Roman's taxation of their extended empire. Give the money Rome demands, but give your heart and soul to God.

Does not the Bible say these two things? "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" and "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."

As for those who are called to war yet are innocent of having the desire for dominion or power: we are told why nations war, so we know they plot to sin. Thus Proverbs has something to say on this:
"My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, 'Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; Cast in your lot among us, let us all have one purse.' My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood."

War is the child of the desire for power and dominion. War is sin.

As for the verses commonly used to support killing in any form:

"...'and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: And He was numbered with the transgressors. For the things concerning Me have an end.' So they said, 'Lord, look, here are two swords.' And He said to them, 'It is enough.'"

Now: "...'Lord, shall we strike with the sword?' And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, 'Permit even this.' And He touched his ear and healed him."

So they are to carry swords. Yet when one of them used their sword, Christ heals the wounded man. This sounds totally pro-war to me.

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; And 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me."

Now: Christ says what he means at the end of this quote. If you desire the peace of your household more than you love God, you are not worthy of God. In the servitude of God, we will inevitably be set against the wishes of our family members.

I am learning about this too, and I really like your ideas Hex.


But, I do have a question.


When you quoted proverbs, it is metaphorically talking about a group who is plotting to kill the innocent.


What I am talking about is righteous war, such as stopping a Genocide, or other horrific crimes.


I do feel it is right to intervene when bad things are happening in any situation in life, but when words wont work, I think it is right to stop it with force.


Why would this not be right?

I am learning about this too, and I really like your ideas Hex.


But, I do have a question.


When you quoted proverbs, it is metaphorically talking about a group who is plotting to kill the innocent.


What I am talking about is righteous war, such as stopping a Genocide, or other horrific crimes.


I do feel it is right to intervene when bad things are happening in any situation in life, but when words wont work, I think it is right to stop it with force.


Why would this not be right?

Well, from my understanding of the quote I provided from Proverbs, taken into the context of the whole first chapter, is metaphorically talking about one resisting the temptation to be involved in evil in any way. The path of death leads to itself; one doesn't have to interfere with evil to end it, it brings about its own demise.

Take a look at the Soviet Union, for a recent example: Ran by secret police, political assassinations, oppression, and more, it collapsed from the inside upon itself. For a more personal example, look at the pursuit of fleshly desires: Drugs, promiscuity, and gluttony are easy ones to describe this truth in: They lead to tremendously unhealthy lives that simply cannot stand up anymore. The individual that has chosen this path will bring his own punishment upon himself; if he realizes his own treachery, he will be saved...but if he holds to the pride that disallows him to accept his wrongs he will perish.

As to your specific question of stopping genocides, or other evils:

As hard as it may be to accept this, it is the duty of God to work within the hearts of the men involved in evil; it is not the duty of man to force others to adhere to the Commandments. For man to enforce the commandments in another's life, he must break them in his own life. If one is to kill another, and I kill he who was to kill, then I am now the one who has shed blood without cause, "He who finds his life has lost his soul; he who loses his life for Me has saved his soul." In this scenario of killing a killer: I stepped in upon my judgment of God's will, deemed another guilty of sin, and executed their punishment in violation of these laws: "Judge not lest you be judged." "'Vengeance is MINE,' says the LORD." "Resist not the evil man." "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Now, on the other hand, if you have the opportunity to disarm a gunman without shedding his blood, that would not be the execution of judgment, nor of finding guilt, nor of punishment: This is solely an act of saving life.