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Every so often I put up this link. I can't find the old thread, so here's a new one. It seems apt once again.
In retrospect, I'd like to point out that I don't in any way mean to attack the OP or any of those who replied positively.
I read the article and got a little ranty. I think it's entirely benevolent to believe that, at the heart of it all, there is some connecting thread that harmonizes us to at the core of our being.
What got me is the misrepresentation of the Biblical God. The article comes across as blatant propaganda, although well-meaning. However it only serves to further muddle up Christianity with insubstantial viewpoints and blatant ignorance of Biblical text.
It's like the author goes to Church every Sunday but only hears what he wants to hear, and then spouts out half-truths and whole lies.
It just gets to me.
Not all Christians are Trinitarians.
n00b mistake. apologies.
Upon completing His outburst, God fell silent, standing quietly at the podium for several moments. Then, witnesses reported, God's shoulders began to shake, and He wept
That's just fine. The "for me's" take care of nearly everything in these situations.
You did leave one unanswered. How do you feel about killing in the defense of another?
But I think people sometimes make reality more complicated than it needs to be--and again, it's because of human reasoning.
To rephrase: For me, Thou Shalt Not Kill is very simple. It means the death penalty is wrong. It means war is wrong. It means killing in revenge is wrong. And it also means killing in self-defense is wrong--again, according to what my God says. I'm not passing judgment on any other person, because that is also very, very wrong! And I strive to have compassion and understanding for all of the above people. In the case of self-defense it is very easy to understand. And I'm not even sure I'd actually follow what my God said in the instance of self-defense. I'm human, and I want to live pretty badly.
ETA: It's probably worth noting, for anyone who cares, that I don't try to follow what my God says "so I won't go to hell." (I've already been to hell, right here on earth.) It's more of a search for the meaning of life, of existence, of purpose, and of relationship with God.
Oh, you noticed that, did you?
*brain explodes*
There's no way I can see that it doesn't become me making the judgment that one person deserves to die so that another person can live. I have to pronounce "deserves death." I don't want to. I'm not God.
I would probably try to stop a killing with words or pleas. I wouldn't aim a gun at someone.*
And if it was my kids, I'd kill the person with my bare hands.
Perfectly logical, you see?
ETA: It might seem ironic, but I really do believe that people have the right to defend themselves. With guns. It's just not for me.
Oh, you noticed that, did you?
*brain explodes*
There's no way I can see that it doesn't become me making the judgment that one person deserves to die so that another person can live. I have to pronounce "deserves death." I don't want to. I'm not God.
I would probably try to stop a killing with words or pleas. I wouldn't aim a gun at someone.*
And if it was my kids, I'd kill the person with my bare hands.
Perfectly logical, you see?
ETA: It might seem ironic, but I really do believe that people have the right to defend themselves. With guns. It's just not for me.
Mattew 5:21-22
King James Version (KJV)
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matthew 5:43-45
King James Version (KJV)
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Truer words were never written.I rather figured the kill to protect your kids answer. Parent to parent, it's incredibly hard to put that kind of necessity behind even a direct commandment.