[Bleak Lemming]

Just a random thought I had today.

[Gews]

Honestly, who cares?

The original meaning was apparently "though shalt not murder", but that doesn't go well with "turn the other cheek" now, does it?

Sometimes people need to be killed, /discussion. When to do it is another matter entirely...

[Bleak Lemming]

(Original post by Gews)
Honestly, who cares?

The original meaning was apparently "though shalt not murder", but that doesn't go well with "turn the other cheek" now, does it?

Sometimes people need to be killed, /discussion. When to do it is another matter entirely...

Couldn't give a toss if it does or not - just interested.

[Gews]

I'm pretty sure Jesus would say "no", and everyone else in it would say "yes".

[Christianlady]

(Original post by Bleak Lemming)
Just a random thought I had today.

Hello Bleak Lemming,

The Tanakh, or Old Testament does. However, it is important to note that the Tanakh was given to a specific group of people, the descendants of Abraham, isaac, and Jacob, after Moses led them out of slavery from Egypt.

For people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus' commands, including loving one's neighbor (Matthew 22:380-40) and loving even ones' enemies (Luke 6:27-36) go against killing, because killing does not equal loving.

Many Christians argue that Jesus is not talking about war or protecting a country, which is true. Interestingly, Jesus did not at all attempt to rescue his people from the Romans who were oppressing them. This is one of many reasons why many Jewish people did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, because the Anointed One on the throne of King David is considered to be the Hero that rescues the Jewish people from oppression, not allows them to continue to be conquered.

However, if one wants to obey Jesus' commands, killing is not acceptable. That is why many Quakers were against fighting and killing. Many Quakers were also people who first introduced making slavery illegal in both the UK and the USA, because they very much stressed loving people.

Now, does this mean that people should be doormats? No. However, if there is a way to protect oneself and not kill the human who is trying to kill you, that would be great! Oftentimes, using one's mind instead of one's murderous weapons can help avoid killing and yet still protect one's country or home.

Peace and God bless you

[kbilly]

If it is a just war, then perhaps so.

[darkeneddreams]

(Original post by Christianlady)
Hello Bleak Lemming,

For people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus' commands, including loving one's neighbor (Matthew 22:380-40) and loving even ones' enemies (Luke 6:27-36) go against killing, because killing does not equal loving.

Exactly, how can you love someone who's fully conscious, and your going to kill them fully consciously?

Many Christians argue that Jesus is not talking about war or protecting a country, which is true. Interestingly,Jesus did not at all attempt to rescue his people from the Romans who were oppressing them. This is one of many reasons why many Jewish people did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, because the Anointed One on the throne of King David is considered to be the Hero that rescues the Jewish people from oppression, not allows them to continue to be conquered.

Christians might argue the same truth about adultery (my wife doesn't care, so it doesn't matter), or "taking" someones unwanted property isn't stealing (as you haven't asked them) or other sins ..but would their answer be the same if Jesus, asked them face to face?

Jesus saved us all by dying for us. Jesus cannot change people's minds, as everyone has freewill, so either people change themselves, or God changes them. If people see the way Jesus changes lives by the way people act when living what He taught, they would also follow Him. Simple

However, if one wants to obey Jesus' commands, killing is not acceptable. That is why many Quakers were against fighting and killing.

Peace and God bless you

I'm not trying to sound like I disagree with you ChristianLady (apologies if I do) and many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Christianlady]

(Original post by darkeneddreams)
I'm not trying to sound like I disagree with you ChristianLady (apologies if I do) and many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Hello Darkeneddreams,

Oh it's ok!

This subject is one that I struggle personally struggle with because of current events. It really bothers me that my country, the USA, attacked Afghanistan in "revenge" for 9/11. I think more Christians in the USA (some did, most didn't) should have risen up and said, "Hey, Jesus commands us to love our enemies. Let's love them instead of trying to kill them!"

I am glad that American soldiers have done and some still do? humanitarian projects/work in Afghanistan. However, it would be far better to have done humanitarian projects WITHOUT the "shock and awe" bombings that destroyed the lives of thousands of people. It horrifies me that the USA is guilty of killing men, women, and children because of what some extremists, mostly from Saudi Arabia, did on 9/11, and the "ties" of Osama bin Laden to this poor country that had just gone through a horrible war with Russia and Civil War between the Taliban and those who didn't like the Taliban.

The best way, in certain cultures, to multiply one's mortal enemies who want to kill you is by killing the loved ones of the survivors. The desire for revenge is planted deep in their hearts, due to the hatred of those who killed their family members. They want revenge. They strive to get revenge. This is natural human nature. Naturally, if a person hits you, you are going to want to hit them.

The "War on Terror" cannot be won by killing. Killing just feeds the fire. Terror fought by more terror = only more terror.

The cycle of revenge is brutal and just takes more and more lives. It doesn't help anything.

Peace and God bless you, and yeah I agree with your comments.

[Phaethon]

(Original post by Christianlady)
X

Glad to see I'm not the only one who takes "Turn the other cheek" literally

[Phaethon]

(Original post by Bleak Lemming)
Just a random thought I had today.

The first Christians would say no.

Most Christians today would say yes.

All depends on to whom you're asking the question, and if the dead are always wrong, guess the answer is 'yes'

[Stiff Little Fingers]

(Original post by Gews)
Honestly, who cares?

The original meaning was apparently "though shalt not murder", but that doesn't go well with "turn the other cheek" now, does it?

Sometimes people need to be killed, /discussion. When to do it is another matter entirely...

It doesn't?

Strange, I'd've thought a line with the apparent meaning of not stooping to someone else's level should they wrong you would go quite well with an instruction not to kill people.

Now if you were to refer to "an eye for an eye" then I'd agree (aside from that last line about people needing to be killed).