Question for the Christian Right: When is it ok to kill someone?
598300
Question: "What does the Bible say about the death penalty / capital punishment?"\n\n \n\nAnswer: The Old Testament law commanded the death penalty for various acts: murder (Exodus 21:12), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), bestiality (Exodus 22:19); adultery (Leviticus 20:10); homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), being a false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:5), prostitution and rape (Deuteronomy 22:4), and several other crimes. However, God often showed mercy when the death penalty was due. David committed adultery and murder, yet God did not demand his life be taken (2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-17; 2 Samuel 12:13). Ultimately, each and every sin we commit should result in the death penalty (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, God demonstrates His love for us in not condemning us (Romans 5:8).\n\n \n\nWhen the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and asked Him if she should be stoned, Jesus replied, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7). This should not be used to indicate that Jesus rejected capital punishment in all instances. Jesus was simply exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus into breaking the Old Testament Law...they truly did not care about the woman being stoned (where was the man who was caught in adultery?) God was the One who instituted capital punishment: “Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Therefore, I would say that Jesus would support capital punishment. Jesus also demonstrated grace when capital punishment was due (John 8:1-11). The Apostle Paul definitely recognized the power of the government to institute capital punishment where appropriate (Romans 13:1-5).\n\n \n\nSo, basically, we are back to were we started. Yes, God allows capital punishment. But at the same time, God does not always demand the death penalty when it is due. What should a Christian’s view on the death penalty be, then? First, we must remember that God has instituted capital punishment in His Word; therefore, it would be presumptuous of us to think that we could institute a higher standard than He or be more kind than He. God has the highest standard of any being since He is perfect. This standard applies not only to us but to Himself. Therefore, He loves to an infinite degree, and He has mercy to an infinite degree. We also see that He has wrath to an infinite degree, and it is all maintained in a perfect balance
8787
You should not mercy kill anyone.  People have come out of comas 20 years later, and stranger recoveries have taken place with brain damaged folks.\n\nIf you have a living will, it should indicate your wishes should you become incapicated.
96649
I think it's a very misunderstood issue - the other answers confirm this. You can't simply label it "murder" and feel satisfied with yourself for being morally surperior. It's not that simple. \n\nIf an abortion takes place early on, this "human being" is still only a collection of cells, no bigger than the period at the end of this sentence.\n\nI refuse to decide whether it is right or wrong, however, because, I will admit, I am no expert on the subject. But neither are most of the people who have answered "Murder!" It is not our place to make that decision, nor is it anyone's place to harass a woman who is trying to decide whether or not to go through with one.
1167539
Nothing is right when it is used to kill.It is not right to kill in order to spread democracy.It is not right to kill because of a political view.It is not right to kill for a belief.\n\nUnfortunately, many don't care what is right and what is wrong.
385201
Because it's wrong to kill people?
600911
Virtually no one, of any political party, believes killing is always wrong.  The question is: when is it justified?\n\nAlmost everyone agrees that killing is justified when it is necessary to protect your own life or the life of another.  People opposed to abortion generally believe that killing innocents is morally wrong.  Many of those same people also believe that killing as a punishment for a crime is also wrong.  However, many believe that killing as a punishment for especially heinous crimes (multiple murders, killing a cop, killing a child) is justified.\n\nThe common thread is a moral one: a baby has done nothing to deserve getting killed.  He or she did not even come into being voluntarily, that was thrust upon him.  A serial killer, on the other hand, has, by his actions, discarded all pretense of being a moral actor.  He has forfeited whatever claim he may have had to inclusion in the moral community.\n\nI think the question whether, and to what extent, abortion should be permitted ought to be democratically determined.  Not because I think baby-killing is OK--I think it is a horrible, gruesome, almost unimaginably brutal act--but because I think it is of such importance that any society ought to be forced to choose it explicitly.  By voting.  I think if people want to choose to be part of a society that kills babies, that is perfectly OK.  Be baby killers.  Some societies have chosen to be slave owners.  Some have chosen to eat the flesh of their enemies.  Some have chosen to exterminate those of another race or culture.  If you think killing babies enriches the culture, go, live your dream.
333014
in 6:151 and 17:31 in the Quran, people are prohibited from killing their own children out of fear of poverty and are also prohibited of killing ANY SOUL wrongfully...\n\nany person who has to make such a difficult decision should take a good look inside and find out reallt why would they want to do this. if they are faced with an unwanted pregnancy and have no justified reason (health issues for example) to commit abortion, then i guess  they should resign to the will of GOD... If they decide to be on GOD's path, then He will be on their side
987949
The issue is really the purpose behind the killing. Is it killing to get rid of injustice and oppression, or is it meaningless killing or killing based upon blind assumptions? \n\nIf its the first case, then killing is perfectly justified.
508752
How do you justify spiritually the killing of another human being, when you are the President of a country? It it the fastest draw theory? Is it God told you it is OK? Is it because when God said, "Thou shat not kill", He was talking to someone else other then you?
447758
The only people who can legally kill people are the state. That is how conservatives see it. A medical doctor cannot make a decision on life and death. \n\nI do consider myself a consevative however I believe it to be hypocrytical of christians who are against abortion and euthanasia but for the death penalty. Makes no sense at all.
785175
This was a statement made by one of the leaders during the Crusades when a Christian soldier asked him how he was to determine who was Christian and who was not in the Holy Land because he did not want to kill other believers.\nSo to me this man was saying that killing innocents in war was justifiable because when they died God would know if they were innocent or quilty.  \nProblem is God also knows that your conscious is telling you that killing innocent people is wrong, thus bringing guilt upon yourself too.\nIf you make this statement now I would still believe you are referring to the killing of many people in war and I would still suspect that you are talking about a war between two different religions, ie Christian and Muslim etc.
331910
In Moses time, people were stoned for commiting crimes.  Killing people because of their crimes is common in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament.  When Jesus came to earth, it really changed the opinion as a question came out after Jesus was crucified.  \nWhat right does man have to kill other humans because of judgement?  are we not all sinners?
824564
I posted a question a while back on discrepancies in the bible.  It was not an attacking question, not rude, not, IMHO, offensive.  It was a question.  It basically stated that I had read somewhere that every verse in the bible was directly contradicted elsewhere and I asked whether it was true and where I might find documentation if so. \n\nThe question was deleted.\n\nThe moral of the story is, hide in a corner and don't do anything to offend anyone.  Don't do anything anyone disagrees with.  Wait, some people might be offended if you hide in a corner.  Just kill yourself.  Oh, no, Christians are morally outraged at suicide (although not at murder of an unborn child, drug addiction, murder in the name of 'patriotism' or 'for God' or as punishment for crime....) so better not kill yourself.  Um.....I guess just stand around and try not to breathe anyone else's air and no one will get mad, report you, ask for your questions to be removed.....whatever.
539072
I don't approve in Mercy Killing wherever it may occur. As long as you can, support him/her and never decide his/her death. There is no such thing as mercy in killing, no matter how you see her/him in pain, it is not our decision to take his/her life away, but God's.
442494
So sad....\nThe Bible prohibits the killing of innocent people (Deu. 19:10). "Thou shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13, NKJV; Genesis 9:5).\nlook how "John the Baptist" responded in the womb to the presence of Jesus, who was newly conceived in the womb of Mary (Luke 1:39-44). \n\nYou shall not slay a child by abortion, if you dont like to have a baby ... DONT SEX!!!
867665
Thank you! I totally agree! I am all for it. If you kill someone you have already ruined a families lives forever, the least they can get is to know that you can't hurt another family. Wait, is this Paul or the Italian friend that asked?
615013
ANYONE who kills in the name of their religion is acting outwith it and do not represent it.\n\nPeople who claim interpretations that allow them to are deluding themselves to assume social acceptable.\n\nBTW if people who are Islamic/christian who kill do not kill because they are Islamic/christian, they do it in pursuit of an aim.\n\nIf a vegetarian kills, does that make vegetarians killers? (class discuss)\n\nPeace out