Do you believe that war is murder? (sin, Israel, Commandment)

[chris9178]

Well, not simply war, of course. Do you believe that the soldier in war, when he kills, is he committing an act of murder?

[No*s]

No. If we are to take biblical definitions, we have to remember that the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" is included in the same book that includes laws for war.

If we are to use philisophical definitions, then we can only consider it murder when it is unneccessary. Sadly, sometimes a nation will have to fight.

Is it sinful? Now that I can say yes to in every category. Is it just? Never. Is it sometimes neccessary? Sadly.

[TheIdealist]

It depends where the heart of the person who has to kill is, i believe if he is enjoying the taking of life then that is murder now if he believes he is fighting for freedom and country and his heart is in it
he definatley does not enjoy having to take another persons life and that is not murder. So war is not murder and unfortunatley is required in this life because its a sin not to defend ones family and country in my belief.

[huajiro]

My law of life....if you affect anyone else in a negative manner.....you are wrong. Killing is definitively negative.

[TheIdealist]

My law of life....if you affect anyone else in a negative manner.....you are wrong. Killing is definitively negative.-huajiro

So what do you consider killing to defend your family?

[chris9178]

I've gotta agree with the Idealist on this one. As with almost everything else, it's in the heart. Now, that's not to justify anything, because God knows our hearts MUCH better than we do. Humans tend to lie to themselves, or get in denial.
This question was posed to me by a reporter in September 2003. I hadn't, at that time, really thought much about it, or Theology at all for that matter, so I gave him one of those "I dunno...". Of course, that really made me think about it, because at the time I was a soldier in Iraq.
Well, after looking back at it all, I never did have the desire to kill anybody. In fact, it would really **** me off when everybody else wouold be talking about how they wanted to kill a bunch of Iraqis. I had to step in a few times even. But that's also a lot of machoism on their part. I don't think they actually felt like that (some did), but most just said it to be cool.
Anyways, I think it's a condition of the heart. God had the Israelites at war all the time, so to say God is against it wouldn't make much sense.
So I'd have to argue that there is a definite line between war and murder. But only you and God will know which side you fall in.

[Greyprophet]

Taking anothers life for the purpose of anothers agenda is always murder. If it is not true self defense it is murder. Therefore any country imposing its will on another is in the wrong.

Peace in Christ.

[michel]

Hi No*;

Quote[ Is it sinful? Now that I can say yes to in every category. Is it just? Never. Is it sometimes neccessary? Sadly.]

I agree with you; I am a little bit reluctant to your 'is it just? Never'; I know exactly what you mean, of course, but is there not a case for 'the lesser sin' ?ie not killing would be more sinful (as an act of omission, in order to satisfy one's conscience) than the act of killing?

[robtex]

Murder is the intentional killing of another being. War is sanctioned mass murder would be a more accurate way to state this. If the war is in response to an adverse situation or invasion than the murders are done in self-defense. Any intentional killing is murder and I think we get hung up on the negative connocations that are associated with the word murder. I think everyone has vary degrees of when murder is acceptable and some are more narrow (like mine) than others in scope.

[No*s]

Originally Posted by michel

I agree with you; I am a little bit reluctant to your 'is it just? Never'; I know exactly what you mean, of course, but is there not a case for 'the lesser sin' ?ie not killing would be more sinful (as an act of omission, in order to satisfy one's conscience) than the act of killing?

We agree wholeheartedly on our views here. We agree that there are times when we have to choose between the lesser of two evils...but I can't see it imparting justice. It's simply a forced choice.