Theists, please tell me why you believe murder is wrong.

[EconGuy]

Now, to be clear I know murder is wrong, but I'm curious the reason.

I also know they Bible says murder is wrong, but can someone tell me if that's the root of the reason that you (the theist) believe that it's wrong to murder?

-Cheers

 

[SalixIncendium]

You do understand not all theists find the Bible to be relevant to their religion, yes?

 

[EconGuy]

You do understand not all theists find the Bible to be relevant to their religion, yes?

Of course, but I think what you're trying to say is that my question implies that Christian theism is theism. I wrote it like that because Christianity is the dominant form of theism in the US and honestly mostly the group I expected to hear from, but I didn't mean any disrespect to non-Christian theists.

That said, would you take a poke at my question from your point-of-view.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Now, to be clear I know murder is wrong, but I'm curious the reason.

I also know they Bible says murder is wrong, but can someone tell me if that's the root of the reason that you (the theist) believe that it's wrong to murder?

-Cheers

Because.

 

[EconGuy]

Because.

Truly profound.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Of course, but I think what you're trying to say is that my question implies that Christian theism is theism. I wrote it like that because Christianity is the dominant form of theism in the US and honestly mostly the group I expected to hear from, but I didn't mean any disrespect to non-Christian theists.

That said, would you take a poke at my question from your point-of-view.

Sure, but let me preface what I'm about to say with I'm not a theist.

I live by principle of nonviolence (ahimsa in Sanskrit), so murder, obviously would stand in conflict with that principle. And this is not just exclusive to murdering people, but other living beings as well. I've lived by this principle even prior learning the term or discovering Hinduism. The understanding that murder is wrong is inherent to who I am.

 

[F1fan]

A Christian once told me that it shouldn't be illegal to kill an atheist since they are godless. They didn't think secular governments had the right to protect atheists, but had no choice but to obey godless laws. Human rights are not for humans to decide, according to them as a human. This is a rare attitude, but I found it both funny and frightening.

 

[JustGeorge]

I'm a Hindu polytheist, and am largely unfamiliar with the Bible.

I think murder is wrong based on basic empathy... I don't want anyone to kill me, why would I kill them? This extends to animals. I try to avoid harming plant life as well, when possible.

 

[VoidCat]

Im a polytheist. I think murder is wrong cuz it takes a life wtf what kind of question is that? Like @JustGeorge. said it's basic empathy no one wants to be murdered it'd harm someone and possibly multiple people if they had family.

Loss hurts.

 

[Left Coast]

Now, to be clear I know murder is wrong, but I'm curious the reason.

I also know they Bible says murder is wrong, but can someone tell me if that's the root of the reason that you (the theist) believe that it's wrong to murder?

-Cheers

I don't think most theists, even Bible-believing ones, would say that they think murder is wrong just because the Bible says so. They'd probably say the Bible says so because murder is wrong. If I was to put on their hat, I think they'd say murder is wrong because human life is sacred and thus we should not take it from the innocent.

 

[EconGuy]

I'm a Hindu polytheist, and am largely unfamiliar with the Bible.

I think murder is wrong based on basic empathy... I don't want anyone to kill me, why would I kill them? This extends to animals. I try to avoid harming plant life as well, when possible.

So would it be fair to say that you value life? And that value, driven by knowledge and empathy is the basis for saying that murder is wrong?

 

[EconGuy]

wtf what kind of question is that?

I'm interested in people's justifications for their moral positions, specifically how theists come to believe that murder is wrong. So far we have a few polytheists who've shared their views. I'm hoping some Christian mono-theists will join the conversation.

 

[EconGuy]

I don't think most theists, even Bible-believing ones, would say that they think murder is wrong just because the Bible says so

I agree that's what most Bible believing Christians would say. I would like to discuss that position with a Christian, let's hope that a Christian joins the conversation!

 

[VoidCat]

I'm interested in people's justifications for their moral positions, specifically how theists come to believe that murder is wrong. So far we have a few polytheists who've shared their views. I'm hoping some Christian mono-theists will join the conversation.

I can't imagine another possible response besides basic empathy.

 

[EconGuy]

I can't imagine another possible response besides basic empathy.

Then you lack imagination

Seriously, let's explore that.

Can we agree that empathetic system of morality are subjective?

 

[VoidCat]

Then you lack imagination

Seriously, let's explore that.

Can we agree that empathetic system of morality are subjective?

They are but what I would think most who truly believe murder to be wrong I'd hope wouldn't kill someone cuz the suffering and pain it causes before other moral reasoning. I am sure there's other reasons ie destroys society, scriptures tell them, life is sacred, but id hope before anything else just basic empathy would be the main reason

 

[JustGeorge]

So would it be fair to say that you value life? And that value, driven by knowledge and empathy is the basis for saying that murder is wrong?

Sure, that works for me.

I'm interested in people's justifications for their moral positions, specifically how theists come to believe that murder is wrong. So far we have a few polytheists who've shared their views. I'm hoping some Christian mono-theists will join the conversation.

That's often how it goes in these parts. Folks come in hoping for the Christians, and all us non Christians rush in to reply...

Makes me feel like chopped liver at times...

I agree that's what most Bible believing Christians would say. I would like to discuss that position with a Christian, let's hope that a Christian joins the conversation!

Just a tip you might appreciate: If you ever want to make a thread in which only Christians can respond, post your question in Religious Q&A and specify "Christians Only".

But, how about you? If you believe murder is wrong, how did you come to those beliefs?

 

[dybmh]

Now, to be clear I know murder is wrong, but I'm curious the reason.

I also know they Bible says murder is wrong, but can someone tell me if that's the root of the reason that you (the theist) believe that it's wrong to murder?

-Cheers

The length of a person's life is, in theory, God's will. Murder interfere's with God's will. This begs the question about any sort of killing for the purpose of food, because, that killing can be perceived as an individual altering the life span of any living thing in opposition to God's will. Answering that question requires many more words. If you would like me to elaborate, please let me know.

 

[dybmh]

A Christian once told me that it shouldn't be illegal to kill an atheist since they are godless

Sounds like a self-identity which does not reflect the principles included in the word "Christian".

Assuming, of course, what you're saying is true.

 

[JustGeorge]

The length of a person's life is, in theory, God's will. Murder interfere's with God's will. This begs the question about any sort of killing for the purpose of food, because, that killing can be perceived as an individual altering the life span of any living thing in opposition to God's will. Answering that question requires many more words. If you would like me to elaborate, please let me know.

I would like you to elaborate.