Christianity- Not-so freedom of choice.

One of the 10 commandments states "Thou shall not murder", I've been having a hard time trying to understand how this would apply in respect to terrorists. A majority of terrorist are brought up in a community where they are brainwashed into believing that forms of terrorism are justified by their God. According to our believes would that mean that when they were born, the "Christian" God basically gave them a ticket to eternal damnation? One can only imagine that if this individual would of been brought up in a different society, they would of not turned into a terrorist. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Vogy

first of all, not all terrorists are christian, so do not hold to the commandments

second, we always have a choice, God does not make anyoen do anything against their will - at least that is what i believe

mike

Maybe I should of recognized that I understand most terrorist are not Christian. I was just saying that these people get put into scenarios where they are brainwashed. If we believe in God, then we believe that our God is their God, thus he gave life to them correct? So how is a person put in this kind of circumstance where they are brain washed suppose to be able to execute their freedom of choice?

From my understanding, in war some people feel that the commandment "Thou shall not murder" (which I believe is "Thou shall not kill") shouldn't be used in that situation. I think that you could consider this a war, that the terrorists are just on the other side of it. I think there is a debate on if that counts or not. I think that in the bible there are cases where God has commanded someone to kill another person. The terrorist in question, not what I would define them, could feel that God calls upon them to do this job.

I'm not sure if they are brainwashed into thinking that it's the right way, or if it's just their opinion. I think that if it was brainwashing, that they wouldn't really be able to be accountable for their acts. I've seen cases where a bomb has been strapped to a baby. Would the child then be accountable for the deaths? Or would it instead be the person who put the bomb there? I could see this as the same.

Vogy said:

Maybe I should of recognized that I understand most terrorist are not Christian. I was just saying that these people get put into scenarios where they are brainwashed. If we believe in God, then we believe that our God is their God, thus he gave life to them correct? So how is a person put in this kind of circumstance where they are brain washed suppose to be able to execute their freedom of choice?

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Seems to me that God himself is the Almighty Terrorist of all time.....so far.

Bangbang said:

Seems to me that God himself is the Almighty Terrorist of all time.....so far.

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Well said!

Vogy said:

Maybe I should of recognized that I understand most terrorist are not Christian. I was just saying that these people get put into scenarios where they are brainwashed. If we believe in God, then we believe that our God is their God, thus he gave life to them correct?

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agreed

So how is a person put in this kind of circumstance where they are brain washed suppose to be able to execute their freedom of choice?

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tough question, but i do not think anyone can be brainwashed to the point of killing themself against their will - i stil think there is a choice

It is unfortunate so many have been placed in such situations where they are brainwashed. As everyone has stated so far, it comes down the choice. That society chooses to murder in the name of God, and they will face the consequences of their actions no matter what intent they have. Unfortunately, children often pay for those decisions sooner than the people who decide.

btw. the command does state "thou shalt not commit murder." Murder is much different from killing.

Searcher of Light said:

btw. the command does state "thou shalt not commit murder." Murder is much different from killing.

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This was a law from God for slave owners.
Personal Injuries

12 "Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. 13 However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. 14 But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death.

Vogy said:

One of the 10 commandments states "Thou shall not murder", I've been having a hard time trying to understand how this would apply in respect to terrorists. A majority of terrorist are brought up in a community where they are brainwashed into believing that forms of terrorism are justified by their God. According to our believes would that mean that when they were born, the "Christian" God basically gave them a ticket to eternal damnation? One can only imagine that if this individual would of been brought up in a different society, they would of not turned into a terrorist. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Vogy

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No, he didn't give them a ticket to eternal damnation. When they die (or sooner, I guess is possible), and they realise that they were brainwashed, if they are sorrowful and repentent for what they are done, I'm sure god will take that into considereation. If, however, they still have no remorse, then they are murderers on the way to eternal damnation (probably). Those're my thoughts on the brainwashing thing.

First off,

Christians are not bound by the Old Testament. We were freed from the law.

Secondly,

Even brainwashed people can repent.

Vogy said:

Maybe I should of recognized that I understand most terrorist are not Christian. I was just saying that these people get put into scenarios where they are brainwashed. If we believe in God, then we believe that our God is their God, thus he gave life to them correct? So how is a person put in this kind of circumstance where they are brain washed suppose to be able to execute their freedom of choice?

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the question i think really is, is G-d's judgement absolute or relative. Is it just a broad sweeping template we all have to fit into, periord? or will we be judged individually?

i believe that G-d's judgement is relative, and how He will judge those who have been brainwashed and indoctrinated w/ hatred from day 1, i do not know.

jewscout said:

the question i think really is, is G-d's judgement absolute or relative. Is it just a broad sweeping template we all have to fit into, periord? or will we be judged individually?

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Your father knows what you need before you ask him. So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today's trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:8, 31-34

I think if God is capable of knowing what each of us needs "individually", then he's also capable of judging each of us individually because he knows what is in our heart.

If God is merciful enough to forgive a man who repents on his death bed, then is it possible he does not limit himself to forgiveness on in this physical life? Is it possible that when that person stands before Him after death and truly repents, that He still forgives?

Some would say that everyone would then repent, but you know....many would still not even when faced with the truth because of their pride and arrogance.

Melody said:

I think if God is capable of knowing what each of us needs "individually", then he's also capable of judging each of us individually because he knows what is in our heart.

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Amen Sis, Amen!!!

God knows our hearts even better than we do! Of course we can tell what's in a person's heart by what they do. "By their fruits you will know them!"

One of the 10 commandments states "Thou shall not murder", I've been having a hard time trying to understand how this would apply in respect to terrorists.

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Terrorists should not walk into a liquer store and kill the clerk, same as anyone else.

Do you have difficulty understanding Chrstian/Jewesh/Muslim soldiers? What's the functional difference?

A majority of terrorist are brought up in a community where they are brainwashed into believing that forms of terrorism are justified by their God. According to our believes would that mean that when they were born, the "Christian" God basically gave them a ticket to eternal damnation? One can only imagine that if this individual would of been brought up in a different society, they would of not turned into a terrorist.

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Name a society that has not created any terrorists.

It is unfortunate so many have been placed in such situations where they are brainwashed. As everyone has stated so far, it comes down the choice. That society chooses to murder in the name of God, and they will face the consequences of their actions no matter what intent they have.

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You mean like the Jews did throughout the old testiment?

"Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. 13 However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. 14 But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death.

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Reads much like a modern murder statute; which still allows killing (as does the OT which has many instances of God-ordaned killing, and many requirements within the law". If nothing else, "putting the man to death" neccessairily entails killing him. Must we then kill the executioner for killing?

Vogy said:

One of the 10 commandments states "Thou shall not murder", I've been having a hard time trying to understand how this would apply in respect to terrorists. A majority of terrorist are brought up in a community where they are brainwashed into believing that forms of terrorism are justified by their God. According to our believes would that mean that when they were born, the "Christian" God basically gave them a ticket to eternal damnation? One can only imagine that if this individual would of been brought up in a different society, they would of not turned into a terrorist. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Vogy

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Christians confess that Jesus Christ atones for the sin of all people who put their trust in him.

John 3.16-21
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g] 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."[h]

All of us have broken the law - Jesus taught that if we even hate a person that we have broken the command "Thou shall not murder."

Matt. 5.21-2
21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

In other words, we're all murderers; Christian, Jew, or Muslim.

For those who are devout followers of their religion, the more "liberal" theory in Christianity is that God justly saves them as well through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May God have mercy on us all!

NetDoc said:

First off,

Christians are not bound by the Old Testament. We were freed from the law.

Secondly,

Even brainwashed people can repent.

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Do you know, I need to hammer that in my mind so it will stay there; it is what I believe, yet I always have doubts, when it comes to writing it in a post.

NetDoc said:

First off,

Christians are not bound by the Old Testament. We were freed from the law.

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What about this?

Matt. 19.16-19

"16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

18"Which ones?" the man inquired.

Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"

NetDoc said:

First off,

Christians are not bound by the Old Testament. We were freed from the law.

Secondly,

Even brainwashed people can repent.

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Throught the Atonement of Christ we were released from the Law of Moses, but we still have to follow the the 10 Commandments. Now, I'm not sure if your post means, because we're not under the Law of Moses that we can kill all the people we want or I just miss interpreted your post. I hope that I misintpreted your post.

Eynah said:

From my understanding, in war some people feel that the commandment "Thou shall not murder" (which I believe is "Thou shall not kill") shouldn't be used in that situation. I think that you could consider this a war, that the terrorists are just on the other side of it. I think there is a debate on if that counts or not. I think that in the bible there are cases where God has commanded someone to kill another person. The terrorist in question, not what I would define them, could feel that God calls upon them to do this job.

I'm not sure if they are brainwashed into thinking that it's the right way, or if it's just their opinion. I think that if it was brainwashing, that they wouldn't really be able to be accountable for their acts. I've seen cases where a bomb has been strapped to a baby. Would the child then be accountable for the deaths? Or would it instead be the person who put the bomb there? I could see this as the same.

Click to expand...

Do you mean to tell me that the people that brought down the World Trade Center and are blowing up our guys and innocent Iraqis in Iraq are soldiers in a war, ergo they are in the right? That my friend is ridiculous. And if you strap a bomb on a baby, of course the child is not responsible. The child is unable to make the decision for him self, so he has committed no sin.