Say you absolutely had to kill someone or else they'll kill you. Does God just excuse you for breaking this commendment? Or do you go to Hell...? I know these questions may be unanswerable... but what do you think about it?
there was a huge thread about this before. I think it was called moral relativism or something. Lots of people shared their views on this subject in there.
That was my thought. I don't believe the fellow "upstairs" exists, absent proof, but I'm sure that if he does, he wouldn't commend murder! D&D. Gods in Space.
I don't know if God would commend you for breaking one of his commandments but I think there is some Biblical justification for self-defense. I'm not a Christian so my understanding is limited and while Jesus says "turn the other cheek." I believe that you would be forgiven if it was a case of self-defense. Speaking from a karmic perspective I asked a Buddhist monk about self-defense one time and he said that while all life should be respected if someone is trying to kill you and you kill them then that is instant karma and while it is understandable you would feel bad about it it was that person's karma that caused their death.
My belief is that it is better to die than to kill in self defense. I am not saying I wouldn't kill in self defense. I just believe it is more in-line with the Christian religion I believe in. It takes great strength and faith to be able to kill in self defense and die for your beliefs. If a person is open about why he is dying at the time and before hand, his strength and character could have profound positive effects for anyone who knows that person or was there, would have to admire the person's conviction, and that could change many lives. Maybe some good could come out of that death. It may even help affect the person who did the killing.
Interesting question. I think context matters. If you're like Ghandi and marching in the face of British guns not defending yourself even with possible death that might be the situation. Jesus' own example of willing submitting to crucifixtion stresses that point since Christianity would be totally different if Jesus had struck down the Romans for laying a violent hand on him. OTOH what sort of statement are you making if you are alone at home and someone breaks into your house and rather than fighting back you let them kill you? While it may make for some newsheadlines about person violently murdered in their own home would anyone else recognize that act and lead to the change that you want? Maybe the killer might be affected by that and reform his ways but what about the good that you could've done in your lifetime? While it might be moral to turn the other cheek and not take another's life at the sametime your life has moral value too.
It certainly wouldn't have the grand effect like Ghandi or Jesus. But those who knew you, and your beliefs would have little doubt. It would affect them. But I think even more importantly it might affect the criminal. If you were able to kill him in self defense and made clear to him why you weren't doing it with that time, I would think the affect on him would be profound. It would be like the biblical parable about the shepheard who leaves behind 100 sheep to look for the one that is lost. If your death inspired people who knew you and your beliefs to become inspired enough to start some awareness activities then it would have an even broader effect. But I think realistically it would be a much smaller and more personal scale. Also you could die knowing that you never gave up your principles, and that you died doing something you believed in that took a lot strength and courage. I think that is a good way to die. Not many people have the chance to die in a situation like that.
^ Except that you are still ignoring the value that is your life. So your friends and family know that you died for your principles, what about the pain and suffering for them. What about your children that no longer have a parent to raise them to be good people? What about the good you might do in the rest of your life? Yes your principle to not take a life even in self-defense is admirable but so is being able to lead a good and long life. If someone has decided to kill you then they have written their own karma. You can choose not to be the instrument of karma because of your own beliefs but my beliefs tell me that their karma will catch up to them.
I wouldn't fault anyone for killing in self-defense, and I don't know that I could just die, if killing someone in self-defense would get me out of it. I was just stating that I believe it is a better way, and if everyone did it, then think of how many problems would be solved. I do understand that the death would cause pain and suffering for family members and friends, but it could also have helped make a point, and set an example that I would hope they followed. They would learn about commitment to a cause and belief. Something would be gained by them in return. Plus living by those principles decreases the likelihood that you would have a violent encounter of that kind to begin with.
