I have not read any of the recent postings--I am tired and have little time right now--but I'll take an on-topic stab at the heart of the issue:
What is killing?
That isn't some Clintonian "definition of 'is'" question, it is asking not for the definition of killing, but how one interprets "You shall not kill".
Is it killing anything at all, animals included? Is it killing humans? Is it murder, self-defense, capital punishment?
That's the question. My answer? Murder is a no-no, self-defense/capital punishment are okay. But not everyone will agree with that. However, I believe the Bible gives enough examples of justice being served to warrant capital punishment as being fine.
Originally posted by FeceMan
Is it murder, self-defense, capital punishment?
That's the question. My answer? Murder is a no-no, self-defense/capital punishment are okay. But not everyone will agree with that. However, I believe the Bible gives enough examples of justice being served to warrant capital punishment as being fine.
How so?just answering your question on how to interpreter "thou shall not kill".
Taking the lives of what? Plants? Animals? Mammals but not reptiles? Animals but not microorganisms? Clean things? Unclean things? Black people, white people, mentally retarded people?
I think the Bible mean "Do not commit murder"...not taking lives of the innocent, but then again in the OT...innocent lives were taken by gods instructions.....Then again...what is considered "Innocent"...But to me I think that's obvious...
I think the Bible meant intentional premeditated murder. But if god knows all, then god did that also...
Originally posted by finti
just answering your question on how to interpreter "thou shall not kill".
And that should include whatever you hold sacred, what is life to you.............but the commandment in question involve humans, I thought that was pretty obvious though,..... but then again maybe not to all
Why do you think there was the constant debate about keeping the Sabbath holy in the New Testament? It's because of the interpretations of the rabbis and their individual teachings.
Also the Essenes didn't believe in killing anything, including plants...They were vegetarians...they were very careful what they ate, and how they cooked it....For instance, using the sun to cook grained breads...calling it the angels of the air. Never overcooking anything that would destroy the nutrients....Kinda cool they new that high temps. destroy nutrients though...They claim that Jesus, Mary, John the Baptist and others of their disciples were also Essenes.
The commandment tells humans not to kill...but not to kill what? That's the question. Kill other humans? But what about X reason in Y scenario? Kill animals?commandments regards humans
Why do you think there was the constant debate about keeping the Sabbath holy in the New Testament? It's because of the interpretations of the rabbis and their individual teachings.as it is with all religion, personal interpretation often conflict with the "set" rules
Originally posted by FeceMan
Why do you think there was the constant debate about keeping the Sabbath holy in the New Testament? It's because of the interpretations of the rabbis and their individual teachings.
Pick me Pick me....I know the answer to that one....OH..oh..pick me....
It was never changed in scripture..there was never a commandment saying to do away with the 4th....Constantine change it.
True and true, but, though the commandments regard humans, 'thou shalt not kill' could be interpreted as "You, humans, shall not kill...what?".humans was set to rule over the animals by this god of yours so due to that it ought to be obvious that taking the lives of animals wouldnt be considered as killing
Originally posted by finti
humans was set to rule over the animals by this god of yours so due to that it ought to be obvious that taking the lives of animals wouldnt be considered as killing
Humans were not made to rule over the animals that share the Earth with us, according to Christianity. We were originally just like them. But then Adam and Eve listened to the snake and ate from the Tree of Knowledge which gave them the ability to think, "Why are we naked?"
The "Thou shalt not kill," in my own thoughts, means that we shall not kill any creature that can tell the difference between right and wrong. Since deer, frogs, lizards, bears, dogs, cats, etc. can't tell what's right or wrong unless we teach it to them, they are not affected by that specific commandment. Or maybe even all ten of them.
But, as I just realized, the only problem with what I just said is mentally-retarded people. They cannot tell the difference between right or wrong unless we teach it to them. So therefore, they are not affected by the Ten Commandments. But they are humans, aren't they? That is why this is one of those questions that cannot be answered by any but those that have the knowledge of God, which the only one of those is God himself.
Of course, I'm not really Christian, but I do love debating about topics that are unanswerable.
Originally posted by KingDubya
Humans were not made to rule over the animals that share the Earth with us, according to Christianity. We were originally just like them. But then Adam and Eve listened to the snake and ate from the Tree of Knowledge which gave them the ability to think, "Why are we naked?"
...
🙂 We are animals. I am not belittling us, I am raising all of God's creation up to the same level. We are not better, we are just as good.
Originally posted by Shakyamunison
🙂 We are animals. I am not belittling us, I am raising all of God's creation up to the same level. We are not better, we are just as good.
Which is why I question those signs that say, "No animals allowed." I think, "Doesn't that mean that no living creature is allowed in there, including humans?"