Is killing alright if God does it?

Question

God turned someone into a pillar of salt and killed all these people when Moses came down from the mountain. If he does murder, why is it a sin if we do? I mean, does that make him not all-good?

Answer 1

To answer this question, we'll have to look at the defination of right and wrong. Who sets the standards? Who is wise and fair enough to set the standards? Only God who created the world can say what right or wrong. The bible says that god said,"Revenge is mine." Meaning that if someone wronged us, we should not take things into our own hands. God will punish accordingly although sometimes we can't see it. It's beyond our understanding. However you said that If god can kill, so can we. But you should look at the judges. They have the right to sentence people to death. Does that make them evil? We should not try to do do everything that God does. Afterall, we are only human.

Answer 2

More people have died in the name of God than for any other reason since the book was written. Depending on which invisible man you knee to killing and murder is negotiable just take a look at the World Trade Center (9/11) and always remember where people stand and how the book was really perceived by them.

If dogs are not allowed in heaven when I die I want to go where they went.

Answer 3

When God chooses to kill a person, in all cases its been because the person either broke God's Covenant or broke one of His commandments or has hurt His people in some way.

When people murder its usually due to greed, jealousy and other emotions, not because someone broke one of our rules.

Now when an event happens and a person kills another by self defense, this would not be preconcieved murder but a defensive action, thus allowed. Torah is clear on what is murder and what is self defense.

Answer 4

How can you try to compare us to God what is wrong with you.if you see the reason why he killed those people you would know why.they were wicked people even when moses showed them the ten commandments right after they were made they just laughed and still did what they were not supposed to do.and even after that people that did get out still later down the line sill had evil in them,that where these wicked people now came from,but this time God is going to make sure that no evil survives this time.people think it is funny now but just wait.until the day when they aren't going to have time to even fart.

Answer 5

If you really want to understand you need to realize where you went wrong in your thinking. You use the words "killing" and "murder" interchangeably when in fact they are not one and the same.

Murder is only a type of killing. When the state puts a criminal to death it is not murder but justice. If a man kills in self defense or if a cop kills to protect someones life, including your own, he's not committing murder either. Again, murder is only one type of killing. You can even kill someone accidentally and that's not murder either. To murder is to take someones life without justification for it.

You're correct when you say God kills, but He is our creator, ruler, and judge. He has the right to punish us as He sees fit. He told Adam and Eve that if they sinned they would die. As God He makes the rules it is our duty to obey Him. I hope this has helped you.

Answer 6

You have a good point. You are absolutely right, but that doesn't justify murder. Not even God has the right to brutally take away life. Life is a precious thing, and should be cherished, not yanked away by the hands of anyone- mortal or immortal.

Answer 7

God does not kill, those stories are in the Bible and happened a long time ago to make a point that He is there. God does not kill people these days. But don't ask these questions here, make up ur own mind and read how it all happened in the NIV Bible. =)

Answer 8

God knows when people should die and we don't. If you want to put it that way he takes peoples lives all the time. He will one day take me, and it will just be my time. God cannot commit murder. He gives life and he takes it when He wants to. We need to be ready.
You mentioned Lot's wife, God specifically told her not to look back, she specifically looked back. That is the problem with disobedience it carrys consequences. We need to realise that we are not in charge and have to give account to a GOOD GOD and when we do that all is well.

Answer 9

From a Biblical standpoint and not necessarily my own point of view, killing is allowed if done by or directed to be done by God. God not only kills people Himself in the Bible, he directs His chosen people Israel to kill also. He assisted David in killing Goliath, and he ordered Joshua to kill. So from a literal interpretation of the Bible killing is allowed if done by or directed by God.

As for the next part of your question, which I am sure will anger many, the traditional answer is not to question God. That answer is a way to avoid saying "I don't know". Again from a Biblical stand point - a literal interpretation - God only kills those who are immoral or who break his laws. That - in the eyes of most scholars - justifies the killing. The people Joshua was ordered to kill were said to be immoral and idol worshipers. Goliath was defiant of God's people, and so on and so forth. So from a Biblical standpoint God only kills or orders to be killed those who are infidels. Sound familiar?

Answer 10

You'd have to actually believe in the Bible for that to even begin to make any sense. And I don't.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the Bible as a text held sacred by millions that's had great effect, both positive and negative, on the human race. But I certainly don't look to it for literal historical truths... or lessons in ethics. ;)