How are murder and rape part of 'tough love'?

Question

OT stories about Abraham & other founding fathers tell of them being commanded by God to take over a land and then the commander informs the soldiers to take the virgins as war prizes. Questions dealing with that often get answers about going to some website called 'toughlove.org'

To Williamzo-went & glanced at it
AC (& everyone)-it's 'toughlove.com' not org.
songoftheforest-I've read parts of the bible...usually, I read something negative about the 'Good Book' & check it out for myself-which includes the before & after so I can be sure that what I've seen is not 'taking it out of context', your implication that killing anyone to take over a land is not an act of murder, commanded by a 'loving' deity, is 'taking it out of context'
and the forcing of females to 'marry' the victors was not an order from God, but in no way does he punish this crime
I agree with Dustin Lockhart-it is much more humane and non-prejudiced to get rid of everything-men, women, children, every living 'beast'
to kanthea-I understand the concept of 'tough love' in raising a child perfectly....I also understand everyone has a different interpretation of how much is too much...but I don't think many of the OT stories involving killing for land ownership are acceptable to anyone

To Williamzo-went & glanced at it
AC (& everyone)-it's 'toughlove.com' not org.
songoftheforest-I've read parts of the bible...usually, I read something negative about the 'Good Book' & check it out for myself-which includes the before & after so I can be sure that what I've seen is not 'taking it out of context', your implication that killing anyone to take over a land is not an act of murder, commanded by a 'loving' deity, is 'taking it out of context'
and the forcing of females to 'marry' the victors was not an order from God, but in no way does he punish this crime
I agree with Dustin Lockhart-it is much more humane and non-prejudiced to get rid of everything-men, women, children, every living 'beast'
to kanthea-I understand the concept of 'tough love' in raising a child perfectly....I also understand everyone has a different interpretation of how much is too much...but I don't think many of the OT stories involving killing for land ownership are acceptable to anyone

Answer 1

I think Ally has an excellent point.

The way Christians make excuses for the evil, vengeful, and horrifying things the old testament god did is EXACTLY like the excuses women give for remaining in an abusive relationship. Sometimes word for word.

I really enjoy hearing it, though. It adds an element of twisted humor to my day.

Taking the young women as "wives" is better or more morally correct as the term "sex slave?"
God didn't tell them to do that EVERY time... that one is really funny. Once is enough to know that it's ok. The other option... killing every living thing men, women, children, yeah, even the beast of the field was soooooo much more ethical and moral.

There is nothing godly about war. There is nothing holy about the results of war. There is nothing godly about taking women as possessions... even if you marry them.

Answer 2

I think a number of confusions lead to this question.
First, not all that is recorded in the Bible was God's will--part of the problem He had with the Hebrews was their tendency to do what they liked and rationalize afterward. Perhaps a partial explanation for the virgin issue is that, usually they were young and malleable--taking them into one's family virtually guaranteed that they would 'grow up' to become Jews--which the Jews considered to be a good thing. This doesn't necessarily constitute rape, you know--the method allowed the continuance of the defeated people without the disruption from surviving males--which would be bound to have been considerablel
Where Tough Love comes into this, I'm unsure. Clearly you do not entirely comprehend the concept, which basically says that sometimes you need to do things that as a parent you would rather not--like letting your kid take the fall for felonious activity, for instance--in order for your child to learn the nature of the consequences of his actions. Bailing people out of the negative results of their actions, and thus essentially relieving them of accountability for their bad choices, only teaches them they don't have to be responsible for what they do. This is a very bad thing to teach anyone, and no way in hell for them to grow up.
God is very big on growing up, and not just doing it, but doing it right.
I am equally appalled at some of the stories and behaviors in the OT, but one must remember that 1) it was a different and much more brutal age and 2) that Christ's message had not yet been delivered. And it is upon that message that most of the social beliefs and standards of the Western World are based.

Answer 3

Murder and rape are criminal acts. Killing in war is bad but not the same thing. Its all hard to understand. If there were no need for war, this world would be a little easier. Murder/rape part of any kind of love????, I don't think so.

Answer 4

Not in all cases did the command go out to take virgins as war prizes. The man, if he spotted someone he'd like could take her and she had to shave her head and live with his family and mourn for her family for a month. She became part of his family and he married her.

Answer 5

I think it's all a justification thing. They don't want to admit that their ancestors/the founders of the religion royally screwed up, so they make excuses. It's just like a woman who "loves" her abusive husband. She's too dependent on him as a source of her identity, no matter how twisted that may seem, to get out of a bad deal.

Answer 6

That is not tough love, nor is it condoned by God. God may have told them to take over the land, but never did He condone the taking over of virgins.

Read your Bible.

Answer 7

I can tell you haven't studied the old testament. When we take the bible by select verses it will get confusing. Only by close study can we truly understand God's word.

Answer 8

Maybe you should go to the site and find out before posting a silly question like this.

Answer 9

I think sometimes people us God as an excuse for their actions

Answer 10

I tried to check out that website and there is no such thing. I think you're confused.