I have a question if Christians think this is okay or not?

Question

If a person had to kill a person in self defense would you consider this murder and a sin, or saving a life.

Answer 1

I would call it self defence.
but then I'm not perfect.
I would also kill to protect someone else.

Answer 2

The Bible laws recognize the difference between murder and the accidental or necessary taking of a life. For instance, if two men are fighting and one falls and hits his head and dies, the other is fined but not considered a murderer. He did not intend to kill the person.

The Law also allowed for "Cities of Refuge" These were five cities in Israel where, is you killed a person in self-defense or by accident, you could flee into any of the cities. As long as you reminded within the city the relatives of that person were forbidden to take revenge on you (or your family). This gave the person time to gather witnesses and appear before a judge to show that the killing was not a murder.

It is from these Bible laws that the USA gets its laws for the difference between first-degree murder, second-degree murder, man-slaughter, self-defense, etc.

So the answer to your question is "no". Unfortunately there are circumstances in which killing another person may be the only choice available. It is not a sin.

Answer 3

As far as, law of the land, it would be in self defense, so No it would not be a murder.

From a religious standpoint (Biblicly):

I'm in no way a Biblical scholar, nor do I have a PhD in Theology, but years ago, as a child I asked my father a very similar question.

"In times of war, people are required to take the lives of their enemy, in order to defend their Country. Is it considered murder if a soldier kills someone in an act of war?"

I was disturbed that my older half-brother had killed quite a few people during his 4 tours during the Vietnam war and this is what sparked my question.

My father opened up a Bible and read me several passages that very plainly describe just this type situation and it did say that it was not considered a sin. It even mentioned the term war. I can't remember where exactly it was, but it was mentioned multiple places and it was very simply stated, without any confusion as to what it was saying.

My father said, he had the same question, after returning from World War II.

Hope that my insight helped with whatever dilemma your dealing with.

Answer 4

We have a right to protect our own lives as well as the lives of innocent others. Killing another person in self defense or defense of family is not a sin, provided that other means, such as escape from the person or non-lethal force, were not possible. If it was possible to safely escape from the situation but we stayed and shot the person instead, that would certainly be a sin, and probably a crime as well.

Answer 5

I dont think that could really be answered unless it was something that I had experienced. Right now, I think that self defense is saving your own life, but at the same time I dont feel it to be necessarily right to kill someone, but if your own life is at risk, then the law says that it is ok (with legalities, of course.) As to the way I would feel about it afterward? I dont know really. I would imagine that I would need to speak with a priest or someone regarding it being a sin. But I do believe that confession does cleanse us and offers forgiveness.

Answer 6

Most Christians will tell you that we are always to "turn the other cheek". This, however, would be taking the Bible out of context. When Jesus gave this command He was teaching the disciples about suffering persecution for their faith. God made man large for a reason -larger than women, for the most part. That reason was to protect his family and himself. As ugly as war is, sometimes war is a necessary evil, especially in this fallen, sinful world. Even Paul states that it is not without reason that the State bears the sword- the sword was the method of capital punishment for Roman citizens of that age. Evil must be fought on all fronts. That being said, it is also important to remember that not all men are called to war, some are called to be pacifists. The word used for "murder" in the 10 Commandments literally means cold blooded, premeditated murder, murder out of a rage or other motive. The Bible also gave case law as to what was to be considered murder, as opposed to manslaughter. Believe me when I say that the definition of manslaughter in the Bible is much different then what we have today. If you remember the story of the Philippian jailer who was saved- and remember, these individuals were armed and commanded to use lethal force when necessary- after the escape of Paul and Silas, the jailer wasn't told to lay down his weapons-Acts10:25-34. Also remember the Roman centurion who came to Jesus for healing for his servant. Jesus never condemned him for the use of lethal force against his enemies, as a centurion would've had to have done, but did as the centurion asked, according to his faith. The Old Testament is full of instances of situations where it was permissable to take a human life. Since Jesus Christ never abolished the Old Testament- "I have not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets"- then these legal precedents still stand. I also believe that if the taking of human life is done to save the life of another from someone evil with evil intentions- and who else would do such a thing- that it is completely justified according to the Bible. I believe, nay I know that God -who knows all our thoughts and hearts- would judge according to our motivation in such circumstances. Lets face facts, if Christians hadn't taken up arms in the 2nd World War we'd all be living under the oppression of the Nazis or the Japanese right now.

Answer 7

Self Defense = saving a life...If the death was avoidable = murder

Answer 8

well if you had to shoot a person in order to defend yourself, i would shoot him where it wouldn't become life-threatening (like the legs or arm). but if the person unfortunately dies, you didn't intend to kill him so i do not consider this murder, but self defense. and everyone else is right... if there was another way to defend yourself without killing the attacker then it might be considered murder, becuase u intended to kill him.

Answer 9

If it is a spur of the moment, completely unplanned situation it might not be a sin but even then, it should be a last resort. Calling on God's name and telling the person who was about to harm them that they would bring Jehovah's anger upon themselves if they were to hurt his servants has worked on many occasions and has resulted in no shed blood.

Answer 10

It would still be a sin. A confessable sin, but a sin all the same. It is really hard to read your passions, if you are defending yourself, even for a brief moment, did you in your heart want that person dead? And if they end up dead, how can you discern in your heart that you didn't mean for them to die? It is a confessable sin, and a penance given would probably focus on praying for the person you had accidently killed in defending yourself. And praying for your own soul.

Answer 11

if you look and the ten comandments it says "Thou Shalt Not Murder" if you kill someone in self defense it Cannot be considered that you Murdered them.