Your opinion please: Is there a situation where murder or injury is acceptable?

Question

I was answering a question earlier and it made me want the opinion of others.
Is there a time when murder or severe injury is acceptable?
Some would say "Murder is Murder," but is it acceptable to kill or severely injure someone that is hurting you? or your loved one? Maybe your child?
A few examples:
A robber comes in and has a gun on your husband or hits him hard with an object...
Someone is raping your daughter...
Choking your son...
The list can go on....your loved one is defenseless, you have a chance to bring them down....do you? What if you hit them/shoot them and they die? Is it acceptable because you were in defense of your loved one?
What do you think?

-Miranda

In my opinion, defense of my loved one is a natural instinct. I would never kill anyone intentionally, but if I hit them, whether with a bullet or an object, in defense of myself or a loved one, and they die as a result, it is perfectly acceptable to me. It would be their fault for harming me/my loved one.
If I had any chance of saving myself or someone I care for, I would.
My question is to get the opinion of others because I know of people that would say "Violence should be avoided," "Killing, even in that situation is wrong," etc.
I just want everyone to voice their opinion. I want to see what the majority says.
Thank you for your opinions.
Miranda

Also, I mean "Murder" as "the killing of another." I know that there is a difference, but I was trying to limit my words.

I realize that many are answering in accordance with the law. My question was aimed at you. What is justifiable to you. It doesn't matter what the court would say. Wat is your opinion.
I have gotten some very good answers so far, thank you.

Answer 1

Miranda:
I was once in a situation where I shot someone in self defense. I did not kill him - only almost. He was saved by the nearby fire department. I was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder and spent a night in jail while detectives were sorting out the situation and found that indeed it was a self defense act. So I was let go.
While I felt like I had had no choice than either pull the trigger or get seriously hurt or killed myself, I went through agony while in jail and a lot of internal conflict for months thereafter. While in jail, I didn't know if he was dead and nobody would tell me. I found out in the morning that he was alive and reasonably stable in a hospital, and I was released with all charges dropped.
For months and years later, I had occasion to process what had happened and come to a first-hand personal conclusion that I'll share here with you:
1. Yes, I believe it is justified to defend yourself against someone who clearly is out to do you physical harm.
2. Yes, I also would stop anyone from doing harm to my child, mother, or even a stranger, using any force necessary.
3. I have taken great care to avoid any confrontations of this nature since then and have never been in another situation like it.
This includes making sure that my house is secure, that I invite only like-minded or friendly people into my presence, and that I stay away from people who do drugs, have an irate temper or are otherwise criminally inclined.

You cannot guarantee your safety or another's 100% no matter what you do, but simple precautions will go a long way.

If I was ever in another situation like this, I would definitely defend myself again, with any force necessary.

One of two people will die in a situation like this. I feel it justified that it would be the one who initiated the violence. On the other hand, I do my best and go out of my way to NOT invite violence.
Roselle

Answer 2

Acceptable by whom?
In our society the laws will punish you for hurting someone even if unintentional unless you can prove that it was self-defense.
some believe that at the end of your existence you will be judged for the wrongs that you commited. (can't escape that one)
Others believe that what you do will come back to you through some natural force.
And some just don't care.
Personally I feel that if one is not malicious and had the situation arise where one had to act. Such as bringing someone down who was intentionally causing harm to another person...then so be it.
If i came across a person whom is close to me or a stranger, it does not matter, who was being assaulted in some way then i would have to try and put an end to the attack by any means necessary.
How can one think of the consequences or of their own well being in that situation?
If you intentionally cause harm to a life then it is wrong by all standards.
If you hurt someone by trying to prevent another from a malicious act then the notion of right and wrong ceases to exist. it does not matter the outcome. If you go to jail, eternal damnation, or bad kharma. I would not be able to live with myself if I did not at least try.

Answer 3

I read your question, thought it over while brewing up a cup of tea and I still don't know. Does love justify murder? We are taking the life of someone who is trying to take the life of someone we love. Yet, this thug, no matter how terrible they may be has someone that loves them. Meaning, we have just become as bad as he or her.

Then again, if I came home to find some guy raping my girlfriend, he's done. There is no question I'd kill the bastard. Slowly. I'd want him to feel ten times more pain than he inflicted on the woman I love and I'd want him to stare into my eyes as he took his last breath. What does that make me? Crazy? maybe. Very much in love? yes. A murderer? yes. I've become what I am trying to stop.

Answer 4

Yes. In the situation where a loved one, especially a child, is being raped or choked to death, I think it's acceptable to take any means necessary to prevent that from happening. The aim shouldn't be to commit murder but if it happens accidentally then its their fault for being a rapist/attempted murderer. Why would you value their life above that of your child?

Answer 5

By definition, no.

But self-defense, or saving someone else, isn't murder; it's usually considered justifiable homicide.

('Homicide' is the generic word for killing a person.)

Personally? I haven't the guts.

Fortunately, I've never been in such a situation.

Answer 6

Defending oneself or defenseless others is a natural instinct...murder is the the unlawful killing of another human...so the law defines murder...society defines the law...so society defines murder...our society is totally screwed up...so our laws defining murder are screwed up...but I think juries would not consider your listed situations to be murder...at least I wouldn't

Answer 7

I have very loose morals when it comes to murder. Besides wanton destruction, I can justify it from basically anything, from saving a loved one to being paid enough to kill someone.

It probably helps that I'm also a misanthrope and a nihilist.

Answer 8

Of course in the situations that you mentioned, I would definitely kill or hurt for my loved ones. I think it is acceptable behavior even though legally we probably would be reprimanded just of a lesser sentence.

Answer 9

Yes. Self defense is always acceptable.

Answer 10

Of course...In self-defense...as long as it is proven that it was in self-defense, and often a matter of life or death for the one defending, it is often accepted in the court of law...