God commands it in Deuteronomy 13:7-11. There's nothing at all symbolic in the language, either. God says: "you must kill him, your hand must strike the first blow." And, in case that isn't explicit enough, in Deu 13:1, God says "Whatever I am now commanding you, you must keep and observe, adding nothing to it, taking nothing away."
If you can argue with such an unequivocal command, you can argue with any "Thou Shalt nots ..." of the Ten Commandments.
2007-02-02 17:50:28 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Robert D: NO, you could not be a Christian if you DIDN'T. That's precisely the point!
2007-02-02 17:56:06 · update #1
But God specific says that his word here is immutable.
2007-02-02 18:20:07 · update #2
And people try to bash Islam for that, I've read many Verses in the OT clearly commanding to kill those who worship other gods.
Sadly, people see the OT as obselete.
2007-02-02 18:02:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, no matter what the scriptures say it's not ethical to kill because they switched religions. Context of the bible is so literally outdated that you need to think in modern terms to make it function. You'll become of the out of control extremists if you follow letter for letter disregaurding what times you live in. These were written when they had no other choices, now we do and it's also our personal choice to find a religion that works for us. Does God not say that he is the only God that should be worshiped? So as long as you worship God, the common God, father of Jesus Christ, I don't see anything wrong with finding a religion that suites you.
After thought: One of the ten commandments is "Thou shalt not kill" is it not? That would be disobeying the ten commandments.
2007-02-03 01:59:33 · answer #2 · answered by ~Les~ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to read it all and you would find that Father God was building the nation of Israel. He had proven to them that He was the only True God. He had given them everything needed to survive. At this time He was giving them laws and government. All countries depend on government to survive. Laws are a necessary part of that survival. Because Father God knows everyones heart and mind, He did make those laws to secure the survival of Israel. If He had not done so then, I believe that humankind would had eradicated itself from the planet. Consider that the fear of punishment is more of a deterent to crime than goodness of heart. Father God has always known man better than we know ourselves. And He is always honest about it.
2007-02-03 02:06:17 · answer #3 · answered by martha d 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You use the word "symbolic" that in itself should help you understand that the bible is only a road map and an introduction manual. We are to take the word as if it were a light in the darkness to help us find our way, not as an absolute. The bible was written by man inspired by GOD. We are not to directly interpret it as it as written but understand what is right. You can be a fundamentalist and follow the word but will find yourself alone. Your number one goal should be a witness not an executioner. Forgive and witness beyond anything.
2007-02-03 02:08:17 · answer #4 · answered by Mister H 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
He was speaking to the Israelites of the danger of following false prophets and following false leaders back into Egypt and their Gods. Have to ask an Orthodox Jew about that I guess. See how they feel about going into captivity again. We turn traitors in our country in also do we not, and Israel still executes them. Please use the whole story and not just one part you can twist to suit your needs
2007-02-03 02:19:07 · answer #5 · answered by mark g 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
that's the old testament..
when Jesus came He created a new covenent.
He said that if we even hate our brother it is as though you're killing him.
He says to love your neighbor as yourself.
I would not kill my brother for changing religions.
I don't think I would kill ANYone.
2007-02-03 02:04:15 · answer #6 · answered by SJ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If everyone did that, there'd be only one person left in the world
2007-02-03 02:10:22 · answer #7 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
typical loving Christians
2007-02-03 01:58:14 · answer #8 · answered by Pauline 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We are under the grace of Jesus ,we are no longer under the Law.Jesus is love and forgiveness.Man can not even began to comprehend the love of Jesus.<><
2007-02-03 01:57:04 · answer #9 · answered by funnana 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
We don't live under the law, but under grace
What the law could not do, God sent his own Son to die for.
2007-02-03 02:01:51 · answer #10 · answered by Gifted 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋