If murder was not a sin or a crime...?

Question

would people be nicer? Would they be more polite? Is there any religion that does not see murder as a "sin" in certain cases (such as killing someone who molested your child)?

Someone asked why it might make them nicer - because perhaps some people would make an attempt to be nicer/more polite just avoid getting killed :)

Answer 1

There was a theory I heard in an old Robert Heinlein novel I think it was - that the nicest societies are those in which everyone is armed. If you know that your rudeness could end your life, you are inclined to be much nicer in general - so the story went, and I often wonder about that.

Peace!

Answer 2

Most religions seem to see killing people for much less than molesting a child, as perfectly legitimate. That's if you interpret their holy writings the way they want you to. Murder would be a crime whether you had religion or not, and surely you don't need to ask if the world would be a better place if it were not.

Answer 3

Maybe you will not be here anymore asking that question.
To kill someone who molested your child may excuse you from sinning but not in the law of the society where there is limitation on how an act can or will apply. A pre-meditative revenge is a punishable murder even in the eyes of God.

Answer 4

It might make some people nicer but it would also take away the restraint other might have. I don't doubt that there are people out there whom the only reason they haven't killed someone is because they don't want to risk going to prison. Take that away and those people would have nothing to fear.

Answer 5

the ancient Celts would usually banish somebody from society for the most henious crimes. banishment was almost a death sentence because a person banished could not join another tribe. and would be seen simply as another animal by anyone else. surviving on your own was near impossible.

however if you killed somebody. the penalty was almost always death. the belief being that balance must be returned. and death can only be balanced by death.

it may be illegal to kill somebody. but i doubt that society would condemn you if you killed the person that molested your child. if nothing more everyone but the most extreme pacifist's would at least understand it.

Answer 6

"He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword"
"love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you" not an eye for an eye
-- Jesus Christ

I think buddhism or one of those 'honor above all' religions don't care about it. but getting revenge solves nothing. it makes you go down to the level of the one who committed the horrible act in the first place. it's a double loss.

and no, then people would be worse off! every time someone seriously ticks you off all you have to do is "say hello to your little friend". what kind of lifestyle is that?

Answer 7

..why would that make them nicer? And religion doesn't have anything to do with murder being a punishable cause..it's just in our nature to find killing/crime wrong.

Answer 8

I dont think there would be anymore murders it is just human nature to respect human life. There are allways mentaly ill people not in there right minds that will still kill. and as far as someone messing with my family wife and kids there is a possibilitie i would kill

Answer 9

People would probably murder more often when they got angry. No, that's not nice.

Personally, I'm not sure if such a religion exists. Go look it up.

Answer 10

How could it not be a sin or a crime? Why would anyone think it's okay to take a person permanently from their loved ones ... just because they weren't nice or polite?