In the Bible God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. One of those Commandments was "Thou shalt not kill". Then in the Bible-immediatly after that- God orders Joshua to destroy a city. The order from God was to leave nothing alive but to kill every living thing. Even children and the animals as well!! What's wrong with this picture??
2007-06-10 16:46:31 · 29 answers · asked by Native Spirit 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To hebrews 1224--I agree with you! God commanded a lot of killing in His name in the Bible. That is the point of my question exactly! As for your bitter sarcasm and uncalled for comments in the latter portion of your answer, please understand that it is comments like these that give Christians a bad name. Chill out my friend!
2007-06-18 17:56:17 · update #1
You are right. There is something very wrong with this picture. While God does not encourage killing...societies do..when it is to their benefit. They kill in God's name and declare that God has ordained it. Even the ancients were guilty of this sin. For the rule of law back then was..."Kill, or be killed."
2007-06-18 17:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by Guy E 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In America the death sentence still exists (true that it is not in all states) if someone commits a crime that is deemed 'worthy' of the death sentence then that person dies. The law in America still states that people cannot just go around killing other people though. This analogy can be used for God also. The commandment that God gave was 'Thou shall commit no murder' so we are aloud to defend ourselves in lethal situations that can cause the death of someone else, just as we are able to defend ourselves in the same way and not be called murders by the law of the land (not just in America for this point) The city that Joshua destroyed had broken the laws of God and God wanted this city to be held responsible for their actions. Much the same as a serial killer living near 'you' should be brought to justice and not left to roam the streets. Any other 'contradictions'?
2007-06-10 23:59:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
You cannot put logic into religions based upon illogical premises.
For example how can you equate 'equality of all men' with the concept of a 'chosen people'?
How can you be 'saved' if people born before Christ had no redeemer? Grossly unjust!
No, a true religion has to be fair to all, followers or not.
Tolerance is just too condescending an attitude for my sensibilities.
By it's very contradictions the bible exposes the views of the multi-various people that contributed to it's compilation.....and it is obvious that they were not all of the same ilk.
2007-06-18 16:37:16 · answer #3 · answered by Cilly Buggah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically, if you would show me who exactly he commanded to be killed, which time? There were many times, even the killing of his own people. In fact God wiped out thousands of Israelites in one day. Moses had to plead with God not to wipe them all out at one time. He spared them, and right now you and I also. Be thankful not judgmental, He is God and if you choose to look into it carefully you would find He is just and righteous in all His ways.
But you've been around for what... 20, 30, maybe 60 years or so? I see how your knowledge and judgments would exceed his wisdom and judgements. I am suprised you havent' been offered a seat at His right hand yet. Why with your supreme understanding of what is right and what is wrong maybe we should be praying to you instead of God.
2007-06-18 19:59:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Needed to elaborate on the answer from 'mypublicident'
Jesus does not ask anyone to kill in the text he mentions. This is the closing statement of the parable of the talents. The king, in the story, makes the statement.
2007-06-18 17:12:16 · answer #5 · answered by starfishltd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The command to go into Jericho was an act of war. War is not murder and has never been the definition of murder. (unless you listen to the liberal press) The people of Israel were and invading army. The people of Jericho were idol worshiping, infant sacrificing, heathens. Those people, God knew would be the destruction of Israel. It is one of those questions, If you had known Hitler before he went into politics, knowing what you know now would you kill him? Well God knew what these people were like and what they would do. Because of Israel's disobedience of this command, the Israelis are still fighting to this day.
2007-06-11 00:06:14 · answer #6 · answered by Yo C 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is nothing wrong with this picture. The Ten Commandments are divided into two groups: those dealing with man's relationship to God and those dealing with man's realtionship to man.
While man may certianly not take it upon himself to kill another in the Old Testament God was directly dealing with man. If God issued a command it was to be followed. Simple.
~Neeva
BTW, mypublicident forgot to mention that Jesus was reciting a parable in the verse mentioned. He was not asking people to kill anyone. I realize this was simply an oversight though.
2007-06-10 23:52:08 · answer #7 · answered by Neeva C 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The original language would be properly translated "Thou shalt not murder." these days.
Murder includes a personal context, and premeditation.
Judgment from God being carried out by another does not technically fulfill the definition the God has, though it appears to fulfill the human definition.
God's sandbox: God's rules.
2007-06-10 23:58:52 · answer #8 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
God's order to kill was part of a cleansing, as such in Sodom and Gamora. Impure cities of evil and sin. God ordered that destroyed too. And so it was done.
2007-06-18 17:25:16 · answer #9 · answered by Rev. Matthew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The commandment was given to the Israelites in their treatment of other Israelites.
We have a law in America against murder.
Do you know anyone so stupid as to think this applies towards soldiers in times of war, as some of the other respondents are suggesting?
It just proves their irrational hostility against God and His word.
2007-06-10 23:54:51 · answer #10 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋