Christians; How does the Golden Rule conflict with Wars and Capital Punishment?

Question

Do you still believe in "An Eye by an Eye.."?

When did you run out of other cheeks?

OH DuckDad, you're judging me! The Gates of Hell await you!!

Answer 1

It is true that there are many Bible passages (especially in the OT) that support capital punishment, often for relatively mild offenses:

- Adultery (Leviticus 20:10)
- Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16)
- Breaking the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14 & 15)
- Disobedient children (Exodus 21:15 & 17; Leviticus 20:9)
- Homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13)
- Not being a virgin on your wedding night (but only if you're a woman - Deuteronomy 22:13-22)

But, even in addition to the ones you mention, there are many passages (esp. in the New Testament) that are ANTI-death penalty. For example, Matthew 5:38-39 insists that violence shall not beget violence. James 4:12 says that God is the only one who can take a life in the name of justice. Leviticus 19:18 warns against vengeance (which, really, is what the death penalty amounts to). In John 8:7, Jesus himself says, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

There are many, many practical problems with capital punishment (that I won't get into here), but purely from a moral standpoint, I can't imagine that Jesus would support it. True Christians shouldn't, either.

Answer 2

Different kinds of Christians out there, to be sure. Careful with your stereotypes. I, for one, completely and adamantly disagree with war and capital punishment. It is contradictory to the Gospel. What you are experiencing is human motives driving religious interpretation. In other words, some people are depraved and support violence. They, in turn, project this onto their interpretation of their religion. Religion does not kill people. People kill people. That said, many Christians do NOT believe this. To suggest this is a part of the Christian faith is no different than people claiming that atheists support fascism and genocide just because Stalin was an atheist. That approach to atheism is a fallacy, of course. War and capital punishment are matters of politics and power, not religion. Idealistic concepts, such as religious doctrine, are often used as the excuse for the abuse of power and the spread of a political agenda. But this is not the fault of religion. Some people are selfish and evil. If religion did not exist, they would simply use some other idealistic doctrine to support their bids for power and greed.

Answer 3

Do you have more than two cheeks on your face? The golden rule: "treat others as you would be teated". If I was a severely harming others and the evidence showed I could not be rehabilitated, I'd rather be dead. I simply assume others are as reasonable.

But I'm no Christian, just trying to see if I can think the way they might.

Answer 4

We don't get to decide whether or not we go to war or execute a criminal. The people in authority do, who may or may not be Christian.

" Eye for an eye" was in the Old Testament and under the old law, which Jesus replaced.

He also said treat your neighbor as yourself, I don't think some crazy terrorist qualifies as a neighbor.

Just my opinion, I'm not speaking for others.

You must be miserable, sitting around all day lashing out against Christians & calling yourself by the name of some pitiful psycho serial killer. I hope someday you find something that makes you feel you don't have to do that anymore.

Answer 5

human beings are fallible and all human establishments are sure to pass incorrect a number of the time. The capital punishment gadget isn't any exception and it buries its worst blunders. Given the various faults of capital punishment and the existence of more suitable prudent options, how can everybody help it: It’s no longer an useful deterrent. homicide expenses are higher in states with capital punishment than in those with out it. Capital punishment easily expenses a lot, a lot more suitable than existence in reformatory (with or with out parole.) existence with out parole is on the books in very nearly each and every state. It skill what it says. households of homicide victims have testified to the drawn out and unavoidable damage that the capital punishment procedure does to households like theirs and that existence with out parole is a suitable option. maximum important: there is little question that folk were sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit. It comes right down to even if to help capital punishment for the sake of revenge or retribution.

Answer 6

Ask yourself What is the Golden Rule ?? The bible says the great commandement is to Love God with all your heart soul , mind and body, and the second is likened unto it to love thy neighbor as thyself.............( Jesus said YOU say Eye for an eye...but He said Vengence is mine I shall repay sayeth the Lord ) and if he strikes a cheek turn him the other.......And fear the lord rather then man......cause after man kills the body he can do no more....but rather fear ye him who is able to kill both body and soul and cast it into Hell !!!!............Golden rule is All of Gods word.....not just a few that pleases you !!!! In the beginning was the Word the word was with God and the word was God.........and nothing was made without Him.......and for His pleasure were we ALL Made !!!!

Answer 7

I run out of other cheeks when Serial Killers like you start ruining our country with your immorality and your murdering innocent people.

Answer 8

If i murdered lots of people, i would rather be killed then sitting in jail forever.

And wars are a necessary evil sometimes.

Answer 9

the golden rule is pre-school, in adult life you find out that you have to knock a few people out to get your point across.

Answer 10

it doesn't i also have a interpretation of better one man fall than a nation dwindle