Is Genocide always bad?

Question

Every decent human being agrees the Nazis holocaust of the Jews was supremely evil - but what of the Jewish genocide of teh people of Amalek ? why is that celebarated in the Bible and in Judaism?

Why is genocide sometimes accaptable?!?

Answer 1

Because the Old Testament was written by Jews. But there's no way of telling whether that stuff even happened.

Answer 2

You obviously never read the Tanakh( Old Testament) or else you would have known why the Israelites and Amalek were always at war with each other. And if you read the Gemara you will really understand it even more.

But I don't blame you for your ignorance, since I had the same opinion until I actually read the book! And Amalek wasn't wiped out, they ended up assimilating with larger groups.

Answer 3

Yes all genocide is bad. And i have no problem with jews, but judaism itself is evil just like christianity and islam. These three religions all promote bigots, hate, and lies, and all have lead to some sort of genocide similar to what the Nazi's did. They are mostly just dormant at the moment.

Answer 4

God did not want His people to become intermingled with the pagan beliefs and gods of the Canaanites. God knew that if this happened that the Isrealites would become corrupt, turn from Him, and begin worshiping the pagan idols. He also knew that if the pagan people weren't removed that they would eventually rise up and destroy Isreal. Because the Isrealites did not follow through on God's orders, they were constantly put into slavery by these pagan people (as told in the book of Judges), and were eventually nearly wiped out themselves by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar.

Answer 5

Why are you so obsessed with Jews? You have posted about four questions in ten minutes! There have, sadly, been several genocides in recent history, yet you are so desperate to write negative things about Jews that you had to reach back into the past to come up with that! You are clearly fixated on us. Oy vey!

Answer 6

It would depend on your definition of "genocide," which is a little fuzzy. It is my understanding that the Amalek's attacked Israel first adn were continual enemies of Israel:

A kinsman of the Israelites, Amalek nevertheless displayed the most intense hatred toward them: he inherited Esau's hostility to his brother Jacob. When other nations hesitated to harm God's chosen ones, his evil example induced them to join him in the fray. "Like a robber he waylaid Israel"; "like a swarm of locusts"; "like a leech eager for blood"; "like a fly looking for sores to feed on"; Amalek ('am laḳ = the people which licketh) hurried over hundreds of miles to intercept Israel's march:(Tan. Ki Teẓe, ix., and Pesiḳ. iii. 26b)

In such a case, their destruction might simply be seen as a part of war. When I think of "genocide" I think of extermination on religious or ethnic grounds, particularly against civilians. If Amalek positioned itself as a true enemy of Israel and repeatedly attacked it, I can't really call their destruction genocide.

Answer 7

People in the Bible did things that God didn't always punish people for. But it doesn't mean he thought it was okay. Going around killing people is bad. Executing a person is justifable/certifable in the Bible(eye for an eye).

Answer 8

and the death of the jews was celebrated by nazis. (not to compare jews to nazis but....) Genocide is bad.

Answer 9

No . It is not always bad. If it is done by " modrn civilized world" and dead are from "primitive world" then it is not bad.

Answer 10

Yeah, it is always bad. I don't follow the OT, so that doesn't affect my decision.