How can anyone murder someone else, and yet call themselves a human being?

Question

No pros or cons on capital punishment (revenge) please.

Answer 1

Well, you can always "justify" such brutality by declaring that the heinous act was commited
1.to "save" his/her nation ("patriotism"),
2. to "save" his/her religion ("religious duty") or
3. were simply carrying out an execution otherwise known as Death Penalty (" legally executed punismment").
Did the politicians who ordered and the pilots ( both categories as true Christians who followed Christ who insisted that we love our neighbours however different they may be from us ) who dropped bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki live to regret and suffer pangs of remorse and guilt ? I wonder...
When will we ever recognise the fact that whatever be the name and mask with which one tries to hide, it is simply nothing but murder...

Answer 2

I am sorry to say that it is the nature of us humans to kill or murder. However, taking of any life regardless of the reason, is deeply offensive and creates a cause which will last for many lifetimes. You will receive the effect no matter what you do, wherever you hide. You will not escape the effects. It is the nature of this Universe. So if we were to have the correct perspective we must first recognize our own innate darkness, the destructive nature, and then stop the cycle of revenge. For NOT regarding someone a human being only leads to our justification of killing that person. Then how can we call ourselves a benign human being when we do the same.
The cause one makes when they murder someone is a grave offense, one that cannot be easily eradicated. I often hear about the murder of innocent people, these days there are so many, and often wonder how can that person kill people for no reason? I realized that such a darkness resides in each and every person, including myself. I have people who care, friends, family, religious organizations, that teach about compassion and loving one another. I have been taught to fight against this darkness. In turn I have to tell others how to overcome their darkness.
That guard who shot and killed the shooter in Colorado, I am sure is reflecting on her actions. She is honored as a hero for saving other lives but at what cost? That shooter claimed one more victim that day, that guard who was forced to shoot and kill that person.
Would I feel the same if someone I care for and love was killed? That would be so hard, and the desire for revenge will be really heavy. But that desire for revenge comes from the same fundamental darkness that prompted the person to kill.
A single Buddhist perspective

Thank you for this deeply philosophical question.


EDIT: There are those who obviously disagree with me. Like I stated, this is just my perspective. There is NO such thing as a JUST killing. YOU have to wake up to the your own innate darkness, otherwise you will keep making the same mistake over and over.

Answer 3

I don't know how they can, not unless they felt they had a right to do that, such as murdering another murderer or killing in self defense. in the case of war is never about self defense in most cases (except for the recipient of the aggression) I guess you have to look down on another or have a some kind of ingrained idea of God ordained murder like you read in bible history.

in other cases I just think some people sear their consciousness (via propaganda or self justification or whatever) so they don't feel pangs of distress when they rob someone else of their life liberty or property.

RRRR

Answer 4

Even Ted Bundy was a human so that part of your question doesn't really apply Pol Pot was also a human and murdered millions.
People kill for a lot of different reasons.
Some to defend home and hearth and some just because they want to.

Answer 5

Murder is the taking of innocent life according to the bible. Killing for war or punishment is not murder by definition.

Answer 6

Not to bring religion into this, but we must acknowledge the influence of religion on our society and thinking. One of the ten commandments says "Thou shalt not kill." If accurately translated it actually says"Thou shalt not murder".
There is a difference. Murder is killing unjustly.
If a killing is JUST, it is NOT murder.
Your question does not include specifics adequate to distinguish between those differences. Please apply my statement in a manner appropriate to your intended need for an answer.

Answer 7

i circulate to respond to your question of how: by using fact no longer all religions have faith that a fetus has a soul whilst it somewhat is conceived. like the Jewish regulations approximately quickening, or the cleft being the kiss of an angel granting your soul whilst your born. i'm no longer making this argument, you basically asked HOW and that i think of it somewhat is only no longer as sparkling decrease argument because it somewhat is for some christians.

Answer 8

Who are you referring to?

Answer 9

It's called being a good liberal. Good liberals never believe a murderer should be held responsible for their acts.

Answer 10

It's called being a soldier.