hey my cusin just went to afganistan and he will prb be killing people and i was wondering if 2 God there is a difference in this kind of murder and killing someone like ur neighbor 4 instance i'd appreciate some feedback on this topic thx my name is dusten u can use that.

Post edited by: armyofthelord7, at: 2007/02/05 20:47

Well, God has helped out in historical wars, so I don't think it's quite the same. I think all of the blood will be transfered to the politicians hands.

Firstly, the Ten Commandments say "Thou shalt not murder" not "Thou shalt not kill." While this may seem to be a small difference, it really isn't. The difference between murder and killing is the intention. One doesn't murder the enemy in a war. They kill them. Also I'm sure someone will mention in Ecclesiastes where it says that there is a time for everything, and a season for everything under the sun and then goes on to say that there is "a time for war, and a time for peace."

Hmm.. the Hebrew is Ratsach. There is some room for debate on whether it was closer to "homicide" or "murder." Applicable chapters could include Num 35, Deu 19, Josh 20 & 21. Numbers 35 gives us some clues, telling us that even a person who unintentionally killed a person could legitimately be killed by the bloodavenger if they did not go to and stay inside one of the cities of refuge (until the High Priest died). Personally, I think that puts it closer to homicide. But it is a man's duty to protect his family, so even if one argued against self-defense killing, if his family's life is in danger, I would say it is not only permissible, but one's duty to take their family out of harm's way using the least force possible (which sometimes is still homicide).