Murder

I do not think it will take me long to convince you that committing murder is not something that anyone should do, but I hope to raise a few questions for you to think about concerning death and life as they relate to murder.

Matthew 5:21-22 teach us that not only is it wrong to commit murder, but it is also wrong to murder our relationships.  In other words, we can be as destructive with the things that we say as we can when literally taking someone's life.  Has anyone ever said something to you that made you feel as if they were stabbing you with a knife.  Probably so, and if you haven't, then you will.  I want to encourage you to be peaceful in your words and kind in your speech.

Two big questions that are frequently asked in relation to murder are: 1. Is it wrong to give someone the death penalty, and 2. What do we do about war?

First, when someone takes a life, they should be tried and convicted.  Scripture has given the government power to determine if someone should die for their crimes, but how often has the government falsely convicted the wrong person?   Second, while sometimes it is necessary to go to war and take a life, it is also important to make sure everyone involved in the war (especially those on the side concerned with moral uprightness) acts in a morally acceptable way.  There should not be any unjust torturing of prisoners, etc.

One helpful link concerning just war is: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/pol116/justwar.htm, another good list of resources is http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/bibs/justwar.htm.