Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Joan of Bark · 11-16-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storytime

As all the commandments were given to Israel alone, and not to any other peoples, I would conclude "thou shalt not kill" to have its meaning in Israelites not killing one another, because God commanded the Israelites to kill and destroy all the non Israelite people living in the land of Canaan in order to possess their land. Even if other people were at peace, God commanded the Israelites to vex them in order to stir up trouble and then blame them for defending themselves against the Israelites.

Agreed. In the same way, Jesus was only preaching to fellow Jews. These were never meant as universal 'rules'.

J-D · 11-16-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storytime

As all the commandments were given to Israel alone, and not to any other peoples, I would conclude "thou shalt not kill" to have its meaning in Israelites not killing one another, because God commanded the Israelites to kill and destroy all the non Israelite people living in the land of Canaan in order to possess their land. Even if other people were at peace, God commanded the Israelites to vex them in order to stir up trouble and then blame them for defending themselves against the Israelites. Sounds alot like the strategy of Dubya in his constructing his war on Iraq, just vex them until they are at least returning insults and then go in for the kill. And God commanded Dubya just as he did Moses and each say themselves justified.

New South Wales law forbids people to commit murder in New South Wales. The definition of murder in New South Wales law is not limited to the killing of New South Welshpeople. If I murder a Victorian visitor, I am still culpable under New South Wales law. On the other hand, many killings are not considered to be murder under New South Wales law. I expect that killing enemy soldiers in a war, for example, would not be considered murder. So I expect that the definition of 'murder' in the Biblical commandment would exclude killings as part of war, but I wouldn't conclude without more evidence that it only includes killings of Israelites.

Sheshbazzar · 11-16-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheshbazzar

Given that Torah gives express commandments that "Thou SHALT kill" your fellow man under certain circumstances.
(see for example Ex. 22:18, 22:19, 22:20, Lev. 20:11, 20:13, 20:16, Deut. 13:8-10, 13:15, and 17:6-13)

These rulings were to apply explicitly to and among the Israelites,
Thus the "Thou shall not kill" commandment cannot properly be interpreted as a blanket restriction applying only to killing Israelites, that they were thereby forbidden to kill fellow Israelites under all circumstances, these being subject to such above commands that they should "kill" those among their own countrymen being found guilty of violating these Laws.

vijeno · 11-17-2008, 03:10 AM

Considering the use of the word in other texts of the bible, it's more like "don't murder anyone of your own people". I shall look up the sources when I'm at home again.

The Dagda · 11-17-2008, 03:24 AM

It's murder so feel free to kill anyone as long as you don't get caught.

You can indulge your mindless aggression in war too and that's fine.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-17-2008, 03:10 AM	#14
vijeno Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: vienna Posts: 74	Considering the use of the word in other texts of the bible, it's more like "don't murder anyone of your own people". I shall look up the sources when I'm at home again.

11-17-2008, 03:24 AM	#15
The Dagda Banned Join Date: May 2008 Location: England, Portsmouth Posts: 5,108	It's murder so feel free to kill anyone as long as you don't get caught. You can indulge your mindless aggression in war too and that's fine.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.