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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The primary problem with this question is that it attempts to create a moral equivalency between abortion, the death penalty / capital punishment, and war. There is absolutely nothing equivalent ab...
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Emo Tenorio
I humbly submit that we clear our minds of various ideological and theologized arguments and instead search God's written Word for clues on this particular matter before us. (Hosea 4:6) (Genesis 8:13-14) Twelve and a half months after the flood that wiped the Earth clean and also reshaped it, Noah and his family, eight in total, (remember eight is the number of new beginnings) exit the ark on to the dry land. (Genesis 8:20) Noah then built an altar to the Lord (within the sight or shadow of the ark) and God was pleased with the aroma of Noah's sacrifice. During this time of fellowship God has an executive staff meeting with Noah and his seven member family, once again the only humans on this new Earth. The bullet points of that meeting instruct the operating protocols (code of correct conduct) that are to be followed. What we'll investigate begins in chapter 9 verse four. (Genesis 9:4) Blood has life or put another way, the life is in the blood, therefore it's precious to God as we see in (Genesis 4:9): "Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground!" (Genesis 9:5) God lists three very specific examples stated explicitly or in detail so His creation will not become confused as to what He commands them now, as did the last bunch of swimmers! (Proverbs 18:13) Note; In Hebrew "kill" can be expressed with six different words, but murder with only one; now reconsider the following scripture from above: If a wild animal KILLS a person, it must die (in this case operating within its natural nature as an animal knows no better) but still must die. And anyone who MURDERS a fellow human must die. (in this case they're operating outside the designed natural nature and DO KNOW better). (Genesis 9:6) This bullet point simply stated is: only humans can murder and when they do, the currently quite unfashionable payment due as required by God, is their own life. (Genesis 9:9) This covenant predates or is before the ten commandments or (Exodus 20:13) the sixth commandment "DO NO MURDER" or any of the Jewish laws contained within the book of Leviticus. Not all sin is just plain sin, as there are a specific number of things the Lord hates (a proud look or hands that shed innocent blood, for example). (Proverbs 6:16) And a very special class called an "Abomination" unto the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:18) Abomination; Noun 1. An action that is vicious or vile; an action that aroused disgust or abhorrence. 2. Hate coupled with disgust. 3. A person who is loathsome or disgusting. (Habakkuk 1:4) Consider our moral decline as we have aborted (MURDERED) over fifty million innocent children since the high court gave their blessing or green light, and last year planned parenthood (Murder Incorporated) had a slow year with only a little over 327,000 murders performed (don't worry--Obama care will get those numbers back up). (Ezekiel 33:6) This as we continue to feed and house our two legged convicted, caged wild animals, who if set free today, would murder innocents again and again, until caught or killed. There are predictable consequences to society when those of good conscience display cowardice in the face of evil, by permitting the blood shedding of the innocent while sparing the very wicked among us, obedience is better than sacrifice. (Revelation 21:8) "The malice of the wicked, is reinforced by the weakness of the virtuous" Winston Churchill In the Lord's freedom a sheepdog standing against all evil................warrior on
Aurel Gheorghe
First we should differentiate between wars; not all wars are the same and not all executions are just. There are wars of aggression during which horrific atrocities are committed. Also there are wars of defensive nature, in which nations are called to defend their territories and very existence. Likewise, there are hardened criminals that are undoubtedly guilty of horrific crimes who many believe they deserve death. And then are quite few people who are convicted on faulty or fabricated evidences, or based on questionable eyewitnesses. Since the advent of DNA analysis, an increasingly number of people, wrongly accused and sentenced are being exonerated and set free from prisons. Imagine the irreparable injustice to which us as a society we participate in anytime a potential innocent person is being executes. And as a society, we are responsible for the innocent blood because implicitly or explicitly we demanded or tolerated this type punishment. There is a hint of hypocrisy in some circles that are opposed to abortion regardless of medical reasons or circumstances, while they have no hesitation in supporting wars and the capital punishment. Many times we are horrified when we hear of an innocent un-borne life is being extinguished, but we usually remain indifferent when innocent bystanders are being killed in war theaters or when someone is being executed; we assumed he/she was guilty of something atrocious and God wanted it that way. My view is that because only God can create life, God only should take it back. There are some Christian however, who in support of the capital punishment point to the OT justice where God prescribed death for a number of offences. Although in other matters they insist that the OT covenant is no longer binding, when it comes to death and war they find comfort in OT writings to support their point of view. But unlike the OT times, today we do not have God leading our criminal justice and many judges and juries are not God inspired. If in the past, God directly leaded and guided Moses, David or Joshua in wars; today some of our leaders are less inspired.
Ken Love
It seems that some are misled about a number of things. (1) adultery was punished by death - and Jesus is the ultimate author of that law. (2) Who should pull the lever? Under OT law, it was not an individual - it was community stoning. BTW, this meant the punishment was not done in a prison where few could see it, but quite publicly so all would see the consequences. (3) Capital punishment was in the Noahide law (Gen. 9:6) and is to be the law in all lands and cultures. (4) Jesus did not ask for the stoning of the woman caught in adultery because the man was to also be stoned. As has been pointed out, his identity was known - and covered up by those who brought the woman to Jesus. In effect, they were his accomplices. They should have been glad Jesus didn't call for it. BTW, Jesus did not forgive the woman - she showed no sign of repentance. Jesus told her to go and sin no more. (5) Reflection on the Commandment to not murder has many ramifications. Do violent video games or sports violate the intent of this Commandment that promotes life? Building codes were instituted by God to promote life (the parapet on the roof was to keep people from accidentally falling off). (6) The medical profession is governed by the 6th Commandment. OT law provided for quarantines, for instance. (7) Gal. 5:21 groups envyings, murders and drunkeness....all 3 can lead to much harm of innocent people. (8) Proper foods (in moderate amounts), exercise, attitudes all can lead to life - or death. Should we not consider our bodies in the light of God's instructions? (9) God says to not pity the murderer (Deut. 19:13). The judge, jury, or society that does not enforce the death penalty for some crimes becomes an accessory to the crime - and God will Himself punish that society.
Alfonso Ozaeta
According to the teaching of Scripture, God does not favor one person above another. As our Example who condemned hypocrisy [Matt. 6:16; 15:7-9] and who came to reveal the truth [John 14:9; 17:37] about our heavenly Father's character, Jesus practiced what He preached. He preached, by word and deed, love for all [John 15:9,12,13]. 'All' includes friends and foes and makes no exception [Matt. 5:43-44]. Scripture teaches that all have sinned [Rom. 6:23] and that all our righteousness is as filthy rags [Isa. 64:6]. The consequence of sin is death, a consequence we, being all sinners, all justly deserve. On this basis, an 'innocent' baby is as deserving of death as a 'criminal' on death row. True believers and, as such, true followers of Christ are committed to follow the Example that Jesus was and is. Jesus did not come to condemn the world [people], but to save the world [John 3:17]. He did not come to take away anyone's life, but He did come to give life, to give us a more abundant life, to give us everlasting life, to share with us the eternal life that He is [John 14:6]. John 3:16 declares with crystal clarity that those who ultimately perish and suffer the "second death" are those who choose not to believe in Jesus. Those who will live eternally with God in His kingdom of heaven are those who choose to believe in Jesus. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that the final and irreversible fate of the second death, that is, the real death, is self-incurred rather than a direct act of God. Yes, the irreversible second death is self- incurred by the self-condemned! Understand that Jesus is a Lifegiver rather than a life-taker. Understand that, while He sought to save humanity from the second death and to share with mankind the eternal life that He forever is, Jesus did care about the life of our human earthly existence. He raised the dead back to life on more than one occasion. He cared even about the quality of our physical as well as spiritual, mental, emotional, and social lives here on earth. He healed the sick. He restored sight to the blind. He made the lame and the sick of the palsy to walk again! As true followers of Christ, not only do we have an obligation to be life-saving agents of foes as well as friends, but, also, we will be spiritually and compassionately driven to be as concerned about the precious soul of the 'guilty' adult as about the no-more-precious soul of the 'innocent' and unborn baby in the womb. The Example of Jesus was pro-life. Pro-life toward the unborn and pro-life toward the already born! Pro-life toward the 'innocent' and pro-life toward the 'guilty'. While we were yet sinners, He died for everyone. He died that whosoever chooses to believe in Him will share His eternal life. Jesus was, without contradiction and without hypocrisy, pro-life. Be thou likewise! "Love one another as I have loved you."
Michelle Vige
As a Christian, the reason I fight so hard for life, they cannot themselves. A baby is a creation she the egg and sperm meet! Life has been created at that point, God is the only one who can stop it at that point. As for the death penalty, God has said in the Bible, a life for a life, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand and so on for all sin commuted. If not for the grace Jesus fave us when He died on the cross, is to cover all who have signed. If you do not believe in Jesus, God or the Holey Spirit, this grace is not yours. The great thing, it is free! All can have this gift, all needed is faith. As for war, Christians have been fighting for their faith all along. War is a sad thing, but when faith, and liberties are in jeopardy war is the outcome. Does anybody like war? No, it is sad when it has to happen, many are lost or wonder, family's suffer. No one wants to suffer, War can be prevented! But there people that don't want to compromise so war has to happen.
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