Spirituality
21 Sep 17
21 Sep 17
I am an American, and this country is full of people who love both Jesus and Guns. I suppose I find that a little bit odd, given the overall pacific nature of Jesus' teachings.
I suppose target practice is harmless enough. I admit that I both own guns and yet do not consider myself a violent person.
But my neighbor's door recently got kicked in and they got robbed. I don't want to ever have to do it, but if the same happens to me then I'll load my 12 gauge and shoot the intruders if need be.
Do any of the Christians here struggle with the idea of harming people, even in the course of self defense? I am not a Christian, but I do. I would kill an intruder in self-defense if he forced me to do it, but I fear I would be traumatized from the the experience and I would find it hard to live with. I fear I would have nightmares in which I re-lived the shooting again and again. I fear that final face of the dead person would haunt me.
21 Sep 17
Originally posted by @vivifyMaybe it is not a contradiction. Still, I'd appreciate at least a link to explain why "turning the other cheek" does not rule out lethal self-defense.
Violence due to self defense isn't a contradiction in the bible. "Turn the other cheek" doesn't mean don't defend yourself; people get that wrong.
The bible tells Christians to "carry a dagger" to protect themselves. And that's a New Testament quote.
21 Sep 17
Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemTurn the other cheek does not mean let some group of guys break into your home and rape your daughter or wife.
Maybe it is not a contradiction. Still, I'd appreciate at least a link to explain why "turning the other cheek" does not rule out lethal self-defense.
21 Sep 17
Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemAs an atheist I do.
Do any of the Christians here struggle with the idea of harming people, even in the course of self defense?
I certainly would not shoot someone breaking into my home unless a life was in danger.
In fact the law in NZ and UK prohibits excessive force
and unlike the States you will end up in prison if you
shoot someone on your property.
I think culture probably pays a much larger part than religion.
In other words US Christians will think more like US
non-Christians than they would UK Christians on this issue.
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @wolfgang59UK men let their wife and daughters get raped?
As an atheist I do.
I certainly would not shoot someone breaking into my home unless a life was in danger.
In fact the law in NZ and UK prohibits excessive force
and unlike the States you will end up in prison if you
shoot someone on your property.
I think culture probably pays a much larger part than religion.
In other words US Christians will think more like US
non-Christians than they would UK Christians on this issue.
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @wolfgang59Maybe culture is the problem. Literally, this happened to my next-door neighbor.
As an atheist I do.
I certainly would not shoot someone breaking into my home unless a life was in danger.
In fact the law in NZ and UK prohibits excessive force
and unlike the States you will end up in prison if you
shoot someone on your property.
I think culture probably pays a much larger part than religion.
In other words US Christians will think more like US
non-Christians than they would UK Christians on this issue.
But if I'm going to shoot, it's to kill. I'm not going to leave a guy maimed to bring charges against me.
But there is another cultural thing. I think most US courts would find my case sympathetic and let me off.
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemI know some religious people who think that if someone breaks in their house they shouldn't fight back and kill because that other person probably doesn't know Jesus Christ and they will risk their life because their eternity is already set in stone.
I am an American, and this country is full of people who love both Jesus and Guns. I suppose I find that a little bit odd, given the overall pacific nature of Jesus' teachings.
I suppose target practice is harmless enough. I admit that I both own guns and yet do not consider myself a violent person.
But my neighbor's door recently got kicked in ...[text shortened]... re-lived the shooting again and again. I fear that final face of the dead person would haunt me.
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @eladarReported rapes in USA, UK and NZ are all about 3-4 per million of population.
UK men let their wife and daughters get raped?
Guns don't seem to matter do they?
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemI think you feel that because you know how special all life is, which I think speaks very
I am an American, and this country is full of people who love both Jesus and Guns. I suppose I find that a little bit odd, given the overall pacific nature of Jesus' teachings.
I suppose target practice is harmless enough. I admit that I both own guns and yet do not consider myself a violent person.
But my neighbor's door recently got kicked in ...[text shortened]... re-lived the shooting again and again. I fear that final face of the dead person would haunt me.
highly of you. You would no doubt feel the same way even if you accidently caused
another to die. I think having my own life threaten I may defer, but my family I'd more than
likely send them to God, and as you say, feel that the rest of my life.
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @wolfgang59In my opinion if someone unlawfully* breaks into my home then he (or she) automatically gives up the 'right' to be treated in a fair and equitable manner.
As an atheist I do.
I certainly would not shoot someone breaking into my home unless a life was in danger.
In fact the law in NZ and UK prohibits excessive force
and unlike the States you will end up in prison if you
shoot someone on your property.
I think culture probably pays a much larger part than religion.
In other words US Christians will think more like US
non-Christians than they would UK Christians on this issue.
* this (obviously) doesn't apply to a neighbor, friend or relative who forcefully enters because they believe I'm in need of help.
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @wolfgang59I only care about the potential one in my house.
Reported rapes in USA, UK and NZ are all about 3-4 per million of population.
Guns don't seem to matter do they?
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemI am a Christian, and I feel the same way.
I am an American, and this country is full of people who love both Jesus and Guns. I suppose I find that a little bit odd, given the overall pacific nature of Jesus' teachings.
I suppose target practice is harmless enough. I admit that I both own guns and yet do not consider myself a violent person.
But my neighbor's door recently got kicked in ...[text shortened]... re-lived the shooting again and again. I fear that final face of the dead person would haunt me.
I think that the sanctity of human life that we feel exists in us causes us pause when deliberating the idea of killing a human being, under any circumstances, but there is also that drive within we call self preservation. I hate the idea of killing, but I hope I wouldn't hesitate, especially in defense of another.
22 Sep 17
Originally posted by @lemon-limeSo killing someone who is attempting to steal your tv is ok?
In my opinion if someone unlawfully* breaks into my home then he (or she) automatically gives up the 'right' to be treated in a fair and equitable manner.
* this (obviously) doesn't apply to a neighbor, friend or relative who forcefully enters because they believe I'm in need of help.
Originally posted by @wolfgang59US Christians seem to think like no other Christians I've ever met.
As an atheist I do.
I certainly would not shoot someone breaking into my home unless a life was in danger.
In fact the law in NZ and UK prohibits excessive force
and unlike the States you will end up in prison if you
shoot someone on your property.
I think culture probably pays a much larger part than religion.
In other words US Christians will think more like US
non-Christians than they would UK Christians on this issue.