Date: 2/19/2001 10:08:00 PM
From Authorid: 13354
Hi TC!!! Gosh it's been a long time since I've seen one
of your post. Well, anyway, here goes my 2 cents. Yes, I
believe a Christian could be an executioner. For one thing,
God allows killing when necessary but not MURDER. There is a
big difference. I can't remember anywhere in the New Testament
that talks about this either but my general feeling is that we
would establish laws in a country and respect the laws of that
country. It does have some to say about things like that. When it
comes to stoning people in the Old Testment or killing them in some
way for a "SIN" or a crime, it gets kind of complicated. You have
several things which come into play here. Remember how the Old testament
Jews put people to death for adultry but Jesus would not condemn the woman
brought to him which was taken IN adultry??? Also, remember how the Jews
would even have to put their own children to death if they were too disobedient???
It seems really hard and unreasonable, doesn't it??? Well, that is how it was
intended. It was intended to be SO HARD for them to follow all those laws which they
thought could help them earn Heaven that they would see that NO ONE could do it!!!
This was the Old covenant. The Old covenant was given to them to show them how sinful
they were and help them to realize they were not able to be righteous enough by themself.
The New covenant was the covenant of MERCY. The had a way to become righteous and have
their sins forgiven. It was through Jesus Christ.  |
Date: 2/19/2001 10:42:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 177
Oh hi, Pam. I've been around, but was going by the alias of *AMRAK*. I understand your viewpoint, although I disagree. In my opinion, Jesus came with a more enlightened message, and wanted to see things that the Jews were doing, (that were not good in the first place) done away with.  |
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Date: 2/20/2001 9:21:00 PM
From Authorid: 13354
Hi, I'm back. Yes, I agree Jesus wanted people to see
through some of that stuff and yes much of it has been
done away with. You are right. The reason he was SO HARD
on the Pharacees and the Saducees though in my opinion was
because they THOUGHT they had achieved this unobtainable goal
and they looked down on others. They didn't see their own sin
and felt they could get to Heaven on their own. He basically considered
them the "scum of the earth." |
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Date: 2/20/2001 9:46:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 177
I agree that the saducees & pharacees were apparently a conceited bunch. I think their attitude can still be found today...in all religions. |
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Date: 2/20/2001 9:53:00 PM
From Authorid: 18737
Hiya, TC *Amrak.. woo, woo.. smile*... The New Testament clearly prohibits capital punishment. Obviously, *some* Christians prefer to pick and choose whichever bible verse supports their own opinion, but John 8:7 (story of the adultress and casting the first stone) clearly demonstrates that the death penalty is not allowed. *smile*... May peace and harmony be forever yours. /s/ J.T. |
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Date: 2/20/2001 10:07:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 177
Howdy, J.T. So now you know my sneaky ways! WooWoo! Yes, it's just another example of how people can look at the exact same writings, and walk away with totally different interpretations. But I agree with you. I don't recall anywhere in the N.T. where Capital punishment is supported. If anything killing is condemned without qualifications. |
Date: 2/20/2001 10:55:00 PM
From Authorid: 25627
Personally, I believe the question is anwswered very plainly when Jesus instructed to turn the other cheek when wronged. When one of his disciples asked how many times he should forgive someone who wronged him, Jesus replied seven times seven times seventy. Biblically, are we to forgive those who do wrong or sentence them to die for their crime? Jesus' main teaching was love..how can you love someone and send them to die at the same time....Thumb  |
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Date: 2/20/2001 11:22:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 177
Greetings, Thumb. I think I partly agree with you. I believe that turning the other cheek is about not striking back in anger, but not necesarilly about not defending oneself from injury or death. One should not take personal vengeance, however. Capital punishment certainly resembles vengeance to me. |
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Date: 2/21/2001 11:45:00 AM
From Authorid: 13354
TC, your comment about their attitude is RIGHT ON.
As you know, I am a Christian but I am pretty sickened
at times by some of the self righteousness I see. |
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Date: 2/22/2001 4:14:00 AM
From Authorid: 28148
Ok, I'll have a go at this. Christianity supposedly adheres to the Ten Commandments right? What's the first commandment? Thou shalt not kill. Bit of a paradox there huh? Endorsing the breaking of one of it's main rules.
Rude |
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Date: 2/22/2001 4:16:00 AM
From Authorid: 28148
After all it says 'Thou shalt not Kill', not 'Thou shalt not kill, except when absolutely necessary or endorsed by your leaders' |
