Christians as Murderers?

[Jehoram]

By what measure of sanity can Christians call themselves Pro-life and yet be in total agreement with the death penalty? The death penalty allows for murder at the hands of the government, which in America is the citizenry. So everytime someone is executed, we are his/her murderers.

How is it possible to be a Christian and yet approve of such barbaric practices?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

By what measure of sanity can Christians call themselves Pro-life and yet be in total agreement with the death penalty? The death penalty allows for murder at the hands of the government, which in America is the citizenry. So everytime someone is executed, we are his/her murderers.

How is it possible to be a Christian and yet approve of such barbaric practices?

God said "Thou shalt not kill", yet He commanded His people to annihilate their enemies. How does that reconcile?

I think there is a difference between taking innocent life and someone who basically chooses their fate with their own actions.

I'm not entirely comfortable with the death penalty...BUT...I certainly wouldn't hesitate to defend my family with deadly force if necessary, and I think the death penalty is similarly...a defense of society.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

By what measure of sanity can Christians call themselves Pro-life and yet be in total agreement with the death penalty? The death penalty allows for murder at the hands of the government, which in America is the citizenry. So everytime someone is executed, we are his/her murderers.

How is it possible to be a Christian and yet approve of such barbaric practices?

This is a GOOD Arguement... an elderly man asked my one time... Would I be Willing to Pull the Lever on the Electric Chair as a Christian and take a Man's Life... ... made me think..

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

By what measure of sanity can Christians call themselves Pro-life and yet be in total agreement with the death penalty? The death penalty allows for murder at the hands of the government, which in America is the citizenry. So everytime someone is executed, we are his/her murderers.

How is it possible to be a Christian and yet approve of such barbaric practices?

This is an interesting question, however we are talking about innocent babies and the guilty who have taken someone elses life.

The Bible is a book of justice. The conundrum is that when an individual is executed, and of course if they haven't followed the 23 steps to attain true salvation, they are instantly escorted to hell.

The last part is what I find a little untenable.

Originally Posted by revrandy

This is a GOOD Arguement... an elderly man asked my one time... Would I be Willing to Pull the Lever on the Electric Chair as a Christian and take a Man's Life... ... made me think..

Is this why kids in the UPC are discouraged from joining the armed services?

[Jehoram]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

God said "Thou shalt not kill", yet He commanded His people to annihilate their enemies. How does that reconcile?

God also commanded His people not to eat pork but we do. What did Jesus say to do to those who hurt us and despitefully use us?

If we think the basis of approval is found in OT law, should we not follow the law in it's entirety?

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Is this why kids in the UPC are discouraged from joining the armed services?

I don't know of many if any who discourage joining the Armed Forces..

[Jehoram]

The UPC discourages its adherents to engage in military combat. The Articles of Faith suggest a pacifist approach to confrontation.

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

By what measure of sanity can Christians call themselves Pro-life and yet be in total agreement with the death penalty? The death penalty allows for murder at the hands of the government, which in America is the citizenry. So everytime someone is executed, we are his/her murderers.

How is it possible to be a Christian and yet approve of such barbaric practices?

Unborn children are incapable of being blood guilty.

We must protect the innocent. the unborn are innocent. Murderers have proven they can and will kill. The only way to keep a killer from killing again is to kill them.

Originally Posted by Alter Ego

By what measure of sanity can Christians call themselves Pro-life and yet be in total agreement with the death penalty? The death penalty allows for murder at the hands of the government, which in America is the citizenry. So everytime someone is executed, we are his/her murderers.

How is it possible to be a Christian and yet approve of such barbaric practices?

I am pro-life. I don't believe in the death penalty.