The Stoning of Human Beings

NotforSale · #1 06-14-2010, 01:16 PM

I watched one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen last night. It was called, "The Stoning of Soraya M."

Some films move me, others leave me thinking. But then there's the film that drives the point so deep, I'm left almost speechless. This film did that.

Based off of a true story, the reality of stoning a human being is brought out, leaving the viewer in tears. I'm not sure I've ever cried so hard watching a movie. Reviews say, be prepared to sob if you go to the Theater to see this.

IMO, this movie had more impact than "The Passion of the Christ". It was absolutely gut wrenching to watch the act of an actual portrayal of humans stoning another human, especially when the victim cried out in innocence.

I walked away from this film, pondering if God was ever even responsible for one act of this kind of brutality. We take the Bible as a fact, promoting these past atrocities of savage cruelty, but I sincerely doubt that God ever wanted mankind to stone one another.

Why do we continue to justify something we would never do or allow today, calling such a judgement "Insane" by our current ideals?

pelathais · #2 06-14-2010, 01:32 PM

By coincidence, James Caviezel stars in both films you mentioned.

Michael The Disciple · #3 06-14-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

I watched one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen last night. It was called, "The Stoning of Soraya M."

Some films move me, others leave me thinking. But then there's the film that drives the point so deep, I'm left almost speechless. This film did that.

Based off of a true story, the reality of stoning a human being is brought out, leaving the viewer in tears. I'm not sure I've ever cried so hard watching a movie. Reviews say, be prepared to sob if you go to the Theater to see this.

IMO, this movie had more impact than "The Passion of the Christ". It was absolutely gut wrenching to watch the act of an actual portrayal of humans stoning another human, especially when the victim cried out in innocence.

I walked away from this film, pondering if God was ever even responsible for one act of this kind of brutality. We take the Bible as a fact, promoting these past atrocities of savage cruelty, but I sincerely doubt that God ever wanted mankind to stone one another.

Why do we continue to justify something we would never do or allow today, calling such a judgement "Insane" by our current ideals?

Some of us DO believe the Bible. Certainly an instance where an innocent person was stoned is terrible. Nonetheless to me it shows the difference how God feels about sin as compared to how man feels about it.

Be advised. God hates sin. He at times will strike out against it very strongly.

NotforSale · #4 06-14-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Some of us DO believe the Bible. Certainly an instance where an innocent person was stoned is terrible. Nonetheless to me it shows the difference how God feels about sin as compared to how man feels about it.

Be advised. God hates sin. He at times will strike out against it very strongly.

Mike, God didn't stone one person.

Also, numerous innocent people have been slaughtered under the name of God via unproven and unseen evidence.

Have you seen the movie? Would you stone someone?

Another point; It appears that Jesus did not support or encourage the act of stoning.

pelathais · #5 06-14-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Some of us DO believe the Bible. Certainly an instance where an innocent person was stoned is terrible. Nonetheless to me it shows the difference how God feels about sin as compared to how man feels about it.

Be advised. God hates sin. He at times will strike out against it very strongly.

For whatever reasons, Jesus Himself seemed to be generally unsupportive of the people's desire to stone an adulterous woman in John 8.

Interestingly, the people also stated that it was "Moses in the law" who commanded the stoning. They did not attribute this penalty to God, for whatever reason.

I'm leaning toward Not4's position on this one, so far.

Sam · #6 06-14-2010, 03:29 PM

Well, if we accept the idea that the Bible is God's Word (inspired by God) then we have to accept the fact that God established a death penalty and stoning was a means of carrying out that penalty. ref Leviticus chapter 20

It is my understanding that the death penalty was instituted by God after Noah and his family came out of the ark to populate the new heavens and the new earth (ref Genesis 9:1-7) as part of what some dispensationalists would call the dispensation of human government. The death penalty was later incorporated into the Mosaic law and that law differentiated between murder and taking a life (ref Matthew 19:80). It is my understanding that Romans 13:1-7 is an acknowledgment in the NT that human government has the right to take a life. Now, all of that is my opinion and the way I understand the Bible.

Sam · #7 06-14-2010, 03:33 PM

I did not see the movie that was referenced and I have never seen anyone executed, by stoning or any other method.

It is my understanding that there had to be at least two witnesses that had to give testimony before anyone would be executed by the Jews. The person was brought to the place of execution and the first witness cast the first stone. If the first stone did not kill the person, then the second witness cast the second stone. If the person was still alive after those first two stones, then others got their turn with stones. I think I read somewhere that the person who was to be stoned was located somewhat below the person doing the stoning so the stones would be coming from above the person to be executed and could hit the head better.

Jeffrey · #8 06-15-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Well, if we accept the idea that the Bible is God's Word (inspired by God) then we have to accept the fact that God established a death penalty and stoning was a means of carrying out that penalty. ref Leviticus chapter 20

It is my understanding that the death penalty was instituted by God after Noah and his family came out of the ark to populate the new heavens and the new earth (ref Genesis 9:1-7) as part of what some dispensationalists would call the dispensation of human government. The death penalty was later incorporated into the Mosaic law and that law differentiated between murder and taking a life (ref Matthew 19:80). It is my understanding that Romans 13:1-7 is an acknowledgment in the NT that human government has the right to take a life. Now, all of that is my opinion and the way I understand the Bible.

Romans 13 says nothing specifically about the "right to take a life." I'm not sure where that conjecture came from.

pelathais · #9 06-15-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Romans 13 says nothing specifically about the "right to take a life." I'm not sure where that conjecture came from.

Being a "terror" to evil doers seems to imply the power of life or death is in their hands (verse 3); and bearing the sword "not in vain" to "execute God's wrath" is a pretty somber order (verse 4).

There are not many alternatives for our conjecture concerning the use of a sword in wrath.

Michael The Disciple · #10 06-14-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelathais

For whatever reasons, Jesus Himself seemed to be generally unsupportive of the people's desire to stone an adulterous woman in John 8.

Interestingly, the people also stated that it was "Moses in the law" who commanded the stoning. They did not attribute this penalty to God, for whatever reason.

I'm leaning toward Not4's position on this one, so far.

Jesus wanted to show the woman mercy. God said he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. Notice tho he did not forbid the stoning just demanded it be done by those without sin.