Comments on: Ethics question: Kill or be killed? http://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/ Christian, southern baptist, theology, reformed, thinking, culture, religion, apologetics, defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:23:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: juanhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24830 juan Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:25:26 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24830 Since assumptions are being made, if these two options are true then the prisoner is dead. And if you want to excuse yourself of such act, then think of it as sacrifying yourself for the good of the others and beg forgiveness from the Almighty. Personally humanity's hypocrisy has no boundaries. There is more to say to this scenario but let's leave as is. Since assumptions are being made, if these two options are true then the prisoner is dead. And if you want to excuse yourself of such act, then think of it as sacrifying yourself for the good of the others and beg forgiveness from the Almighty.
Personally humanity’s hypocrisy has no boundaries.
There is more to say to this scenario but let’s leave as is.

]]> By: SirBrasshttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24495 SirBrass Mon, 03 May 2010 23:06:56 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24495 I would refuse. No matter the outcome, to kill that innocent person is murder, and that is sin. If God would rescue me from that situation, He would not do so by mandating that I sin. Not that He wouldn't use that sin if it were His purpose to do so, but God is perfectly capable of ordaining that I go through that situation yet not commit the sin of murder in order to be freed. I would leave it in His Almighty hands. Verification word: faith I would refuse. No matter the outcome, to kill that innocent person is murder, and that is sin. If God would rescue me from that situation, He would not do so by mandating that I sin. Not that He wouldn’t use that sin if it were His purpose to do so, but God is perfectly capable of ordaining that I go through that situation yet not commit the sin of murder in order to be freed. I would leave it in His Almighty hands.

Verification word: faith

]]> By: Craighttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24221 Craig Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:38:41 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24221 This sounds familiar. I think every ethics professor uses this example. This sounds familiar. I think every ethics professor uses this example.

]]> By: Tweets that mention ethics question | choices | kill | be killed -- Topsy.comhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24099 Tweets that mention ethics question | choices | kill | be killed -- Topsy.com Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:02:28 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24099 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Lamprecht, Mark Lamprecht, Mark Lamprecht, Mark Lamprecht, Mark Lamprecht and others. Mark Lamprecht said: @hereiblog: New post: Ethics question: Kill or be killed? Is the captive 'innocent'? (http://bit.ly/bLUGcr) [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Lamprecht, Mark Lamprecht, Mark Lamprecht, Mark Lamprecht, Mark Lamprecht and others. Mark Lamprecht said: @hereiblog: New post: Ethics question: Kill or be killed? Is the captive 'innocent'? (http://bit.ly/bLUGcr) [...]

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24127 Mark Sun, 31 Jan 2010 06:59:37 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24127 I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? "<i>And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.</i>" <br><br>Just thinking... I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? “And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.”

Just thinking…

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24095 Mark Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:59:37 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24095 I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? "<i>And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.</i>" <br><br>Just thinking... I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? “And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.”

Just thinking…

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24096 Mark Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:59:37 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24096 I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? "<i>And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.</i>" <br><br>Just thinking... I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? “And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.”

Just thinking…

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24097 Mark Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:59:37 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24097 I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? "<i>And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.</i>" <br><br>Just thinking... I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? “And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.”

Just thinking…

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24098 Mark Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:59:37 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24098 I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? "<i>And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.</i>" <br><br>Just thinking... I wonder if Romans 3:8 would fit here somewhat. Maybe a bit of a prooftext? “And why not j do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.”

Just thinking…

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24088 Mark Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:25:30 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24088 Michael,<br><br>I'm not sure our responsibility to the rest of the group is being overlooked. Maybe, like me, others have considered it and still choose death. Considering the lives of others in this situation does seem to be a form of the greater good position.<br><br>It seems that the duty to our neighbor can cut both ways either to our own group or to the innocent captive. The deontological ethic would then call upon us to not kill the captive since murder by God's standard is wrong. We would not get to judge either way, but to lay down our life by not murdering. We would just trust God in the whole situation.<br><br>There are a lot of unanswered/unknown assumptions which is what makes it so interesting. :) Michael,

I'm not sure our responsibility to the rest of the group is being overlooked. Maybe, like me, others have considered it and still choose death. Considering the lives of others in this situation does seem to be a form of the greater good position.

It seems that the duty to our neighbor can cut both ways either to our own group or to the innocent captive. The deontological ethic would then call upon us to not kill the captive since murder by God's standard is wrong. We would not get to judge either way, but to lay down our life by not murdering. We would just trust God in the whole situation.

There are a lot of unanswered/unknown assumptions which is what makes it so interesting. :)

]]> By: michaelvolhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24087 michaelvol Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:52:35 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24087 Mark,<br><br>There is a complicating factor built into the question that I think has been overlooked: our responsibility toward the other members in the group. None of us would want to kill an innocent person for own sake, but what about our duty of neighbor love to the many? This could of course be a version of the greater good argument which is not really an option for the Christian, but in a particular circumstance there could be a deontolofical component (e.g. having absolute certainty that all would go free if you did kill and a similar certainty that all would killed if you did not). Such a situation is almost inconceivable though, as ruthless people rarely act in good faith. The problem in the question is that the outcome for each option can only be assumed. The best option is not to kill. Given the uncertain outcome, there is no reasonable expectation of duty to defend the other folks. The only absolute we can honor with certainty is the absolute not to kill. I believe that is what God would require of us, but it is not so clear on first glance. Mark,

There is a complicating factor built into the question that I think has been overlooked: our responsibility toward the other members in the group. None of us would want to kill an innocent person for own sake, but what about our duty of neighbor love to the many? This could of course be a version of the greater good argument which is not really an option for the Christian, but in a particular circumstance there could be a deontolofical component (e.g. having absolute certainty that all would go free if you did kill and a similar certainty that all would killed if you did not). Such a situation is almost inconceivable though, as ruthless people rarely act in good faith. The problem in the question is that the outcome for each option can only be assumed. The best option is not to kill. Given the uncertain outcome, there is no reasonable expectation of duty to defend the other folks. The only absolute we can honor with certainty is the absolute not to kill. I believe that is what God would require of us, but it is not so clear on first glance.

]]> By: Daniel Spratlinhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24086 Daniel Spratlin Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:41:41 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24086 The original scenario has me as an outsider to the country's civil war. Adding your situation then would erase the imminent threat of bodily harm to myself and our group. So, all things being equal, I do not find any justification in killing this person. Now this could change depending on a number of factors (e.g. reason for the civil war, conditions of our being captees, etc.). The original scenario has me as an outsider to the country's civil war. Adding your situation then would erase the imminent threat of bodily harm to myself and our group. So, all things being equal, I do not find any justification in killing this person. Now this could change depending on a number of factors (e.g. reason for the civil war, conditions of our being captees, etc.).

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24084 Mark Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:11:37 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24084 Seth, that is very interesting about the title of your post. I need to check it out. Seth, that is very interesting about the title of your post. I need to check it out.

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24085 Mark Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:11:37 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24085 Seth, that is very interesting about the title of your post. I need to check it out. Seth, that is very interesting about the title of your post. I need to check it out.

]]> By: Jerryhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24083 Jerry Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:56:44 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24083 This is in the context of the original scenario. This is in the context of the original scenario.

]]> By: Daniel Spratlinhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24082 Daniel Spratlin Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:24:44 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24082 Jerry,<br><br>Could you elaborate more? Is this in the context of war? Are our lives in imminent danger? Jerry,

Could you elaborate more? Is this in the context of war? Are our lives in imminent danger?

]]> By: Jerryhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24081 Jerry Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:31:16 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24081 Several have objected to my observation that none are innocent, so let me ask this question:<br><br>Would you, personally, kill someone who was guilty of being a member of the opposing forces so that you and your group could go free?<br><br>Me neither. Several have objected to my observation that none are innocent, so let me ask this question:

Would you, personally, kill someone who was guilty of being a member of the opposing forces so that you and your group could go free?

Me neither.

]]> By: Markhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24080 Mark Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:24:25 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24080 Thanks for the responses everyone. So far I'm with you all in that I would die rather than kill someone else. I would not participate therefore making myself culpable for murder.<br><br>I also agree with Daniel that from our perspective there are innocent people. Especially, in this situation. Thanks for the responses everyone. So far I'm with you all in that I would die rather than kill someone else. I would not participate therefore making myself culpable for murder.

I also agree with Daniel that from our perspective there are innocent people. Especially, in this situation.

]]> By: Les Puryearhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24079 Les Puryear Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:17:00 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24079 We must abandon biblical principles for the sake of situational ethics. God has control over life and death, not me. I cannot kill anyone, thus I guess I die. And that's okay. We must abandon biblical principles for the sake of situational ethics. God has control over life and death, not me. I cannot kill anyone, thus I guess I die. And that's okay.

]]> By: Banghttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24077 Bang Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:59:57 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24077 Umm. Kaboom. Kthxbye. Umm. Kaboom. Kthxbye.

]]> By: Daniel Spratlinhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24076 Daniel Spratlin Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:42:29 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24076 Jerry,<br><br>There are innocent people from man's perspective. If we were to apply the "none innocent" approach to real life, we could not justly condemn murder because all of us "deserve death."<br><br>Bottom line: taking another's life without just cause is a prima facie moral evil. Jerry,

There are innocent people from man's perspective. If we were to apply the “none innocent” approach to real life, we could not justly condemn murder because all of us “deserve death.”

Bottom line: taking another's life without just cause is a prima facie moral evil.

]]> By: barwalhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24072 barwal Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:58:36 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24072 I'm dead. I'm dead.

]]> By: Sethhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24071 Seth Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:53:29 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24071 Mark.<br><br>Jesus was faced with this dilemma, and he chose death on the cross. Yet he died for the guilty, not the innocent. I say we live like Jesus and prove we are on his side. <br><br>I was interested in the title of your post because I used it in my post tidY on loving our enemies. Anyways...hope you're well.<br><br>Seth Mark.

Jesus was faced with this dilemma, and he chose death on the cross. Yet he died for the guilty, not the innocent. I say we live like Jesus and prove we are on his side.

I was interested in the title of your post because I used it in my post tidY on loving our enemies. Anyways…hope you're well.

Seth

]]> By: Jerryhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24070 Jerry Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:51:59 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24070 There are no innocent, neither in my group nor the other prisoner. All of us deserve death and hell. The captors don't hold the power of life and death, that is reserved to God alone.<br><br>I would hope that I would trust in God's Providence and face this situation with the courage of my convictions. "Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him." There are no innocent, neither in my group nor the other prisoner. All of us deserve death and hell. The captors don't hold the power of life and death, that is reserved to God alone.

I would hope that I would trust in God's Providence and face this situation with the courage of my convictions. “Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him.”

]]> By: sdansmithhttp://hereiblog.com/ethics-question-kill-or-be-killed/comment-page-1/#comment-24069 sdansmith Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:09:01 +0000 http://hereiblog.com/?p=2967#comment-24069 We cannot kill someone who is innocent, so if captured, we'd have to decline. Thankfully, I'm not in that actual situation, so I can just discuss this without thinking about my actual decision-making in the hostile situation. We just can't trade an innocent life for our freedom. For Christ, it was the other way around. We cannot kill someone who is innocent, so if captured, we'd have to decline. Thankfully, I'm not in that actual situation, so I can just discuss this without thinking about my actual decision-making in the hostile situation. We just can't trade an innocent life for our freedom. For Christ, it was the other way around.

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