Do not kill

Here are some notes from Trent Horn and Kevin De Young on wot they says about the fifth commandment (the link requires a donation to get the PW and is for my benefit mostly).

1. Trent Horn. Catholic apologist.

Everyone agrees that it is wrong to kill for no good reason. The disagreement comes when we ask  who counts as a person; and consider what special circumstances could justify killing. Jesus implied a "spirit" of the law . He expanded it to being even angry with someone, as He did with "adultery in the heart". To harbour intense anger is a sin! Hatred, jealously and envy can be murder in the heart! This commandment refers not to killing so much, but murder. We are allowed to love ourselves and protect ourselves with lethal force. Here Trent discussed in detail 'double effect'. Killing a burglar has a good and bad effect, he says. The bad effect of his death was forseen but not intended. The good effect is me being alive. But that doesn't come from him dying. The intention is to incapacitate, but death maybe an  unfortunate consequence. The good effect must be justified. Killing someone for stealing your "doghouse" is not justified. The justice system recognises differing degrees of murder. (Even unintentional killing, manslaughter, has degrees of culpability...editor). Trent then, not unexpectedly, discussed abortion in detail.

The church says that human beings must be respected from conception. Abortion is gravely wrong and can never be justified. We don't put to death rapists but we often kill the unborn child! Just being older and bigger does not give you the right to kill someone smaller, younger and more dependant like a child in the womb! This commandment also covers doing harm to the body. Euphanaisa is moraly unacceptable. But all human life is valuable. We must suffer alongside the terminally ill. Passive euthanasia is wrong too. We must always provide the basic necessities of life. If at the end of life a person is unable to eat, we do not have to force feed though. Doctors may kill the pain, not the patient. We do not have a right to die. We have a right to life. We forcibly stop suicide. We can discontinue burdinsome medical procedures that are disproportionate or dangerous or painful. Likewise we can use pain killers even if death is a possible consequence.

In the case of the mentally ill, they are not always culpable; so of those commiting suicide, most of whom suffer mental illness, these may go still go to heaven, according to the Church.

The church does permit cremation, but there is a preference for burial. Nevertheless the ashes MUST be buried. We must not deny a resurrection of the body which scattering them, or burying under a tree may do.

As to war, the consequences for not doing it, must be lasting and grave to justify it. Civilians must never be targeted (sorry Bomber Harris... editor.). And weapons of an indiscrimant nature like nucleur devices are not permitted (Sorry Truman ...editor.).

2. Kevin De Young

What does thePresbyterian minister Kevin say?

Kevin De Young says that in Hebrew we are told simply "no murder" which is a literal translation. Everyone agrees murder is wrong. Jesus didn't tell the centurion to stop being a soldier. So Just Wars and capital punishment are not prohibited. The old testament and the commandments were wise to consider the reasons behind killing. Carelessness was not tolerated. Suicide is prohibited. In most cases suicide is morally culpable. It occurs six times in the bible." It is always wrong though, a sinful choice. This is the truth." Said a mother who lost five children this way. Abortion is prohibited. In the old testament there was an eye for eye for killing a mother's unborn child. Life begins at conception. Body and soul have an organic union from conception says Kevin. There are many ethical problems with euphanasia. To choose to end treatment is not the same as ending life. In the Netherlands pressure is put on people to use assisted suicide. Everyone is precious though. Dependant or not. All life matters to God. Jesus deepened the commandment. We can still face the wrath of God if we are angry and bitter. We must eliminate it in ourselves and others. Praying for and loving others does not allow it. We must be patient, peace lovers. You will not get out until you have paid the last penny says Jesus indicating the need to firgive. In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus takes the cup of bitterness. "He was murdered for angry sinners like ourselves".

I think the two above theologians cover the subject matter well, and, for all intents and purposes, excepting research findings for suicide,  are  in agreement.