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The media today is fond of telling us that Islam is a
nice, wholesome, religion that is "non-violent," while we hear every day that Islamic
extremists are killing people, cutting off heads, etc., all in the name
of their god, "Allah." Even governments based on Islamic law talk
calmly about executing people that have converted from Islam to
Christianity. Non-violent? I don't think so! Meanwhile, we have
"non-violent Christian" ministers and groups coming out against capital
punishment, saying that "Thou shalt not kill," means that ANY execution
is against the laws of God. What are we to think about these issues? What HAS God called us to do?
Well, first of all, it IS
true that Romans 12:18 says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth
in you, live peaceably with all men." And, 1 Thess. 5:13b says,
"...be at peace among yourselves." We are called upon by God to
be, by nature, peaceful people and walk peacefully among men.
Unlike Islam, Christianity does not say that if you don't believe, you
should be killed! However, notice that it does say... "If it be possible..." The implication is that sometimes it is NOT
possible!
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I guarantee you, if someone is trying to harm my wife,
Belinda, or my son, Ben, I am gonna be putting "a 'hurtin' on
'em!" Also, with regard to the phrase "be at peace among yourselves,"
sometimes there are times that people "outside" our group, country, or
way of life, declares total war on us (as Islamic terrorists have) and
we then have no Biblical compunction to "be at peace" with them... if
they are sworn to destroy us!
What about "Thou shalt not kill?" (Exodus 20:19) That is certainly scripture. It is certainly the law of God. And, this scripture is used by many "Christian Anti-War Groups" to say that there is NEVER
a time to kill under any circumstances. However, the confusion
here comes from a reading of the old English translation of this
scripture, NOT the meaning of
the original text. The original Hebrew text in Exodus 20:19 is
better translated, "Do not take innocent life." That is, do not
commit murder. The use of capital punishment is not the taking of
"innocent life." However, the very best example of taking
innocent life that I can think of is to murder an innocent child in an
abortion. It is amazing to me that the very same people that
claim to be so "enlightened" and "peace loving" and quote Exodus 20:19
to say that condemned murders should not be executed, are the SAME people that say that abortion is simply, "... a women's choice for her own body." Taking of innocent life is EXACTLY
what God was condemning! The government using it's authority to
punish murder by executing the person, or persons, responsible for the
taking of an innocent life, is not. In fact, the scripture says
that the police officer, or court official, is a "minister of God" that
"beareth not the sword in vain." (Romans 13:4)
People today are confused about what is, and is not, "peaceful" and
"Godly." The scriptures, however, make it plain. We are to
live a quiet and peaceable life in all honesty. (1 Timothy
2:2) But we are not to let the evildoers of this world just walk
all over us in the process. We need to stand up for what is
right, and good, and true!
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