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This has, so far, been one of my very favorite threads since joining this forum. Well done gentlemen.

K.Mooneyham wrote:Working with what Mr. Cotton said, and adding that Almighty God can see what is in a person's heart, I tend to believe He would see a difference between killing to preserve other lives, and murder.

So I wanted to clarify - I have my mind made up. I was more looking for where others stand - what is your take on it. Some of the philosophical history and background is interesting. But is that what you believe ?

And for those of you that believe that killing and murder are the same - are you prepared to take a life ? While its not something anyone wants to do, but one must prepare for the worst eventuality. And if you are forced to use your gun, it is a very real possibility.

I believe most reasonable people will struggle with or at least give pause to think about it. I found faith in boot camp. I began to have a crisis of conscience at the possibility of me taking a life as a soldier. I must not have been the only one because it became a discussion at one of our fellowship meeting. Our faith leader(not really sure what the best title for him, it was an informal spiritual meeting/fellowship, not a church) brought up the subject on request. He laid down an argument, backed by scripture(I don't have the memory nor the ability to quote scripture so don't know/remember what verses he used) that spoke to me on a level that not only answered the moral/ethical question but spiritually as well. This was also the first time I heard that it was 'Thou Shall not Murder', not 'Thou Shall not Kill'.

K.Mooneyham wrote:Working with what Mr. Cotton said, and adding that Almighty God can see what is in a person's heart, I tend to believe He would see a difference between killing to preserve other lives, and murder.

100%

As has been stated before, God clearly establishes the difference between "murder" and "killing." He also went so far as to distinguish between "murder" and "manslaughter" when He established the Cities of Refuge. In both cases, a human life ended, but the Cities of Refuge provided just that (refuge) when that life was taken accidentally/without premeditation (Joshua 20:3 - "that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there.")

IBTL