To Christians - when is it allowed to kill fellow humans?

Ask any ancient Hebrew scholar, and you will be told that the word in question is not "kill", but "murder". Of course, murder of necessity incorporates killing. But the point of that commandment is that murder is the sin.

It cannot mean lawful killing because way back in time, in Genesis, God said that anyone who sheds man's blood (in murder) would have their blood shed as well - as punishment. "A life for a life" principle. The Bible has a lot to say about that as being the penalty for murder.

Of course, you are correct to express horror at the way millions are wiped out in wars, but don't you realize that large numbers of Christians, from every array of denomination, are conscientious objectors to war? When my husband refused conscription into military service, he went to prison. He got hundreds of letters and cards from all over the world, encouraging him. Not one of those was from a Jehovah's Witness - they boast about how they never take part in war. So this proves that for every JW conscientious objector to war, there must be hundreds of non-JW conscientious objectors to war.

Besides, the Bible shows that governments will answer to God for how they "bear the sword". Romans chapter 13. Christians pay their taxes, irrespective of how much of that goes towards war. Their consciences are clear because God will hold the governments responsible for how they use that money. And all Christians are free to refuse military service; many do. That commandment speaks only of murder, but those war-mongerers who DO murder during war will answer to God for that. AiH

Pursuing peace does not guarantee that you will never face violent attack. Faithful worshippers of God throughout history have been victims of violent crime. (Genesis 4:8; Job 1:14, 15, 17) If a person is confronted by an armed robber, what should he do? Jesus instructed: “Do not resist him that is wicked.” (Matthew 5:39) He also said: “From him that takes away your outer garment, do not withhold even the undergarment.” (Luke 6:29) Jesus did not condone use of physical weapons to defend material possessions. If confronted by an armed robber, a wise person will not resist giving up his valuables. Surely, life is far more precious than belongings!

On the other hand, what if a person’s life is threatened by an assailant? A law that God gave to ancient Israel sheds light on this. If a thief was caught in the daytime and was killed, the assailant would be charged with murder. This was evidently because thievery did not carry the death penalty and the thief could have been identified and brought to justice. However, if an intruder was fatally struck at night, the householder could be exonerated because it would be difficult for him to see what the intruder was doing and to ascertain the intentions of the intruder. The householder could reasonably conclude that his family was under threat of harm and take defensive action.—Exodus 22:2, 3.

The Bible thus indicates that a person may defend himself or his family if physically assaulted. He may ward off blows, restrain the attacker, or even strike a blow to stun or incapacitate him. The intention would be to neutralize the aggression or stop the attack. This being the case, if the aggressor was seriously harmed or killed in such a situation, his death would be accidental and not deliberate.

Clearly, there are circumstances under which reasonable self-defense is justified. People have a right to protect themselves and their loved ones from aggression and deadly harm. When escape is not possible, there is no Biblical injunction against reasonably defending ourselves. Still, the course of wisdom would be to do our best to avoid situations with a potential for violence.—Proverbs 16:32.

The Bible encourages us to “seek peace and pursue it” in all avenues of our life. (1 Peter 3:11) This is a practical formula that really contributes to peaceful living.

Why are you lumping a principle with the volatile nature of a human? That's like asking why COPS (notice the noun) launders money or hustles weed when they're supposed to uphold justice. Or why is America about freedom yet it bombs other countries, forces countries into democracy, and takes away the rights of gay people and whatnot?

The principle of christianity is to NOT kill, it's a sin. Those who claim they're christian and then do the opposite of that are OBVIOUSLY disobeying the principle now aren't they?

It's against the law to murder someone illegally in America, but people do it all the time and many times get away with it. Why is it okay for criminals to deliberately kill folk when the American law says you can't murder anyone illegally?

You get the point? Probably not, but again...can't mix the principle with the FREE choice of those who wish to identify with it.

my 2 cents.

It is never ok to take the life of another person. True Christians refuse military service and refuse to get involved in the wars of the nations and the politics of this world now under Satan's control. When a person is involved in war, they risk not only killing who they consider an enemy, whom they are commanded by Jesus to love-- but they also risk killing someone of their own faith, just because they happen to live in another country and because our nations leaders can't get along. Innocent people are always being killed, civilians who are not involved in the nations wars.

Is God ok with this? Can you picture Jesus going to war and killing anyone, especially innocent people, women & children. When any government wants or demands that you must go to war and possibly kill someone, then you say what the apostles said when told to stop preaching about Jesus. They said " we obey God as ruler rather than men"

Jesus said to not only love our enemies but to pray for them.

only in a time of war to stop violent aggressors

the commandment is not to murder not just kill

Ecclesiastes 3:1-10

Amplified Bible (AMP)

3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:

3:3 A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up

3:8 A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

they did not purposely say were going to kill civilians in WW2

the cities they bombed had factories that were producing war supplies for the nazi's efforts

Dresden had a major rail transport and communication centre, housing 110 factories and 50,000 workers in support of the German war effort.

japan had no christians there in WW2 and the germany population was not christian who picked up guns and fought for the nazi leadership

you should actually study history instead of making up things

The bible was written by men to control society. Plain and simple. It should never be okay for a human to take another human life, even if it is legislated such as the death penalty. We don't kill people because they are sick. Mental health issues are often illnesses. Many of the worse human atrocities committed were committed by people with mental health illness. They should be treated not murdered, by "good people."

Im a Christian and a Buddhist and I would say that it is never ok, except when you have to directly protect a loved one. When I say directly, I mean like of a guy was going to kill ur wife if you didnt kill him, as opposed to fighting in a war to 'protect' you wife.

I agree that governments go to war way too quickly. It is only right to kill someone is self defense whether that is militarily or civilian.

There,s a lot of good reasons to kill anyone whom disagrees with Our values and beliefs.Looking back in history I can give You numerous examples.Witchcraft,Sorcery,Blasphemy,are the obvious ones.Anything to do with Science or Astronomy .Anything that endangered the absolute supremacy of the Church. Just bothering Us on a bad day or saying something contrary to Out teachings are a few others.You keep asking these types of questions and You might be on our next list.Have a nice day.

Murder is not allowed in any case

Peter when he draw his weapon , to defend Jesus , Jesus told him to sheathe his weapon , because who live by the sword , die by the sword

Just because saying that someone is christian , doesn't make him one