interpretation

every time a quote from the bible pops up on here there seem to be several different interpretations of what it means. this has always caused me problems, surly a being intelligent enough to create the universe would also be able to spread its message in a clear way that can not be corrupted or misinterpreted.
do christians think that much of the bibles meanings are ambiguous on purpose? for example "thou shalt not kill" and "thou shalt not murder" two translations neither which have clarity in their meaning. has god made them vague so they can be flexible to fit many societies and their attitude towards killing.

Originally posted by stellspalfie
every time a quote from the bible pops up on here there seem to be several different interpretations of what it means. this has always caused me problems, surly a being intelligent enough to create the universe would also be able to spread its message in a clear way that can not be corrupted or misinterpreted.
do christians think that much of the bible ...[text shortened]... them vague so they can be flexible to fit many societies and their attitude towards killing.

It is mistranslated and misinterpreted due to man's lack of knowledge and not
due to any shortcomings of God. It is clear from reading the whole of scripture
that the verse you refer to does not prohibit all types of killings. So we know
that it can not be "thou shall not kill" but must be "thou shall not murder".

Originally posted by RJHinds
It is mistranslated and misinterpreted due to man's lack of knowledge and not
due to any shortcomings of God. It is clear from reading the whole of scripture
that the verse you refer to does not prohibit all types of killings. So we know
that it can not be "thou shall not kill" but must be "thou shall not murder".

"thou shall not murder" is also extremely vague. it does not clarify what god classifies as 'murder'. humans struggle to decide what constitutes as murder, juries have to be gathered to go over and over cases to decide if its 'murder' an more often than not can not all agree.
so how does a christian know what is a murder in gods eyes? do christians believe that the ambiguity is there on purpose?

Originally posted by stellspalfie
"thou shall not murder" is also extremely vague. it does not clarify what god classifies as 'murder'. humans struggle to decide what constitutes as murder, juries have to be gathered to go over and over cases to decide if its 'murder' an more often than not can not all agree.
so how does a christian know what is a murder in gods eyes? do christians believe that the ambiguity is there on purpose?

If you go by the Golden Rule, which Christ says all the laws are based, then things become a little more clearer.

So don't kill if you don't want to be killed. However, if you do kill don't be surprised if someone tries to kill you.

Originally posted by whodey
If you go by the Golden Rule, which Christ says all the laws are based, then things become a little more clearer.

So don't kill if you don't want to be killed. However, if you do kill don't be surprised if someone tries to kill you.

I don't want a bomb dropped on me.

Therefore I should not fly a plane over a foreign country and drop a bomb on others.

Originally posted by whodey
If you go by the Golden Rule, which Christ says all the laws are based, then things become a little more clearer.

So don't kill if you don't want to be killed. However, if you do kill don't be surprised if someone tries to kill you.

'the golden rule' a good example of more vague rules in the bible. it offers no clarity, i would say its worse then the 'thou shall not murder' rule. it opens up all kinds of questions on how we can behave towards other people.

Originally posted by whodey
If you go by the Golden Rule, which Christ says all the laws are based, then things become a little more clearer.

So don't kill if you don't want to be killed. However, if you do kill don't be surprised if someone tries to kill you.

So suicide bombers are adhering to the 'Golden Rule' then? What about abortion and assisting in voluntary Euthanasia these are not classed as murder in some legal systems but many Christians are adamant that they are just that. Any help from the bible on this.

Originally posted by stellspalfie
"thou shall not murder" is also extremely vague. it does not clarify what god classifies as 'murder'. humans struggle to decide what constitutes as murder, juries have to be gathered to go over and over cases to decide if its 'murder' an more often than not can not all agree.
so how does a christian know what is a murder in gods eyes? do christians believe that the ambiguity is there on purpose?

I think we must use common sense to determine murder from self-defense and
accidents. God should not have to spell it all out in detail. By reason we should
know that killing an innocent person on purpose is murder. Therefore, the act
of abortion is murder.

Originally posted by RJHinds
I think we must use common sense to determine murder from self-defense and
accidents. God should not have to spell it all out in detail. By reason we should
know that killing an innocent person on purpose is murder. Therefore, the act
of abortion is murder.

you could pick 10 people at random and they would all give you different answers to what 'common sense' determines murder from self defense. the world is much more complex there are situations when it will be unclear where the line is.

if a soldier kills a civilian during a war is it murder?

Originally posted by RJHinds
By reason we should
know that killing an innocent person on purpose is murder. Therefore, the act
of abortion is murder.[/b]

if an innocent man is sentenced to death and given a lethal injection has he been murdered?

Originally posted by stellspalfie
you could pick 10 people at random and they would all give you different answers to what 'common sense' determines murder from self defense. the world is much more complex there are situations when it will be unclear where the line is.

if a soldier kills a civilian during a war is it murder?

No.

Originally posted by RJHinds
No.

if the soldier was al qaeda and it was on american soil would it be murder?

Originally posted by stellspalfie
if an innocent man is sentenced to death and given a lethal injection has he been murdered?

Only those that are found guilty by a judge and jury are sentenced to death in
the USA. Those found innocent are let go.

Originally posted by RJHinds
It is mistranslated and misinterpreted due to man's lack of knowledge and not
due to any shortcomings of God. It is clear from reading the whole of scripture
that the verse you refer to does not prohibit all types of killings. So we know
that it can not be "thou shall not kill" but must be "thou shall not murder".

I think the op point is that its obvious that some scripture has been misinterpreted and mistranslated. Couldn't God have been more clear? I'm sure some of these errors are made innocently.... an all mighty God could have communicated a bit better.

Although I guess this is another one of those things that go under his thoughts are not our thoughts.

Originally posted by RJHinds
Only those that are found guilty by a judge and jury are sentenced to death in
the USA. Those found innocent are let go.

ha, did you manage to type that with a straight face?