These were the issued behavior guidelines about1400 BC when Moses brought them down from Mt. Sinai to the Israelites, according to legend. Apparently he hadn't read them carefully before he broke the tablets and had the sons of Levi slay 3000 of the flock for: constructing a calf of gold for idol worship , dancing and partying whilst Moses (1525 BC- 1445 BC, 80 years) was up in the hills speaking with God . . . its OK he had another set made later.
I am surprised that murder or killing was not mentioned in the Seven Deadly Sins issued much later in time (and shown on a previous post). Could it be that 1000 years later civilization had learned to respect life and needed no designated sin for killing or "murder"? I doubt it!
In fact even today in our times of enlightened minds (?) and history to guide us we still live primitive lives with borders, tribal hatreds, the need for retribution, religious' separation and "my god is better than your god" nonsense ; we still have not learned and I suspect will not. Although now most of the killing seems to be sponsored by places of military and political power. But be careful -- if you are caught up in that power and singled out by that to engage in their killing and refuse, you may be shackled to a chair in the Company dayroom for 8 hours, made fun of and ridiculed, and ordered to assemble and sign pages of testimony and evidence , including backup paper from church ,neighbors, and friends, indicating your truthfulness and honesty. So for I it was kind of an "opt out" deal rather than "opt in" as exists with the government today.
I really hate to be an outlier --much easier and safer to fit within the smooth confines of the bell curve. But I cannot abide being pushed around and I will not be told how to believe --"godless communists" notwithstanding.
What official requirement or personal situation would convince you to kill another human being?
Thought provoking, goatman.
ReplyDeleteMy kids. I'd kill for my children if someone hurt them badly (rape, molest, murder). I'd be a tigress on the hunt with no mercy.
I think we all have to look within and acknowledge our 'shadow selves' before we can really make serious changes. You know, confront the murderer that lies within your own heart.
I know I have that capability and it is frightening. I pray I will never have to confront her, the tigress.
xxx
To protect my family.
ReplyDeleteCertainly not at the whim of some ambitious politician.
And never for patriotism.
Interesting that both commentators mentioned their children/ family. Which I suppose is as close to truth as possible in a hypothetical situation. I wonder how much also depends on sheer physicality. I remember walking home at night with my girlfriend when we used to live in East Ham, this beaten-down East London suburb. Ghetto-caricatures all around, knife-crime, rape,the shizzle. Every night, safely home, I'd beat myself up with the shame of knowing that if some tough guy stepped up and asked for her purse, I'd probably have run. And I was really into this chick. I'd probably have drunk myself to death if something happened to her, but I doubt I'd have stood up and fought. Much easier to imagine killing someone in self-defence than for somebody else, though admittedly I've never been through the wringer of parenthood.
ReplyDeleteI just cannot imagine killing someone!
ReplyDeleteI could never justify it!
Great post!
Oh Goatman, I couldn't have said it any better. We have to "release" how we feel one way or another..and your way was an "excellent" writing way.
ReplyDeleteStand true to your beliefs...even though it is hard at times as we watch all this "chaos" in this crazy country and world of ours.
New year of the Dragon started on Jan. 23rd...and instead of the Dragon breathing out fire, I am meditating on the dragon "blowing out" all the fires and chaos in the world...and for this year...it's more than "past" time to move on and get our act together.
Thank you again so much for this post. You spoke so true and everything you wrote I totally agree...I just couldn't write it in such a true and profound way as you did.
Well done my friend.
Peace, Love, Joy and Blessings for this world.
Rhi
There was someone who contributed to the death of one of my daughters. I wanted to kill him, thought I could, thought I could hire someone else to do it, thought, and thought, and thought. In my mind, retribution was the only answer. For a long time.
ReplyDeleteI didn't of course. I forgave him long ago and it feels so much better. If I killed someone, I would have to live with it and I know I couldn't.
Very thoughtful post, Lyle, thank you! xx
Its a tough call, depending upon one's spiritual development-- not religion --- I guess. And conscience must enter in there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteContinuing of the species seems to be a strong incentive, which may be a genetic requirement. And taken just on the personal level may preclude foreign wars.
Hi, I appreciate your visit to my Passionate Fiction and your comment.
ReplyDeleteBetter to be on the outer edge than caught in the madness that civilization continues to aspire to. However, how difficult is it to not buy into the world's BS!
regards,
Eaton