Would it be wrong?

scottlittlefield17 · Post by **scottlittlefield17** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:07 pm

If a man was burning to death in a car with no way of getting him out in time. Would it be okay ethically for a bystander to shoot him? How about a police officer, and why or why not.

TXatheist · Post by **TXatheist** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:21 pm

scottlittlefield17 wrote:I would not shoot under any circumstances because I am a Christian. My rule is the Bible and it says not to kill, even in self defense never mind in this situation.

If this is the general consensus of Christians and I were burning to death in the street, I would rather be staring down the barrel of a gun held by a compassionate Atheist rather than staring a Christian praying with a bible in his hands.

Scotracer · Post by **Scotracer** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:53 pm

If I could be assured that shooting him would cause him less pain then yes, I would.

TXatheist · Post by **TXatheist** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:56 pm

Scotracer wrote:If I could be assured that shooting him would cause him less pain then yes, I would.

Unless I have misunderstood the scenario in the OP, that is in fact the case since the person burning has no chance of surviving.

The OP wrote:If a man was burning to death in a car with no way of getting him out in time.

puddleglum · Post by **puddleglum** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:25 pm

Suppose that instead of being in a burning car the man was being crucified. The presence of guards around the cross make it impossible for anyone to rescue him. You have a bow and arrow and are a good enough archer so that you could easily kill the man and end his suffering. (Guns hadn't yet been invented when crucifixion was being practiced.) You could easily end his physical suffering, but is this the only thing you need to take into consideration?

When Jesus was crucified there were two others crucified with him. At first both of them cursed Jesus for failing to rescue them. But one of them repented and Jesus told him that he would be in Paradise that very day. If someone had killed this criminal before he repented he would have spared him from part of his physical suffering but he would have ended up experiencing even greater suffering in Hell. In the case of the man in the burning car there is the possibility that his pain may serve as motivation for him to repent and trust in God.

Coyotero · Post by **Coyotero** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:52 pm

Samwise wrote: When Jesus was crucified there were two others crucified with him. At first both of them cursed Jesus for failing to rescue them. But one of them repented and Jesus told him that he would be in Paradise that very day. If someone had killed this criminal before he repented he would have spared him from part of his physical suffering but he would have ended up experiencing even greater suffering in Hell. In the case of the man in the burning car there is the possibility that his pain may serve as motivation for him to repent and trust in God.

A God that needs to resort to such barbarism and evil will get no allegiance from me.

The Gods of old tell us to seek out and crush evil and suffering through acts of heroism. What, I must wonder, are the motives of a God who demands we kneel and suffer?

scottlittlefield17 · Post by **scottlittlefield17** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:56 pm

If I understand samwise correctly he was not saying that God caused the fire. He was not saying that God made the fire so the man would serve him. As for the concept of hell, how do you feel that if you do not do what the government says they will send you to jail for the rest of your life. How can you serve a government that is so cruel as to even kill you if they feel you have done something they don't like?

Coyotero · Post by **Coyotero** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:03 pm

scottlittlefield17 wrote:If I understand samwise correctly he was not saying that God caused the fire. He was not saying that God made the fire so the man would serve him.

Then what is he saying? Sounds to me like he's saying that God is making the guy be immolated to death in an attempt to force a conversion by torture.If I've misread that, Samwise, then please clarify for me.

scottlittlefield17 wrote:As for the concept of hell, how do you feel that if you do not do what the government says they will send you to jail for the rest of your life. How can you serve a government that is so cruel as to even kill you if they feel you have done something they don't like?

Scott, if the government in your country is barbaric and cruel, you emigrate. Works for religion too.

scottlittlefield17 · Post by **scottlittlefield17** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:14 pm

All governments have rules. If you don't abide by those rules you get in trouble. How could we expect any less from God? What happens when you have a pet that turns violent? You kill it. What happens in Science fiction when the robots go bad? You blow them up. What happens when God's creation goes against what he says? You get punished. He give us plenty of chances. When you kill someone it does not matter how sorry you are or anything else, as long as their is evidence you go to jail or the the chair. When you sin you need to ask God to forgive you and as long as you are serous and try to do better he forgives you. How can you beat that?

Coyotero · Post by **Coyotero** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:22 pm

scottlittlefield17 wrote: When you kill someone it does not matter how sorry you are or anything else, as long as their is evidence you go to jail or the the chair. When you sin you need to ask God to forgive you and as long as you are serous and try to do better he forgives you. How can you beat that?

Scott, the difference is that I have proof that our government exists and is sovereign within the borders of my country. Your god offers no such proof. In fact, he has been completely silent to me while the Gods of old have called me in a scream louder than all the music. How can you beat that?

Debating Christianity and Religion

Would it be wrong?

If a man was burning to death in a car with no way of getting him out in time could he ethicly be shot?

Would it be wrong?