'Unwilling' Sin

[Sune]

Recently I was watching a crime tv show, where a criminal abducted three girls and told them that two of them must kill the other to survive. After a long period of refusal and fear, one girl eventually killed another, and they were released. This made me think, in such a situation would the murder be seen as understandable given that they were unwilling? Or should a Christian just trust that God will save them and refuse? Or sacrifice themselves? I'm not saying that the action would be right, just that I wonder if the girls in this hypothetical situation ought to be considered as full-fledged murderers. I also understand that there might not be an obvious answer. This seems to be a common theme in some stories today, of people doing unpleasant things in order to survive...

 

[Monksailor]

It would seem to me that if one is really unwilling they will NOT do it. They will accept whatever consequences as a result.

 

[Heavenhome]

As a Christian killing is sin.

I know there is the argument in the case of self defense but even then you can wound and disable the person without killing.

The scenario put forward whether unwilling or not, the person would still be making the choice to kill.
If the scenario was would you let yourself be. Killed to save the other two, puts a whole new spin on it again...

 

[chevyontheriver]

Recently I was watching a crime tv show, where a criminal abducted three girls and told them that two of them must kill the other to survive. After a long period of refusal and fear, one girl eventually killed another, and they were released. This made me think, in such a situation would the murder be seen as understandable given that they were unwilling? Or should a Christian just trust that God will save them and refuse? Or sacrifice themselves? I'm not saying that the action would be right, just that I wonder if the girls in this hypothetical situation ought to be considered as full-fledged murderers. I also understand that there might not be an obvious answer. This seems to be a common theme in some stories today, of people doing unpleasant things in order to survive...

The catechism of the Catholic Church indicates in paragraph 1859 that a mortal sin requires complete consent. These girls were coerced, so while there may be some element of sin in what they did it would not be a damnable sin. God would have to sort it out because we cannot know for sure what is in the heart of the coerced person. In like manner, in the legal system it would most likely not be first degree murder, although it might be manslaughter on their part. A jury would have to deliberate on it. The person who set up the situation could and should be charged with first degree murder for setting it up. And I would not want to be that person meeting God.

Better, although maybe too heroic for them, to refuse. That would have made them martyrs.

 

[doctorwho29]

As a Christian killing is sin.

I know there is the argument in the case of self defense but even then you can wound and disable the person without killing.

The scenario put forward whether unwilling or not, the person would still be making the choice to kill.
If the scenario was would you let yourself be. Killed to save the other two, puts a whole new spin on it again...

Technically it's "thou shall not commit murder" not thou shall not kill. God commands people to kill several times in the Old Testament and God does not ask people to sin according to the book of James (and other sources).

Besides, even if one does sin, even in the worst way, there is always grace. Not that we should ever treat sin lightly but it's never the end of the world

 

[Junia]

I don't know what I'd do in that situation. If incapacitating the hostAge keeper and escaping not options

I would either kill myself or wait for God to deliver me

But knowing me my mind would snap with fear so hard to tell what to do

Whatever I did, if I did snap and kill, I would be very dependent before God and receive His mercy grate fully

Wouldn't be likely I would sin again in that way...so a case.of repenting and sinning no more

 

[Heavenhome]

Technically it's "thou shall not commit murder" not thou shall not kill. God commands people to kill several times in the Old Testament and God does not ask people to sin according to the book of James (and other sources).

Besides, even if one does sin, even in the worst way, there is always grace. Not that we should ever treat sin lightly but it's never the end of the world

Yes but I'm not talking about God commanding this, the OP was talking about a person being told by another to kill someone. A very different thing.

 

[Heavenhome]

Technically it's "thou shall not commit murder" not thou shall not kill. God commands people to kill several times in the Old Testament and God does not ask people to sin according to the book of James (and other sources).

Besides, even if one does sin, even in the worst way, there is always grace. Not that we should ever treat sin lightly but it's never the end of the world

My Bible specifically says, I quote Exodus 20:13

Thou shalt not kill.

Good enough for me.

 

[doctorwho29]

My Bible specifically says, I quote Exodus 20:13

Thou shalt not kill.

Good enough for me.

And other translations say murder. The original Hebrew better translates to "murder."

 

[Sune]

Thank you all, I'm glad to hear your takes on this, I was just wondering because I felt the ethics presented were worth pondering.