Can killing be justified?

[sam13lfc]

Uh. Yes. It can.

 

[RadiusXd]

No, if there is a god then no matter why you killed someone you will do your turn in hell. Ending the life of another is horrid and to "justify" such an act is just an attempt to console the soul. The harsh reality is killing is killing, and those who kill, be it their job or some sick twisted reason, will burn in hell for the appropriated length of time. Cause it turns out hell isn't forever, you roast for a time, then once you have atoned, you go to heaven. (what do you know, god might not be such a dick after all.)

Try looking at it from a non-religious point of view.

Ok, no, there is no justification for taking anothers life unless you are truly ready for the consequences. Ending another persons life is wrong, this is my belief, not that of a religion, and that only a person who is really ready to do such a thing and realize that what they did was in fact murder, regardless of circumstance, is the only person who should. If you must kill to save your children do so, but do not think that you can do that and just move on, same goes with all things in life, be aware that what you are doing has consequences. Even a killer might have loved ones.

i think perhaps what he meant was to look at the problem without preconceptions or personal slant, especially those based on religious or otherwise "spiritual" beliefs.
or to refrase, Pretend that your spock.

 

[Jedoro]

Yes. I believe that everyone should be willing to cooperate and negotiate. Those who aren't should be removed so that those who are, can do so.

 

[C_sector]

You know that in Buddhism killing is justified to save more lives. Kill one to save a thousand. So if a 'way of life' like Buddhism can.....mumble.....mumble...

 

[Booze Zombie]

It doesn't need to be justified for it to happen.

 

[Ekonk]

Killing is never justified.

Especially when we're talking capital punishment, because what if with new evidence the poor sod that's already pushin' up daisies turns out to be innocent? Seriously, that would suck ass big time.

So if someone's just about to slit your throat, you wouldn't kill them?

That would be with the intent to save myself, not with the intent to murder him. If I go berserk and mash the guys face in, that would be hard to justify, considering the fact that I could have mashed his face in a little bit less and he would not be dead. Seriously, live and let live and hate his guts.

 

[Ekonk]

Killing is never justified.

Especially when we're talking capital punishment, because what if with new evidence the poor sod that's already pushin' up daisies turns out to be innocent? Seriously, that would suck ass big time.

So if someone's just about to slit your throat, you wouldn't kill them?

That would be with the intent to save myself, not with the intent to murder him. If I go berserk and mash the guys face in, that would be hard to justify, considering the fact that I could have mashed his face in a little bit less and he would not be dead. Seriously, live and let live and hate his guts.

I can't imagine you'll think so calmly when actually in the situation.

Me neither, but that still doesn't justify it.

 

[matrix guardian]

At the risk of being controversial, no. Killing someone else because you think they deserve it is not justifiable. Because the attitude that it is something you can justify is an incredibly dangerous attitude.

Human beings just aren't purely rational selfless actors. We're incredibly good rationalizers. And once you can accept "there are some people that it's OK to kill," it's hard to stop. Hey--we're on the internet, how long does it take some dumbass to compare someone they don't like to Hitler?

"If it would have been OK to kill Hitler, it's OK for me to kill this abortion doctor."
"If it would have been OK to kill Hitler, it's OK for me to kill this researcher who tests products on animals."
"If it would have been OK to kill Hitler. it's OK to kill that man who I think is beating his wife."
"If it would have been OK to kill Hitler, it's OK for me to kill this CEO of a polluting company."

OMG! This would give Glenn Beck a free pass to go on a serial killer rampage!

 

[Adamc-mh]

TBH in my opnion killing another human being is moraly wrong in any case

 

[Usurpurus]

Yes, murderers forfeit their right to live. I'm a right wing totalitarian so I support death penalty.

EDIT: If some people can 'give' rights (e.g. Human Rights) then why can't others take them ie the right to life.

 

[Kryzantine]

I support self defense, the death penalty and revenge killing. Just finished reading When the Sacred Ginmill Closes, which deals heavily with revenge killing near the end of the book. Fact is, some people are just scum and have it coming. America has lost the key virtue of respect, and anyone who does not demonstrate this virtue should be killed. In fact, the only way a police force, security force, military force, any protective organization functions is if people respect it enough to make every attempt to avoid said organization. Sometimes, they need to make examples out of people.

 

[Helimocopter]

there are situations in which killing might be justified, however each situation is different and making generalizations on this topic is kind of ignorant

 

[Jaranja]

Killing is never justified.

Especially when we're talking capital punishment, because what if with new evidence the poor sod that's already pushin' up daisies turns out to be innocent? Seriously, that would suck ass big time.

So if someone's just about to slit your throat, you wouldn't kill them?

That would be with the intent to save myself, not with the intent to murder him.

Oh, my mistake. I thought you said "Killing is never justified".

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Would you let Hitler live?

Well yes, yes I would. It's simply murder. In self defence, maybe, but it should be avoided at all costs. As Ghandi said "An eye for an eye make the whole world go blind".

 

[Hashime]

Yes, even in the catholic church it can be justified. It is only a sin to kill an innocent. If a man is attacking you or your family, killing them is not a sin, of course you should attempt to incapacitate them first. Another example would be if you were a captive of a sick group who gave you an ultimatum: Kill your father (who is also a captive) or 10 people die, if you do not decide they will all die including you. In this situation you are not free to choose and are not held responsible for the murder(s).

 

[Fearzone]

Easily.

Though whether the justification is a good one is the real question.

And, unlikely both parties directly involved would reach an agreement on it.

 

[jamescorck]

Only if it was either Hitler or somebody pointing a baby with a gun. Unless the baby is a zombie, in which case it is justified.

 

[Cody211282]

I have a nice little personal list of people I think its fine to kill: gangsters, dictators, child molesters, rapists, serial killers, cannibals, terrorists, and a few other groups, then again how is it justified to let any of these people live?