Decalogue Paper The fifth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” is believed to make a direct reference to unprovoked, pre-meditated killing of a human by a human, or murder. The word “kill” is translated from the Hebrew word Ratsach, to murder, slay or kill.1 This is not to be confused with manslaughter, acts of war, or self defense. Not only is murder considered an offense towards God but anything that may lead to murder is forbidden as well. Martin Luther explains in the large catechism that acts leading to murder include but are not limited to physical or verbal assault, and advising the harm of another person.2 The fifth commandment is meant to provide a governing law within communities and put an emphasis on the idea that neighbors, as
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This has led to social programs that care for homeless populations, provide humanitarian aid to refugees of war, and opening of hospitals around the world. Caring for the weak and sick is a deeply rooted philosophy among the Christian faith. From the beginning Jesus taught His followers how to care for the sick and went as far as to charge his Apostles with the responsibilities of healing those who were ill. It was commonplace for priests and other holy figures to provide medical care for their communities before hospitals were prevalent. Hospitals were present in many ancient cultures but the acceptance of Christianity drove the expansion of hospital care to further reaches of the world. Whether or not St. Zoticus in Constantinople or the Christians in East founded the first Christian hospital is still under dispute, but it provides evidence that caring for all denominations of people has been an aspect of Christianity since it's …show more content…
Children in the 21st century are exposed to violence at younger age than ever before. Though it is shocking, it is not surprising that I have seen reports of murder within my community becoming more common every year. I have always interpreted “Thou shalt not kill” as one should not harm another living creature unless necessary. This means that it is morally wrong to hurt an animal unless you mean to kill it for food and it is morally wrong to hurt any human being unless out of self-defense. I had never associated the fifth commandment to issues such as abortion, the death penalty, or the right to die act. I personally feel that human beings are autonomous and no one has a right to tell them how to treat their own bodies or lead their lives, as long as they do not harm anyone else. I have wrestled with the moralities of these issues for much of my adult life, but upon researching the origins of the opposing arguments my philosophical wrestling match has become much more complicated than it used to
This has led to social programs that care for homeless populations, provide humanitarian aid to refugees of war, and opening of hospitals around the world. Caring for the weak and sick is a deeply rooted philosophy among the Christian faith. From the beginning Jesus taught His followers how to care for the sick and went as far as to charge his Apostles with the responsibilities of healing those who were ill. It was commonplace for priests and other holy figures to provide medical care for their communities before hospitals were prevalent. Hospitals were present in many ancient cultures but the acceptance of Christianity drove the expansion of hospital care to further reaches of the world. Whether or not St. Zoticus in Constantinople or the Christians in East founded the first Christian hospital is still under dispute, but it provides evidence that caring for all denominations of people has been an aspect of Christianity since it's …show more content…
Children in the 21st century are exposed to violence at younger age than ever before. Though it is shocking, it is not surprising that I have seen reports of murder within my community becoming more common every year. I have always interpreted “Thou shalt not kill” as one should not harm another living creature unless necessary. This means that it is morally wrong to hurt an animal unless you mean to kill it for food and it is morally wrong to hurt any human being unless out of self-defense. I had never associated the fifth commandment to issues such as abortion, the death penalty, or the right to die act. I personally feel that human beings are autonomous and no one has a right to tell them how to treat their own bodies or lead their lives, as long as they do not harm anyone else. I have wrestled with the moralities of these issues for much of my adult life, but upon researching the origins of the opposing arguments my philosophical wrestling match has become much more complicated than it used to