(From a Facebook friend):
When it is put that way, many people would probably reply ‘never’, but if
pressed most of us will actually acknowledge circumstances where legally
sanctioned killing is acceptable. There is something of a continuum of
circumstances in this issue which might help to focus your own thoughts.
Where do you draw the line?
– In defence of your own or another person’s life.
– In defence of your own or another person’s property.
– In defence of your own nation as a member of the armed forces.
– In another country whilst serving the interests of your nation as a
member of the armed forces.
– By security forces/police in the line of duty whilst apprehending a
violent criminal or an alleged terrorist.
– The death penalty for treason.
– The death penalty for serious crimes such as murder.
– The death penaly for recidivist sex offenders.
– The death penalty for crimes against person or property.
– The death penalty for crimes such as blasphemy and adultery.
– Passive euthanasia – turning off the machines keeping someone alive
when there is no reasonable prospect of ongoing independent life.
– Active euthanasia – taking action to end the life of a person who is
old/sick/in extreme and untreatable pain.
– Assisted suicide of someone who does not want to go on living, for
whatever reason.
– Abortion to avoid life threatening complications to mother or child.
– Abortion because a child is unwanted or inconvenient.
– Infanticide of a child born with a serious medical condition which
would severely limit the quality of life of the child and/or the parents.
I doubt that any people would say that all of the above are acceptable, and
I doubt that any people would say that all of them are unacceptable.
When is legally sanctioned killing acceptable to you?
And does your faith make a difference to how you answer the question?
Discussion
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