War and killing, and then religion?

[Fear]

Just out of curiosity I'm posting this question, and I haven't worked through the complete bible YET.

Does war justify murdering another human being? - according to the bible (NT)?

Cause the thing I don't understand, someone else is ordering these soldiers to goto war for *a purpose*, would this purpose justify killing another human being? - more deeply -> if you don't believe in the purpose and you would kill another human being _ is it still justified? -> according to the bible?

Thanks!

[Az]

1. Read the OT

Its wall to wall war. And that is where the big 10 commandments come from. God has his people wiping out entire civilizations. Some of the actions taken against these people were atrocious. Killing all the men and forcing the women to bear their children was a common occurrence. It was good.

[Fear]

2. uhuh.....

[checks-n-balances]

3. Good question - no easy answer, at least not in the Bible...

Lots of things are not specifically spelled out in the Bible, hence the "Just War" theory that was hammered out by the church centuries later. Also, the idea of killing for self-defense wasn't mentioned as far as I know, but it's generally accepted now, of course. But I don't know if that idea was debated or originated with the early church.

As for your question about killing because you're following orders but it goes against your convictions (or feelings)... As far as I know, that isn't addressed either, because the right to differ and protest in situations like that probably had not been conceived of at that point in history.

Sorry, I'm not much help, but for some reason I thought you and everyone else would benefit from my ignorance anyway!