I thought I might raise a reasonably recent personal internal discovery I had within myself last year.

Early last year I did a Justice Administration course via a Tafe which was the required 200 hours of Diploma level study before you can apply to join the Qld Police Service.

I don't consider myself a stereotypical Christian due to being fairly open minded, compared. But the fundamentals of my rules regarding life is treat others as you wish to be treated, and thou shalt not kill..

How does 'thou shalt not kill' fit into roles such as military and the police. My question for the universe was, if I'm volunteering to put myself into a position where the potential for using a weapon is VERY real, then am I not CREATING and inserting myself as a volunteer to cause harm to others...?

This question actually tore me up for months. I talked with people I respect and even AT THAT TIME I read a book about the youngest fella in Australia to make it in to the Australian SAS. He touched on the morals of killing. I wrote to him and thanked him for what his thoughts did for me and the difference he made in my life. He wrote back.

The answer was ... wait for it .... waaaaait ... 'Intent'.

What were my intentions for joining the Police Service?. My GENUINE intention for wanting to join was for personal growth and to make a positive difference in others lives.

As for the potential for taking lives, then it was about making right decisions based on personal judgement with preservation of life being foremost in my mind, and actions. The offender KNOWS the potential consequences of their actions and as a Police Officer they KNOW the tools you have at your disposal and the possible outcome of them threatening others lives.

The justification is about my intent, and theirs.

I DID simplify my answer for space.

I didn't end up joining for very different reasons.

STG, whether it be a police officer, a soldier, or a security guard, at least in the civilized, non-extreemist world, they have one thing in common, that is they do not intend to shoot people.

They will however shoot if threatend to either defend themselves, and or, to protect others and,their level of involvement and the extent to which they have to be threatened before shooting depends largely on both their 'role' and their 'situation' at the time.

I would go so far as to say that no police officer in Australia goes to work thinking they might just shoot somebody today.

I agree with rehctub. If these law enforcement personnel go into the job with a non-violent attitude and are respectful of the weapons and other people's lives, then so be it.

With respect to mixing Christian values with the need for carrying weapons in a law enforcement capacity, the Bible is full of examples of apparently God-condoned violence and killing, so it shouldn't be a problem.

If God was willing to allow the killing of all first-borne of Egyptians in order that they would let the Israelites go, then I am sure God would have no problem with killing others in self defense

Bit confused. Nothing I said relates to 'as opposed' to anyone else. I didn't, and wouldn't, suggest people without faith have a different intention to that of myself.

This is the LAST time I mention my faith online. Nowhere can you get a reasoned conversation about it. Just had a similar experience on my blog regarding Easter.

Enough's, enough. I'm FKN sick of defending myself over it.

suzeonline is right.
I've always admired her logic.
In the same manner that God was willing to allow the killing of all first-borne of Egyptians in order that they would let the Israelites go, our society sanctions the killing of the un-borne in order to let their mothers go on with what they were doing before their plans were interrupted.
No one should therefore have any problems with killing in self-defense as long as it is done with a non-violent and respectful attitude.

StG
May I say that it is a shame more people like you do not join the police forces. People who have a conscience, who would no doubt only wield their gun after careful consideration of all circumstances.

You obviously had your own reasons for not joining. I have never carried a gun but have worked with many who have and it comes with a big responsibility.