StG, if you don't want a discussion on your choice of beliefs or faith, then don't start a thread about your thoughts on being a Christian and wanting to join a police force where you may have a dilemma with killing someone!

Proxy, thanks for the vote of confidence, however I didn't think this thread was about abortion?

If there is a God then obviously he/she/it has no problems with the killing of unborn babies, because there are far more supposedly God-given miscarriages and stillbirths amongst the women of our world than there are abortions.

StG: Hi. I understand what you're saying I think and I basically agree with Rehctub on this issue.

It's a moral dilemma and IMO intent does matter. For example, if given the choice between taking care to save my soul and stopping someone from killing someone else, especially a child, I would use the most effective method available to me to stop the aggressor and worry about my own status later (You know, the first will be last and the last first sort of thinking).

A couple of additional thoughts:

I think the actual translation of 'Thou shalt not kill' has been determined to more properly be, 'Thou shalt not murder.' There is a bit on it and the finer points of translation if you scroll down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Commandments#Killing_or_murder

At least one of Jesus' adherents was a Roman Centurion. (Matthew 8:5-13)

You could always adopt the 'righteous vengeance' model of Christianity, as portrayed with deicious irony in the classic 1990s film 'Pulp Fiction':

<< The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee. >>

Great thread STG; I admire your intelligence for raising this and acknowledge in so doing, that you are assisting fellow Australians who may be entering law enforcement fields of work and/or already joined or held careers for quite a few years struggling with their spirituality/christianity component in relation to using guns.

I too am Christian and spiritual. My viewpoint is that my God, Jesus Christ Our Saviour, Our Lady my guardians [all upstairs] know and comprehend every little thought process zipping along
in my soul and mind, intuitively knowing the difference between when I intentionally although unnecessarily hurt another being or animal or creature, compared to when it is intentionally necessary to save someone else.

No different to that of any Christian/Spiritual police officer.

STG I agree with the person you spoke to over the phone.

'Intent' is the answer in relation to the Christian aspect regarding guns.

Dont take anything personally when you generously and kindly give of yourself/life on this Forum as we are all individuals and unique enjoying sharing our views and experiences which assists other readers; our wider communities. STG as you know, we all are individuals who interpret threads/subjects differently and at the same time, others' comments can be misinterpreted completely at times. I have done this and after re-reading posts realised.

After reading all of the responses to your wonderful thread I have to say that no-one has had a go at your Christian/Spiritual side.

The subject is Religion and guns. My interpretation of responses are that most have in actual fact agreed with the chap you had your conversation with. The type of intent is the key. People are including their own beliefs within their viewpoint not challenging your Christianity/spirituality in this thread.

A much needed thread in todays world and a loving Happy Easter to you STG. Please keep posting and contributing, I have enjoyed reading your contributions

Great thread STG; I admire your intelligence for raising this and acknowledge in so doing, that you are assisting fellow Australians who may be entering law enforcement fields of work and/or already joined or held careers for quite a few years struggling with their spirituality/christianity component in relation to using guns.

I too am Christian and spiritual. My viewpoint is that my God, Jesus Christ Our Saviour, Our Lady my guardians [all upstairs] know and comprehend every little thought process zipping along
in my soul and mind, intuitively knowing the difference between when I intentionally although unnecessarily hurt another being or animal or creature, compared to when it is intentionally necessary to save someone else.

No different to that of any Christian/Spiritual police officer.

STG I agree with the person you spoke to over the phone.

'Intent' is the answer in relation to the Christian aspect regarding guns.

Dont take anything personally when you generously and kindly give of yourself/life on this Forum as we are all individuals and unique enjoying sharing our views and experiences which assists other readers; our wider communities. We all interpret threads quite differently too when tired. I have done this and re-read threads and my contributions realising later that the author of a thread has stated an issue for enlightenment rather than seeking assurance or comments to debate.

However STG as you know, we all are individuals who interpret threads/subjects differently and at the same time, our comments are misinterpreted completely. After reading all of the responses to your wonderful thread I have to say that no-one has had a go at your Christian/Spiritual side.

The subject is Religion and guns. My interpretation of responses are that most have in actual fact agreed with the chap you had your conversation with. The type of intent is the key.

A much needed thread in todays world and a loving Happy Easter to you.

You are making the point about the type of 'intent' is how I interpreted your thread

StG

A police officer is only permitted to use his service pistol in restricted circumstances, essentially where there is an imminent lethal threat.

In this case it could be argued that the offender has made his decision to risk forfeiting his life and for your part as policeman on the spot you are required to preserve your own life and that of any others at risk. Therefore on both counts you are morally right, even considering the sanctity of life, in attempting to stop him (that is the goal of discharging your weapon, not the aim of killing) and to continue to do so until the threat is neutralised, when you would seek medical assistance for him.

If in aiming at the centre of body mass, which is the only alternative in trying to stop the onslaught of a determined lethal threat, your action results in the death of the assailant, then that is an unintended, although possible eventuality.

In the course of normal duties it would be rare for police to ever fire their service pistols and with a few exceptions all go through their career without ever firing their pistol in anger (so to speak). It was an honest and moral decision not to join up where you thought you might hesitate to use your pistol if required.

I really feel for police, because offenders are always cowards and would usually have the drop on police. Cops have a right not to be treated as objects of abuse, punching bags or targets and they have loved ones who want them home unharmed at the end of their shift too.

Hope that helped a bit.