StG, Thanks for the apology (I think!).
I wasn't stereotyping you at all, but merely saying that according to the Bible, God does permit killing in certain extreme circumstances.
Isn't that true?

I am certain that the God depicted in the bible would not condemn you for killing in self defense or while protecting others.

Proxy, "< However your comment about miscarriages is nonsensical, otherwise your argument would have to extend to blaming God for all deaths by natural causes."

I was brought up to believe that God was responsible for everything that happens on this Earth. Was I taught the wrong thing?

You would have to ask StG whether a discussion on Islamic mythology would be helpful on this thread Proxy, it doesn't matter to me :)

But surely you brought old testament mythology into the thread suzeonline?
Therefore when you state that this thread is about religion and violence,
having cited what is also an Islamic myth,
you have already started a discussion on Islamic mythology, albeit unwittingly.
If this mythology doesn't matter to you,
why did you bring it up,
if not merely to bring StG down?
Otherwise, I don't see its relevance to StG's clear intent.

Ok Proxy, I'll bite.
Are you suggesting all the stories of the old testament are myths?
I am ok with that, but I also think that many stories in the new testament are myths as well.

I enjoyed reading the bible because they were good fiction stories, although maybe some of them could have been based on loose truths.

In any case, Jesus was not heard to debunk any of the stories told in the old testament was he?

If you think the new testament doesn't advocate violence, then you might want to check it out a little closer.

There are many websites dedicated to proving this- here's just one:
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/nt_list.html

Stg

From Suze:

>>> StG, Thanks for the apology (I think!). <<<

Ditto (I think).

Wish I got to see your deleted flame. ;)

Can't really add much to this thread as it is not about one's religion and carrying a weapon.

Refuse to be baited into an argument about abortion by Proxy - which is also not about religion and carrying a gun.

What else to say?

1. I did own a 22 once, shot a couple of rabbits - made rabbit stew. Don't enjoy killing but would do so to survive.

2. Not all people suspected by police as offenders are offenders - some get shot and are innocent.

Cornflower

A question for you. If CJ Morgan and I claimed the sky was blue on sunny days, would you argue it was green? Assuming you are not colour-blind and already think it is green.

CJ thanks, again, my little ray of sanity.

Severin,

Deleted?. All information is still there, I believe.

>>>"Not all people suspected by police as offenders are offenders - some get shot and are innocent."<<<

Of course, and that's something the officers have to live with. You'd hope and pray that doesn't happen but given the nature of firearms anything is possible.

My apology to you and suze was genuine.

I have always enjoyed Severin and JP Morgan for their very considered, articulate and well balanced comments on this forum. I have so often read opinions that place vituperative responses in these columns that reflect very conditioned and prejudiced attitudes that are uncalled for.

A thread will always tend to become slightly off-subject as it is discussed as other considerations come to light. Why is it that there is so much angst when this occurs? Just because this forum is anonymous is no reason to be rude. I mention this in defence of Suzeonline as a case in point when I thought she made a very salient point only to be shot down in flames. I too thought the original post was all about religious faith and killing.