Killing a thief

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

A post was made in another thread which claimed it was alright to kill a thief in your home. The passage used to support the view was from the OT Law.

What do you think? Should a Christian kill someone who is stealing their television?

 

[Marcia]

Originally posted by C4K:
A post was made in another thread which claimed it was alright to kill a thief in your home. The passage used to support the view was from the OT Law.

What do you think? Should a Christian kill someone who is stealing their television?

Actually, it is against the law to kill someone for taking property. Even if the person is armed, if they do not aim their gun or try to kill you, it is against the law to shoot them unless they are trying to shoot you. Professional burglars are usually not armed.

From Ex 22:2-4:

If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account.
3 "But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4 "If what he stole is actually found alive in his possession, whether an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.

These were specific laws given to Israel. If the thief survives, he must make restitution - he is not killed, whereas in other cases God told them to kill people for all kinds of things.

 

[MsGuidedAngel]

Dear C4K,

I have seen this posted on another Forum.

Blessings, \o/

KristiAnn

 

[PastorGreg]

I don't know about VA, Marcia, but it is not against the law in Wisconsin.

 

[natters]

I would not kill a person for stealing my television, no. In fact, I'd offer him my VCR as well. Exo 22 is basically "an eye for an eye" kind of stuff, but Jesus changed the rules in Matt 5:38ff.

Note that Exodus 22 also alright to kill a witch, someone that lay with an animal, and someone that sacrificed to another God. This last one has been the justification of many holy wars and the murder of those of different religious systems.

If Exodus 22:2 is instruction for us today, why not Exodus 22:20?

 

[Marcia]

Originally posted by PastorGreg:
I don't know about VA, Marcia, but it is not against the law in Wisconsin.

I'm surprised to hear this. Are you sure no charges would be brought against someone for killing somebody who was stealing your tv? I was pretty sure that was against the law in all states. I think manslaughter (or the equivalent) charges would be brought against the person.

The only time charges are not brought against someone killing someone else are for self-defense or accidental shooting, as far as I know.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Originally posted by PastorGreg:
I don't know about VA, Marcia, but it is not against the law in Wisconsin.

The question is not legality here - should a Christian kill a thief who is stealing his television?

 

[Marcia]

No, I do not think so. Killing a person is a serious matter and should only be done if necessary during war and to defend life, not property.

 

[JGrubbs]

Originally posted by Marcia:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by PastorGreg:
I don't know about VA, Marcia, but it is not against the law in Wisconsin.

I'm surprised to hear this. Are you sure no charges would be brought against someone for killing somebody who was stealing your tv? I was pretty sure that was against the law in all states. I think manslaughter (or the equivalent) charges would be brought against the person.

The only time charges are not brought against someone killing someone else are for self-defense or accidental shooting, as far as I know. </font>[/QUOTE]That is not true, unless maybe they are stealing the television off your front porch. If someone breaks into your house then you have the right to use what ever force needed to stop them. The fact that they are breaking into a home that they know has people inside, would likely mean that they have no respect to the lives of the people inside, and could be a threat to them.

If it's 2AM and dark, and I see a person in my living room trying to steal my television, I am not going to wait to see if they have a gun or a screwdriver in their hand, I will shoot to protect my family. You never know if the television is all they came for.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Not me, let them have the television. I don't think I could spend the rest of my life knowing I killed a person over a TV.

What if it turned out to be a kid?

About a year ago someone stole my mobile phone, wallet, and a digital camera. If I had caught them, should I have killed them?

 

[JGrubbs]

Did they break into your home and steal them while you were in bed asleep?

If I hear a noise at 2AM, do I approch the person who broke into my home, and ask them if they are only stealing the television?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Apparently came in an unlocked back door.

 

[Charles Meadows]

I have a wife and 3 little kids at home so I think I'd be pretty scared if someone broke in. If I lived alon I'd probably just run out the door. I agree with C4K that no possession is worth a person's life. That being said, any intruder in my house will be looking down the barrel of a .44 Magnum revolver. Since I have children I would feel justified shooting an intruder if there were ANY question as to whether he was armed or had intent to harm my family.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I appreciate the disclaimer. I strongly suspect that the thief was a 14 year old neighbour who had been to a teen outreach that night.

If I had had a gun, I don't think I would have shot first and asked questions later.

Can you imagine shooting first and seeing who I had killed later?

 

[Comrade]

I believe if you are defending your personal possessions and so on it is all right. If the thief is caught later then he or she shouldn't be put to death but it is your stuff and your property so I believe we have the right to defend it.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Wow! Even at the cost of a child's life.

None of my stuff is worth that.

 

[Comrade]

If you don't know who it is and can't see them. I would have to say It is a right. But shooting someone doesn't always kill them.

 

[Charles Meadows]

What would Jesus have done if someone came into his stone abode and was trying to steal his sandals and his carpenter tools. Would he grab Simon Peter's sword and kill him?

Not likely. No MATERIAL POSSESSION is worth a human life.

Unfortunately today alot of burglars (at least here in West Virginia) are looking for guns and money so they can get more Oxycontin or methamphetamine. Some of these guys ARE crazy.

I would say that if I felt that any of my children's lives (or mine or my wife's) were endangered I'd shoot the guy. But boy what an awful feeling that would be!!!

 

[StefanM]

What about firing a warning shot?

 

[GrannyGumbo]

Heard of a preacher once, who came home suddenly & *stopped* a thief approaching his bedroom, where his lovely wife & baby were sleeping.

As awful as I would feel killing a "young" man, I think I'd feel worse if that crazed teen were to rape my grandaughter.