DMLJ: But, as long as one did not actually commit murder, all was well, and he could face the commandment, ‘Thou shalt not kill’ with equanimity and say to himself, ‘I have kept and fulfilled the law.’
Here is another area where "thou shall not covet" overlaps with another commandment. The command not to covet applies to the desires of the heart or will. In James 4, he says that the source of murders is that people desire things and can't satisfy the desire. Then they kill out of dissatisfaction or in order to get the thing they want.
Jesus here explains another aspect of the issue. Human beings only kill those whom they de-humanize first. Sometimes this is called a hardening of the heart. The hardening consists of keeping yourself from thinking of that person as human. I think our conscience teaches us that it is okay to kill non-humans to provide for needs. We kill insects when they infest our houses. We kill different animals for food or to protect ourselves and our property. But our conscience teaches us that we shouldn't kill other humans. They are to be treated in different ways. Conflict resolution is supposed to proceed through different processes. Of course there are exceptions to this. But when murder is committed, the first thing a person does is in some way think of the other person as less than human. It is a way to bypass the conscience and justify the action to your conscience after the fact.
Yes, we "other." They are animals, terrorists, ragheads, etc. Yes, there is a value in seeing groups; there is also a danger. In our society, this tool is used both ways, and in both ways to the detriment of a peaceful society.
Here is another area where "thou shall not covet" overlaps with another commandment. The command not to covet applies to the desires of the heart or will. In James 4, he says that the source of murders is that people desire things and can't satisfy the desire. Then they kill out of dissatisfaction or in order to get the thing they want.
Jesus here explains another aspect of the issue. Human beings only kill those whom they de-humanize first. Sometimes this is called a hardening of the heart. The hardening consists of keeping yourself from thinking of that person as human. I think our conscience teaches us that it is okay to kill non-humans to provide for needs. We kill insects when they infest our houses. We kill different animals for food or to protect ourselves and our property. But our conscience teaches us that we shouldn't kill other humans. They are to be treated in different ways. Conflict resolution is supposed to proceed through different processes. Of course there are exceptions to this. But when murder is committed, the first thing a person does is in some way think of the other person as less than human. It is a way to bypass the conscience and justify the action to your conscience after the fact.
https://thecrosssectionrmb.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-ethics-of-liberty-state.html
Yes, we "other." They are animals, terrorists, ragheads, etc. Yes, there is a value in seeing groups; there is also a danger. In our society, this tool is used both ways, and in both ways to the detriment of a peaceful society.