Monday 21 June 2010

If idle hands are the devil's something, then busy hands must be something godly I presume... where does god stand on people busying their hands with

If idle hands are the devil's something, then busy hands must be something godly I presume... where does god stand on people busying their hands with murdering people?

^complete question^


'Idle hands are the devils tools' or 'the devil finds work for idle hands to do' are different versions of the same proverb that's been around since the time of Chaucer in the 12th century. There doesn't seem to be a 'busy hands are Godly' and 'though shalt not kill' is one of the 10 commandments & Christianity tends to take them more literally than some other religions. The Qur'an takes a slightly different line on it:

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter... But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful... If they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (2:190-193).

There is no almighty God in Buddhism. Buddhism does not call for an unquestionable blind faith by all Buddhist followers. It places heavy emphasis on self-reliance, self discipline and individual striving. The ultimate objective of followers is enlightenment and liberation from Samsara; rather than to go to a Heaven.
There is no holy war concept. Killing is breaking a key moral precept in Buddhism. One is strictly forbidden to kill another person. Maitri or Metta in Pali (Loving Kindness) and Karuna (Compassion) to all living beings including animals are most important. Buddhism strictly forbids animal sacrifice for whatever reason. Vegetarianism is recommended but not compulsory.

In the case of murder, the Torah carefully chose a word different from “kill.” Only murder is prohibited, not generic killing. Murder is a passionate act, while killing is a thing of necessity or justice. There are no restrictions on killing enemies and criminals. Like the rest of the Ten Commandments, the prohibition of (passionate) murder only applies in the Jewish environment.

So that's the opinions of four of the main religions as far as I can tell, they all differ slightly & I suppose it'd depend on which one you went for as to whether you'd get away with it or not. This is only in the eyes of the Gods though...the long arm of the law takes an entirely different stance on it of course.

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