The good man that turned bad out of necessity

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markalan

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Some argue they will not kill to protect their children from being slaughtered in an evil attack ... and yet they are quite prepared to pay others to do it for them.
Pacifism is morally repugnant on so many levels.
 
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Matthias

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Some argue they will not kill to protect their children from being slaughtered in an evil attack ... and yet they are quite prepared to pay others to do it for them.
Pacifism is morally repugnant on so many levels.

I’ve addressed this recently in another thread.
 
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Riven

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One of the movie’s main characters, Shooter, fires a shotgun from a place of concealment as a warning and shouts, “Identify!” He wasn’t aiming at anyone.
Real life isn't a movie. Split second decisions have to be made. Just ask any police officer.
 

Matthias

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Real life isn't a movie.

The point is that a shotgun blast aimed in the sky protected him from two intruders. (In the movie, the intruders were his son and his basketball coach, neither of whom he recognized.)

Split second decisions have to be made. Just ask any police officer.

I worked with police officers from time to time for over 30 years. I’ve had the discussion with many of them.
 

markalan

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I protected my child, when she was still living under my roof, using non-lethal means.
What is your scriptural support for using "non-lethal means"?
Surely your understanding of Jesus and the apostles never using physical force to protect anyone, would prevent you from using physical force of any kind.
 

Matthias

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What is the figure in Australia @markalan?

I don’t know. AI Overview -

“Approximately 3.3% of Australians (roughly 1 in 30 people) hold a valid firearms license. While total civilian gun numbers have grown past 4 million due to population increases, individual license holders own an average of more than four firearms each, meaning a smaller percentage of the overall adult population owns a larger share of the weapons.

Ownership Statistics

• License Holders:
- 3.3% of the population.

• Total Registered Firearms: Over 4 million.

• Average per Owner: More than 4 guns per license holder.

• Allowed Reasons: Farming, hunting, spirt shooting, and collecting (self-defense is not a valid reason).”

How accurate is this information @markalan? Please correct anything which you believe is incorrect.
 
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Matthias

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What is your scriptural support for using "non-lethal means"?

The teaching and example of Jesus and the apostles.

Surely your understanding of Jesus and the apostles never using physical force to protect anyone, would prevent you from using physical force of any kind.

What physical force did they use?
 

Matthias

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Butter knives, spoons, and other assorted dull objects, that would cause minor irritation and abrasions. :gd

Did Jesus and the apostles use those items for that purpose?

We’ve already discussed why my appeal to the teaching and practice of Jesus and the apostles doesn’t persuade you.
 

markalan

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The teaching and example of Jesus and the apostles.

What physical force did they use?
Your understanding is that Jesus did not use any physical force, so what is your Scriptural support for you using non-lethal physical force.
 

Matthias

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Your understanding is that Jesus did not use any physical force, so what is your Scriptural support for you using non-lethal physical force.

I didn’t say that I would use any physical force. I haven’t used any non-lethal physical force. What I have said that is that I might.

In the thread I posted a link to for you, the Christian speaker in the video advocated “grappling”; grappling! I don’t see examples of Jesus and the apostles “grappling” with their enemies, nor teaching Jesus’ followers to do so. Still, it is a means that protects without causing harm.
 

markalan

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I didn’t say that I would use any physical force. I haven’t used any non-lethal physical force. What I have said that is that I might.
You linked to an article by Scot McKnight as a good explanation of pacifism
Scot said, "What about a person who invades your home? I’d use force to the point of not murdering him."

ETA: What is the scriptural support for that?
 
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Matthias

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You linked to an article by Scot McKnight as a good explanation of pacifism
Scot said, "What about a person who invades your home? I’d use force to the point of not murdering him."

Yes. Pacifism isn’t passivity - which is why the “you’re just going to stand there and do nothing” argument has no teeth - and what individual pacifists may choose to do is a wide range.
 

Matthias

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It doesn’t persuade you @Riven, but how did Jesus defend himself when he was threatened with physical violence? How did the apostles defend themselves when they were threatened with physical violence?

Why wouldn’t you defend yourself the way they did?
 

markalan

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Yes. Pacifism isn’t passivity - which is why the “you’re just going to stand there and do nothing” argument has no teeth - and what individual pacifists may choose to do is a wide range.
I would still like to know your scriptural support for the physical force you might use.
I cannot see how physical force of any kind is compatible with your understanding of Scripture.