Sanctity of Life - Part Three: Sacrifice

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** November 14th, 2011, 9:57 am

“I could save the world, and loose you.” – The Doctor

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” - Spock

We have talked about our right to sacrifice our own life to save another’s, but if what if the life being sacrificed isn’t yours? What if you must choose between two victims? Spiderman is forced with saving either the woman he loves or a bus load of children by a sadistic villain. Miraculously he saved both, outwitting the scenario. But what would you do in such a situation?

Another well known story is of a signal man, who’s son is playing on the tracks one day while his wife is gone. The train is coming, and if he doesn't switch the track it will run over a cliff and everyone on board will die. But if he does pull the switch the train will run over his son. It's a no-win situation. Can you kill thousands to save one life? Can you murder your son to save a train load of strangers?

Suppose your family is taken hostage by a hostile government, or a terrorist organization. Their goal involves the slaughter of hundreds of innocent people. Cooperation is unthinkable, for you can't be guilty for those people's deaths, but if you refuse you effect the death of your family. Self-defense is one thing, killing the man who's killing your family is defensible, but can you murder uninvolved, innocent, third party people to save your family?

What about allowing hostages to die? You can't let the bad guy just get away... but if you move against him he'll murder someone else. Someone will die sooner or later if he escapes, you argue, and if this one dies now it will be the last time he kills. Who are you to make such a decision?

Suppose you fire on an enemy aircraft knowing there are prisoners from your side on board? Can you justify those deaths? At what point can you decide that a human sacrifice is required for the greater good?

You are on your way to a nearby village with vital information that cannot be delayed. If your message does not reach them people will die. There will be a horrible slaughter. But on your way you see a young girl being attacked by robbers. If you leave her behind she will die, but if you stop your mission will fail. Can you consider her life a justifiable sacrifice? Can you ride on and do nothing for the sake of other lives?

<verse here>

How is standing by and letting someone die any different that being the one to actually perform the murder? Is the man who hires the assassin innocent because he did not hold the knife? Does it matter what your reason is if interfering could have saved her? Is there any reason strong enough to justify turning your back on an innocent person in need?

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** November 14th, 2011, 10:01 am

See the little note up there that says <verse here>? I need a verse there. I know there's a specific verse I want in Proverbs, or Romans, but at this point I'll take any verse that seems to apply. Help?

Whythawye · **Posted:** November 14th, 2011, 3:40 pm

It seems to me that it's hard to get a verse to fit there, since your article really doesn't say anything. It just asks a load of questions. Are you wanting a Scripture to answer the questions, or are you wanting a Scripture that will illustrate the questions further?

Aragorn · **Joined:** September 23rd, 2010, 3:42 pm **Posts:** 9085

Is this the passage from Proverbs that you mean, Katie?

Quote:

Pro 24:11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Pro 24:12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? and shall not He render to every man according to his works?

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** November 14th, 2011, 11:10 pm

The exact verse I'm looking for says something to the effect of the ones who stand by and do not protest when evil is done are approving by their silence and therefore equally guilty. It's a question verse, I think, like the one I used in my first article "Are you who judge guilty of the same thing also?" (Paraphrased... I can't never quote accurately.

)

That one might work, Jonathan.

Aragorn · **Joined:** September 23rd, 2010, 3:42 pm **Posts:** 9085

Vanya Katerina Jaynin wrote:

"Are you who judge guilty of the same thing also?"

I remembered a passage similar to that one in Romans.

Quote:

Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Rom 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Rom 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

I also thought of another passage that might apply, from Ezekiel:

Quote:

Eze 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Eze 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** November 15th, 2011, 12:10 am

The Romans one is the one I used in my first article.
The second one is good. I like that one.

*ponders*

Whythawye · **Posted:** November 15th, 2011, 4:05 am

I don't think the second one applies...

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** November 17th, 2011, 6:21 pm

Ackp! Today is Thursday!!! I had my days mixed up! Is this ready for posting?

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** November 17th, 2011, 7:46 pm

Sure, if you're ready for it. I thought maybe it was going after the Coloring Contest winners, which is why I didn't say anything.

*will simply survive without a verse*

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** November 18th, 2011, 6:15 pm

Oh, no! I was gonna have the coloring competition post Wednesday or today, that way it wouldn't interfere with you. Oh well, rats! No problem, we'll just post Saturday.

Will that work for you?

I’m gonna be so happy when Thanksgiving is gone, cause I intend to be back in action around here.

I miss being on top of things.

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** November 18th, 2011, 8:23 pm

I thought you said Thursday or Friday.
Whatever, Saturday it is.

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** November 18th, 2011, 11:43 pm

Sorry. Misunderstanding. No harm done.

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** November 19th, 2011, 10:49 am

It's up! http://www.holyworlds.org/blog/?p=657

Aragorn · **Joined:** September 23rd, 2010, 3:42 pm **Posts:** 9085

Thank you, Katie.

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** November 21st, 2011, 3:03 pm

This is now ready for archiving.

Sanctity of Life - Part Three: Sacrifice

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