We are all murderers.

[biteme]

Indirect killers. Anytime we spend our money on things we don't need, that money could have been donated to save a life. Do you accept this?

 

[biteme]

I do and I live with guilt because of it.

 

[nimbus]

no, i believe that we all have the right to pursue happiness, and that we should do so. if it's everyone's duty to devote all time and money to saving everybody else's life, then there's really no point in living.

 

[nimbus]

also i could kill for a cup of coffee right now

 

[biteme]

also i could kill for a cup of coffee right now

We were born into an advantageous position. It's all about what you believe and your values. So, I can't tell you that I'm right and you are wrong. Only what I believe. And I suffer from guilt because I know people die as an indirect result of my lack of action to do anything about it.

 

[digger]

If you're a vegetarian, you kill plants and eat them.

What does that make a humanitarian?

I can argue (with a straight face) that when I eat pork and carry a pigskin wallet, I am giving that pig a chance to participate in the human spiritual experience a little sooner than it would have otherwise. It wasn't going to live forever, no matter what -- neither am I.

I recognize both of those truths, and I am grateful as I make its meat part of myself, and cherish its memory in the feel of its skin, having chosen it to protect the sacred items that define my place in society, my identity and livelihood.

Religions have been based on less.

 

[biteme]

It's the human condition. The moral dilemnas that we are faced with on a daily basis. Yesterday was such a beautiful day and my fiancee and I had such a wonderful time together. I looked to the sky and thanked god and fought back tears. Sometimes, it's wonderful to be alive.

 

[nimbus]

We were born into an advantageous position. It's all about what you believe and your values. So, I can't tell you that I'm right and you are wrong. Only what I believe. And I suffer from guilt because I know people die as an indirect result of my lack of action to do anything about it.

personally i don't think you should feel guilty...but if you do, why don't you do something about it and give up more of your time and money to causes you feel are important. Then again who knows, maybe all your life experiences will eventually culminate into you doing something truly great for humanity

 

[GoldenDelicious]

Indirect killers. Anytime we spend our money on things we don't need, that money could have been donated to save a life. Do you accept this?

murder is not a passive process. therefore no.

 

[digger]

murder is not a passive process. therefore no.

Excellent answer.

The Biblical injunction was badly translated in the King James Version -- it is NOT "Thou shall not kill." A more accurate translation is "Do not murder."

Of course, that means you have to make the distinction that GD just did.