God said, "Thou shalt not kill" - does the theft of a…
““God said, "Thou shalt not kill" - does the theft of a little money make it quite all right for us to do so? If it's said that this commandment applies only to illegal killing, what's to prevent human beings from similarly agreeing among themselves to legalize certain types of rape, adultery, or perjury? Considering that God has forbidden us even to kill ourselves, can we really believe that purely human arrangements for the regulation of mutual slaughter are enough, without any divine authority, to exempt executioners from the sixth commandment? Isn't that like saying that this particular commandment has no more validity than human laws allow it? - in which case the principle can be extended indefinitely, until in all spheres of life human beings decide just how far God's commandments may conveniently be observed.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote questions how human‑made laws cannot replace divine moral authority, especially regarding life‑taking, and warns against relativizing commandments to human convenience.
In simple terms: Human laws can’t fully replace divine moral rules about killing.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of human law on moral issues.
Themes
ethics
authority
law
religion
morality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- judicial decisions
- legislative debates
- theological discussions
- personal moral choices
Key Concepts
divine commandment
human legalism
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can societies create universally binding moral rules without religion?
- What are the risks of treating divine commands as optional?
A Different Perspective
Human societies may develop strong ethical frameworks without divine reference, though consensus varies.