Bible Study Of Mice and Men.

[fResH]

Hello all.

This to me is a controversal topic, as my friend and I (Christian friend) were discussing this. If you did not happen to read this book, then please do so! It is very short and can be completed in an afternoon.

So in the end, when *spoilers* George is forced to murder Lennie because of the situation he was in, do you think murder is justified? Either way, Lennie is imcapable of taking care of himself, so was it right that George spared Lennie the pain and suffering he would go through if he remained alive?

So in general: Is murder ever justified in the eyes of God?

 

[Nocturnal_Principal_X]

So in general: Is murder ever justified in the eyes of God?

Murder is never justified but killing is. There is quite a difference between murder and killing. God for one ordered the killing of others in the Old Testament, but He never called for someone murdering another.

 

[ArtGuy]

Depends on how you define "murder". If you define it as any act of killing, then sometimes it's justifiable, because killing is sometimes a necessary evil. If you define it as an unjustified act of killing, as most people do, then it's always wrong, by definition. I suspect you're really asking if killing is ever okay, in which case, yes - sometimes it's unavoidable, such as during a time of war, or in self-defense. Also - and I'm in the minority here, I'm sure - I believe killing as an act of mercy is sometimes justifiable. This last one is probably the most applicable to your question, given the context of Of Mice and Men. Lenny's killing of George, I feel, was a justifiable act of compassion, as George would otherwise have been subjected to cruelty at the hands of authorities before being sentenced to death, anyway.

 

[ChristineES]

I always thought it was better for Lenny to die mercifully than being lynched. He would have died anyway, but the way George killed him was more humane.
This is a moral question: Mercy killing. Do you let someone suffer, or do you let them die in mercy.
It seems to be easy for cats and dogs. When my mother's scotty had dog leukemia, she had her put to sleep instead of leaving her to suffer. It was sad, because she loved that dog, the decision broke her heart.
But people: It is a question I don't want to answer.

 

[sehad]

This is a very sensitive subject and one of which I'm glad that I will not be the judge on that day. Personal belief, depends on the motive behind it. I've always been taught suicide is a straight shot to hell. Basically because suicide is murdering youself. But what if killing yourself saves others? John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". Does that mean in that case suicide is ok(ie, throwing yourself on a grenade, throwing yourself in front of a bus to knock a loved one out of the way)? It's my belief that it depends on what the motive is behind it.

 

[fResH]

Ok, how about this situation: You find out you only have 1 week to live, with absolutely no possible chance of a cure. And at the end of the 1 week, before your death, you will suffer agony.

Your depressed as ever, life seems darker, and your motive is to end your life now, and save yourself the excruciating pain.

How about there? In this case, I would go through the 1 week. Probably the 1 week would be just as painful as the end of the week. But there is always hope, and I believe the possibility that he would use ME for the greater good of the world, and to set an example.

 

[sehad]

I would like to say that I would go through the week. But as always, you can say what you WILL do but when you're put in that situation it's different. What you will do may change(seems that way with human nature). To me, that would be selfish to take your life and only for YOUR good. Just my opinion, and I'm not the judge.