Tough Question for Religious Orientated People

[curtsibling]

OK, today I'm back with a new question!

And before we progress any further, I want to straighten a few things out.

1. I am not trolling. I have respect for my fellow posters here.

Just because I ask a question concerning faith does not mean I am
a heretic ogre trying to deprive innocent people of their precious views.

2. I am seriously interested in your answers, and do not appreciate spammers filling up my thread with silliness.

If you have a problem with the question, tell me.

If you cannot maintain a sensible attitude, then get mommy to sit you in your high chair to play, OK?

And if you want to go off topic and discuss the finer points, please start your own thread.

Now if you are up for it, here is a question!

If you are religious, and adhere to the ideas that suicide and murder is bad, how would you tackle this moral problem:

Scenario:
While on holiday, you and your loved ones (partner/family/etc) are taken kidnapped and captive by terrorists/criminals.
They give you the choice of either shooting your loved ones or yourself – What do you do?

You could be heroic, and try and shoot them, resulting in you and your loved ones being killed anyway.

But would that be murder?

And if forced to shoot yourself, is that still suicide?

How would you handle this situation?

Please answer as you see fit.

[Elok]

"Religious orientated"? Why, you ill-mannered bigot! I'm "jesus-hating impaired"!

This isn't that tough of a question by my estimation. Either option could represent a valid moral choice, as it is intent that matters more than physical consequence, at least by Orthodox doctrine. If you sincerely think you can peg the terrorists without them getting to your family first, it can be considered a form of self-defense IMO. And sacrificing your own life for the sake of others is not suicide in the forbidden sense, as it is not based on selfishness and spite. They're both very poor options, as in this scenario there is nothing to stop the "terrorists" from presenting the same choice to your loved ones one by one after you die. Just out of curiosity, what sort of goal do these terrorists have?

[Az]

I am not religious, but I have clear, consistent ethical values.

I try to release them, or call people who can try and release them, since committing suicide won't in no way guarantee their safety anyway.

[Atahualpa]

Keyser Soze

[General Ludd]

I use my charms to seduce them and convince them to set me free.

[Verto]

And if forced to shoot yourself, is that still suicide?

It depends on what your definition of is, is.

[JellyBean]

Not religious, but as Azazel says - with clear, consistent ethical values.

My choice: shoot as many of them as possible. Stop them from kidnapping anyone else in the future. They probably wouldn't have abided by the agreement anyway - kidnappers don't exactly have a sterling reputation in that respect.

Although - if I thought that they would abide by the precise words of the agreement above, I could shoot myself in the foot and claim that I'd fulfilled its terms.

[SlowwHand]

Is calling in a bombing run so ALL are killed an option?

[Sava]

I'd shoot the kidnappers

[Rogan Josh]

Why is this difficult decision only for religious people?

[SlowwHand]

Who knows? If you paid attention, Curt cared so much, he asked the question then left.

Another in a long line of troll threads, no matter his disclaimer.

[Akka]

Shoot them.
Each one of them down, is one that won't be able to do a terrorist act in the future, and several people kept alive.

I don't trust them to releas me nor my family.
And even if I would, I'm not going to give in to blackmail.

And if I was tied and unable to move, and so my family, and I was to choose if they would shoot them or me...

Me. I would not be able to live with the death of my family on my conscience.
And at least if they don't keep their word, I wouldn't know they have killed my family anyway.
And as a bonus, my family would not have heard me say "kill them so I can live".

[Japher]

If some guy jumped you an alley and wanted to rape you, would you let them or would you beat them off?



Me? For Curt's question? I'd tell 'em to F off and eat sheit and die you freakin' psycho!

I think they'd like that, as they are crazy too, declare me king and throw a feast in my honor.

What do I win?

[Sava]

Me? For Curt's question? I'd tell 'em to F off and eat sheit and die you freakin' psycho!

u'd whimper like a little biyatch

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Another in a long line of troll threads, no matter his disclaimer.

He gets a little peaved when you call him on that though.