[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Moses has just received a moral codex from God. It states that murder is not permitted.

The ten punishments also came from God. You are operating from a definition that the taking of human life constitutes murder. God obviously doesn't murder in those terms. A straw man argument.

[Pahuanui]

The ten punishments also came from God.

Let's not forget the ten boredoms as well.

God obviously doesn't murder in those terms.

Ah, so god murders in different terms. Got it. Righto.

[OWK]

You are operating from a definition that the taking of human life constitutes murder.

I am arguing from the position that the taking of life of an individual who has done no harm to you or anyone, is murder.

So when Joshua killed every woman and child in Ai, after having already conquered the city, he comitted murder.

Now the Old Testamaent tells us that Joshua did this at the command of God.

Of course the 9-11 hijackers told us the same thing.

[steve-b]

And Osama could (if he were still alive) cite chapter and verse from (what he asserts to be) the word of God to prove that his actions were not "murder". What of it?

[plusone]

I don't see your point. Moses ordered the killing of the 3000 levites, not God (at least according to that book of the Bible, which Moses wrote). I don't see how that is a strawman. And I have trouble seeing the difference between Moses and Osama. I"m sure in Osama"s twisted mind, he was following God's instruction by attacking the infidels. (At least the GOd as defined by their religion). My definition of murder is the purposeful taking of human life. (The exception is self defense when you are protecting yourself or your family). This is what Moses apparently did. And as one other poster pointed out, this wasn't the only occasion where Moses ordered the killing of non-combatants.