The commandment is "Thou shalt not commit murder" NOT "Thou shalt not kill." There's a huge difference in those things.
So sorry to have this one wrong, I'm not that good in bible speeches <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
Don't worry, Galadriel <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Almost everyone gets it wrong - but the true meaning is lost with 'kill', as you see <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
thou shall not murder = you can kill as its legally not murder?
Murder is usually defined as unjustified killing. If you are forced to kill someone in defence of yourself or your family or loved ones, it is not murder.
Most religions allow for self defence <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
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Ubereil...
You are not entirely correct. The point of criminal law is that it exists as a covenant between the people and their rulers, that if we give up our right to revenge, they will exercise justice on our behalf.
Law should thus never be about revenge, but it should ALWAYS be about justice. If someone is ready for release after a couple of years mentally, it in no way expiates a crime that would carry a sentence of ten years.
Justice is for the victims and society as a whole as well as the guilty.
Of course, the number of politicians who realise that can be counted on the fingers of Captain Hook's hand, but that IS the idea <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
