Can a Government commit murder?

[Toots]

Is murder only done by individuals or can it be officially condoned by a Government and if so does the Ten Commandments apply or is that only for individuals also. And what exactly is murder then? Could the death penalty be considered murder since it is premeditated or how about CIA assassinations on foreign leaders or "bad guys" such as Osama Bin Laden? I know Bush* changed the law so that we can now do such things. If it could be considered murder who actually would be the murderer, the trigger man or the person/s who issued the order/contract?

[Rush1184]

1. Yes.

[Rapcw]

2. It's called the death penalty n/t

[moobu2]

3. Yep and

Spreading freedom and liberty is known as invasion and occupation.
Intelligent design is known as creationism.
State sponsored murder is known as the death penalty.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

4. yes the death certificate of executed inmates lists cause of death as.....

"HOMICIDE" every last one of them do

[leftofthedial]

5. absolutely

It's not only a religious issue. A government can commit murder.

[Cleita]

6. I believe a precedent for genocide was established

in the Nuremberg trials in Germany after WWII. It was never considered cool to openly assassinate a political leader of a foreign group or nation, like Osama. It was believed every effort should be made to capture them alive put them on trial. Of course, we know that doesn't always happen. Yes, I think a nation can be made to face murder charges, however, in the case of the United States, I hope it is recognized that it isn't the whole nation but a certain, specific political party that is committing atrocities.

[yodermon]

7. What do you mean by "Can"?

Do you mean "Is able to", or "Allowed to"?
They certainly are able to commit murder, and frequently do.
As for being allowed to, well, there is no controlling legal authority higher than the gov't of the USA.

Some would argue (myself included) that all war is murder, as well.
try http://www.warismurder.com/

(oh look, that site is blocked by my company's firewall :puke: )

[Toots]

8. I guess basically it is all symantics

Like does guilt or innocence have anything to do with it. If a guilty person is put to death is that murder? If we the people are our government then are we the people also guilty of breaking the Commandment "Thou shall not kill (commit murder as some insist the true meaning is)" How do I protect myself from going to hell because the Commandment is broken in my name? I don't want to go to hell. :cry:

[Fleshdancer]

9. Can? yes. Should? no. n/t