To the Editor:
In response to Waldoboro’s Ray Perkins Feb. 6 letter, I gathered he is someone against killing and must be a pacifist. Pacifists do not believe in killing and become conscientious objectors to war, and capital punishment. Many are vegetarians or vegans and don’t eat meat.
My father was a pacifist, but could never give up on eating meat. It is not an easy stand to take as the majority of people favor permitted exceptions for killing, including hunting, food, and self-defense.
In terms of the title to Perkins’ letter, I do my best to never put words in God’s mouth. Humans are so below the food chain in understanding that to dare to put words in the mouth of God is highly presumptuous.
Biblically the words are simple, “Thou shall not kill.” In our limited scope of understanding, no matter how often we read scriptures – we and theologians have disagreements as to interpretation. I am not a theologian, but I work very hard not to put words in God’s mouth as Perkins’ title does.
There are other differences in society as to when life begins. Biblically it begins with our first breath – a gift of life from God. Biblically, it is also not our job to judge the morality of a person – that belongs to God, who sees the heart. We do judge acts of a person, but even in our human courts there are mitigating circumstances.
We are blessed to be in a country that permits different religious views and practices and that we have the freedom to express those views. When we find ourselves to be in the minority on a belief, such as pacifism, then we pray that God works with the souls who still believe in capital punishment and the killing of innocent in war.
While there were a number of inaccurate facts in the letter – a quick look at FactCheck.org will set those straight. More important for this responder is the avoidance of putting words in God’s mouth, and to hope the sense of personal angst will be calmed through prayer.
