If you murder, rape and do other things you're implying, you very likely would've done that as a Christian, as well.
Actually, according to studies I've read, a lot of serial killers are actually Christian.
And still, that has nothing to do with it.
It's the psychological things that factor in the most. Abusive parents, alcoholic parents, lack of parents, high pressure as a child, extreme forms of bullying etc.
Originally Posted by: Rockmolder
That may be true. But the word "christian" means to be "christ like". And many people use that word as an excuse to do bad things. Just as many use other words to do bad things. As i have said before, God knows who is "using" it, and who really mean it and try to live by God's word.
In fact, in the Bible, there were people that accepted Christ after they had done MANY bad things in their lives, including to murder Christians for their beliefs. But Christ's death also covers what THEY did if they accept Him as their saviour after the horrible things they did.
There are people in prison that have done horrible things, then came to Christ after those things that I believe CAN be forgiven as well. That doesn't mean they get a "free pass" here, and they will have to pay by man's law for their transgressions. Of course ONLY God knows if they truely have repented or not, and HE is the ultimate judge of what is in their hearts.
It's not up to me to decide their fates. It's up to God.
Many have used their bad lives, like lack of parents, abuse and so on, as a "reason" to do bad things. But ultimately it is up to the individual to decide what THEY do. They alone are responsible for their actions. NOTHING makes it right to rape, murder, or commit other crimes against other innocent people.
I was horribly bullied throughout all my school years. I was beaten, called names, had my books knocked out of my hands every day in school. I had a "reason" to bring a gun to school and to kill my abusers. Did I do that? No.
One time I was followed home from school, and a bully that tormented me every day threw a block of ice that hit me in the back of the head, and knocking me down in a busy street in Milwaukee. I had "reason" to retaliate, but didn't.
Another time I was attacked in the school hallway by a kid that was a black belt in karate. He kicked me in the back of the head, nearly knocking me out.
I had many reasons to do things to these bad people. But I was responsible for my actions, and I didn't do anything back to him. Other then reporting him to the principle. He of course got mad for me turning him in. He aksed me "Did you report me?" I said "Yes! What else was I supposed to do? Fight you? We both know you would have killed me! You know karate!" He never hit me again.
I could have gone home, got one of my Dad's guns, and came back and killed him. I didn't of course.
Back then, bullying was "normal" and accepted it seems. Kids are lucky that today they at least can turn to someone for help.
Even so, many kids will kill bullys instead of walking away. Why? I think it's the mindset today, where if you "diss" me you will pay with your life for it. They don't teach that people are responsible for their actions, and that there are consequences for what you do.
Again, God has been taken out of the schools, and what has it accomplished? More unruly actions by young people.