How do you tell the difference between murder and, say, an execution?First, realize that a more correct translation is: “Thou shall not MURDER”. There is a big difference between killing and murdering.
The 5th Commandment refers to “unlawful killing”.How do you tell the difference between murder and, say, an execution?
I have to disagree with you there. Or suggest you define the termd “lawful” and “unlawful”.The 5th Commandment refers to “unlawful killing”.
An execution (capital punishment under the law) is not unlawful and so does not break the 5th Commandment.
By unlawful I mean premeditated murder or manslaughter and not capital punishment or killing during war.I have to disagree with you there. Or suggest you define the termd “lawful” and “unlawful”.
After all, abortion is lawful in the secular sense.
I think it is important to be clear what the Church teaches regarding the fifth commandment:
2261 Scripture specifies the prohibition contained in the fifth commandment: “Do not slay the innocent and the righteous.” The deliberate murder of an innocent person is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human being, to the golden rule, and to the holiness of the Creator. the law forbidding it is universally valid: it obliges each and everyone, always and everywhere.
I suggest looking at these links for the distinction between innocent persons and those who are not innocent (unjust aggressors, war, peace, capital punishment, etc):
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7Z.HTM
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P80.HTM
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P81.HTM
How do YOU tell the difference? Or are you saying you cannot tell the difference?How do you tell the difference between murder and, say, an execution?
And (contrary to popular opinion) the Catholic Church does not categorically oppose capital punishment.An execution (capital punishment under the law) is not unlawful and so does not break the 5th Commandment.