Murder-Suicide...Does God Ever Excuse Certain Sins?

HeavenlyOne · #1 03-02-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Couple found dead in their home

March 2, 2007

An elderly couple was found dead early this morning in the Boulder Hill subdivision in unincorporated Kendall County, in a possible murder-suicide, authorities said.

The couple -- Ann Landis, 90, and her husband Milton, 87 – both died of gunshot wounds, according to the Kendall Coroner’s Office.

The coroner said it appeared to be a case of murder-suicide. The Landises were found dead in their home in the 0-99 block of Garden Drive.

Sheriff’s deputies were on the scene until about 7 a.m. today. Sheriff’s officials would not comment on when they were discovered and by whom.
Neighbors said they were a very devoted couple, but that Milton often talked about concerns he had for his wife as his health started to fail.

This is not the first time I've heard of this happening among elderly couples. There was an elderly man a few years ago in a town I lived in who was placed on probation after killing his elderly wife who was bedridden. The law excused his crime because of his intent, and the urging of the family who understood why he did what he did.

I wonder if God, who is the only one who sees intent of the heart, excuses certain sins as well. The above story is an act of love, not a crime of passion or hate crime. Considering that the elderly, even though they are able to care for themselves, often don't have the same understanding they did when they were younger, might make certain decisions without thinking of the consequences.

I have no Bible and I doubt that anyone will, really. There are just too many variables to consider. I'm looking for the opinions of others on this matter.

Thoughts?

BrotherEastman · #2 03-02-2007, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

This is not the first time I've heard of this happening among elderly couples. There was an elderly man a few years ago in a town I lived in who was placed on probation after killing his elderly wife who was bedridden. The law excused his crime because of his intent, and the urging of the family who understood why he did what he did.

I wonder if God, who is the only one who sees intent of the heart, excuses certain sins as well. The above story is an act of love, not a crime of passion or hate crime. Considering that the elderly, even though they are able to care for themselves, often don't have the same understanding they did when they were younger, might make certain decisions without thinking of the consequences.

I have no Bible and I doubt that anyone will, really. There are just too many variables to consider. I'm looking for the opinions of others on this matter.

Thoughts?

I don't think I wanna touch this one, I will say this though.....I'm glad I'm not God.

HeavenlyOne · #3 03-02-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

I don't think I wanna touch this one, I will say this though.....I'm glad I'm not God.

I'm interested in opinions, since I don't believe the Bible touches on this exactly. Yes, we have commandments and such but there are even exceptions to some of those commandments as well.

QueenEsther · #4 03-07-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

I don't think I wanna touch this one, I will say this though.....I'm glad I'm not God.

AMen!!!

JN Anderson · #5 03-02-2007, 04:47 PM

Suicide is self-murder and is therefore impossible to gain repentance (because the transgressor is dead). Murder, with genuine repentance, can be repented of successfully. The key to repentance of any sin is that it be true or genuine, this involves a turning away from the former lifestyle of sin. Please bear in mind this is the opinon of scripture and not myself. If I was offering my opinion I would say we hang the perps.

Carpenter · #6 03-02-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabellius

Suicide is self-murder and is therefore impossible to gain repentance (because the transgressor is dead). Murder, with genuine repentance, can be repented of successfully. The key to repentance of any sin is that it be true or genuine, this involves a turning away from the former lifestyle of sin. Please bear in mind this is the opinon of scripture and not myself. If I was offering my opinion I would say we hang the perps.

Not everyone who makes an attempt dies when they initiate the act to kill themselves. Very few in fact die instantly, if I understand it correctly. Is there not an instant of regret or repentance upon the act of commiting suicide and before actually dying that could be meaningful?

hmmmmm....

HeavenlyOne · #7 03-02-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabellius

Suicide is self-murder and is therefore impossible to gain repentance (because the transgressor is dead). Murder, with genuine repentance, can be repented of successfully. The key to repentance of any sin is that it be true or genuine, this involves a turning away from the former lifestyle of sin. Please bear in mind this is the opinon of scripture and not myself. If I was offering my opinion I would say we hang the perps.

Sab, the story is about a 90 yr old woman and her 87 yr old husband. Without knowing anything else about their life other than his concern for his failing health (and I'm assuming he was her caregiver, thus the reason for his concern about his own failing health), how can you say 'hang the perps'?

To me, it's an act of love. I work with the elderly all the time and know the concerns of those who are no longer able to care for themselves. Put yourself in their place.

JN Anderson · #8 03-02-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

Sab, the story is about a 90 yr old woman and her 87 yr old husband. Without knowing anything else about their life other than his concern for his failing health (and I'm assuming he was her caregiver, thus the reason for his concern about his own failing health), how can you say 'hang the perps'?

To me, it's an act of love. I work with the elderly all the time and know the concerns of those who are no longer able to care for themselves. Put yourself in their place.

I was considering the potentiality of murder being involved. I thought there was still some speculation. Sorry if there was not.

HeavenlyOne · #9 03-02-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabellius

I was considering the potentiality of murder being involved. I thought there was still some speculation. Sorry if there was not.

I suppose it's possible but considering his statements to others about his own failing health, I read into that statement that his actions were out of concern, not malice, toward his wife and himself.

berkeley · #10 03-02-2007, 04:55 PM

I'd like to take into consideration the state of mind that the person is in. I doubt that anyone with a shred of sanity would take their own life. Then I'd have to consider why the person is in the state of mind they are in. The pressures of life and other events, or did God turn them over? I don't know.. Only God knows for sure.

*shrugs*