to kill or not to kill? that is the question.

[Monica]

Supposedly Jesus killed a fig tree. There is no way to be alive on this earth without killing something else. It's purpose, intention, ideal that make the difference. Are you striving to become more aware of the connection between yourself and all things? Or do you have some other intention?

We can't help killing microbes, each time we take a breath. (Although, are they really dying? I don't think so.)

You say intention is important, and I agree with the gist of that, although I'd say that both intention and action are important. Intention drives action, and unintentional action is understandable and forgivable, but intention without action when we could have taken action, is irresponsible.

The real question, I think, has to do with killing unnecessarily, ie. when we could have consciously avoided said killing...which brings us back full circle.

I don't think we are necessarily called to martyrdom. Ra mentioned that some do have a strong "distortion toward martyrdom," I seem to recall.

Can you explain how martyrdom enters into this? Or maybe I missed something...? What does martyrdom have to do with avoiding killing?

---

The issue for me is: are we killing out of necessity or preference. Accepting death is different actively creating it. To use Jesus' words: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Exactly. The problem is that many people, even 'spiritually oriented' people, don't consider animals to be 'others.'