Most Christians recognize that Jesus spoke about understanding this commandment expansively. In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord declared that anger or hate against a brother violates the commandment (Mt. 5:24ff). In many evangelical pulpits, the Sixth Commandment will be referenced with regard to abortion, which is an application of the text that is justified given the belief that abortion involves the taking of a human life.
The Westminster Larger Catcheism, in questions 134 -- 136 sets forth positive and negative requirements from the Sixth Commandment:
Q. 134. Which is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.
Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?
A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just defence thereof against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit; a sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labour, and recreations; by charitable thoughts,love, compassion, meekness,gentleness,kindness; peaceable, mild and courteous speeches and behaviour; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil; comforting and succouring the distressed and protecting and defending the innocent.
Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others, except in case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defence; the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life; sinful anger, hatred, envy, desire of revenge; all excessive passions, distracting cares;immoderate use of meat, drink, labor, and recreations; provoking words, oppression, quarreling, striking, wounding, and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.
I thought about the Westminster Standards and their understanding of the Sixth Commandment back in December when I received a fundraising letter from the largely faith based Texas Home School Coalition. That organization used the example of a Texas representative that they lamented was a Republican that supported a measure that would enable the vaccination of children temporarily in the care of Child Protective Services. The Coalition thought that recipients of the letter might wish to make a substantial donation to counter this "type of opponent we're up against" putting family rights "under assault." The letter asserted the right not to vaccinate to be a "family's God-given right" and added that "nothing is more sacred."
Nothing is more sacred than the right to take actions that result in death and disablement of neighbors. The statement is blasphemous on its face.
Yet, such thinking is sadly not unusual in this day, and pastors and church leaders, fearful of controversy, fail to take stands against the anti-vaxxer movement, which has and will result in the loss of life and in permanent disability.
Those that follow the anti-vaxxer movement closely know that there are two versions of it on opposite poles of the political spectrum. That is, there is a left-wing version of it largely comprised of young affluent, liberal families. At the other end, the movement has gained popularity with some who have children who either home school or attend private Christian schools that may not require validation of vaccination records. While these two groups of disparate people often do not know one another, they rely on the same sources of junk science and faulty logic. The result is that diseases that had been on the verge of eradication two decades ago are now making a come back, endangering children and adults with compromised immune systems.
While the anti-vaxxers are loud, they are a small minority. However, their visibility among some evangelical groups has provoked silence among Christian leaders that should know better. Think of it this way: most people realize that there are members of churches that access internet pornography, and pastors are quick and correct to apply the Seventh Commandment and Jesus' teaching about lust in pointing out that this is sin to be repented of. However, there is largely only silence with regard to the community dangers posed by the anti-vaccination movement.
Full disclosure: while I think that we most should be concerned about children threatened by this movement, I should also mention that I, myself, am endangered by it.
While I received all of my childhood vaccinations recommended when I was growing up, medical treatment for my particular form of cancer wiped out my immune system in 2016. I have since been re-vaccinated with all of the innoculations I am allowed to receive, but ongoing medical treatment that keeps me healthy also prevents me from receiving live vaccines, which includes vaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella.
Thus, my well being relies on the herd immunity that anti-vaxxers often deride. The lack of community valuing of the lives of others places me at risk. While it is true the measles is not fatal the majority of the time, the idea that its re-entry into our society poses no risk is simply untrue, as this woman's article reminds us. In addition, I would note that I am a 55 year old man with a weakened immune system. Should I catch the measles, it likely would not be a terribly good thing. I contemplate the possibility that with improved treatments I could very well survive cancer and be killed by the measles.
I used to be a member of a church where multiple anti-vaxxer families with children also were members. While their presence was not the reason I left that church, I must admit that it entered my thinking. To be fair, I never talked with the elders about my concern, though I suspect that doing so would not have been well received. In any event, without wanting to be paranoid about it, the reality is that going to any crowded place with known opponents of vaccination carries a certain amount of risk. I now think about measles outbreaks when planning vacations or going to sporting events or other public spectacles. Bangladesh and Portland, Oregon are now, for me, dangerous places that I probably should stay away from.
Thou shalt not kill. When the church takes the Sixth Commandment as seriously as the Seventh, her witness as to the sweep of God's law will be more consistent.
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