Would you take the law into your own hands?

CHANGEinWAVES

I just watched a movie about someone's son being killed and justice not being served, the father of the boy finds the killer and attempts to take justice into his own hands.

We've all heard these stories before, and honestly I don't know what I would do since I have no children. So I was wondering what the rest of you feel on this matter. (I don't think I could kill someone, but I don't have children yet that I'd give my life for.)

Thorns2010

I'd like to think that I am more advanced than the normal person. As in I'd be willing to forgive and not seek VENGEANCE, because honestly that's how I feel most people are doing when 'justice isn't served' and take things into their own hands.

I really don't know though, I've never been in the situation, and hopefully I never will be.

CHANGEinWAVES

Thorns2010 wrote:

I'd like to think that I am more advanced than the normal person. As in I'd be willing to forgive and not seek VENGEANCE, because honestly that's how I feel most people are doing when 'justice isn't served' and take things into their own hands.

I really don't know though, I've never been in the situation, and hopefully I never will be.

I would think that your love for a child changes your feelings on this situation completely

Thorns2010

CHANGEinWAVES wrote:

Thorns2010 wrote:

I'd like to think that I am more advanced than the normal person. As in I'd be willing to forgive and not seek VENGEANCE, because honestly that's how I feel most people are doing when 'justice isn't served' and take things into their own hands.

I really don't know though, I've never been in the situation, and hopefully I never will be.

I would think that your love for a child changes your feelings on this situation completely

I'm not doubting that, but at the same time I realize that we as human beings are just overly advanced animals. And the question is, would I give into my animal instincts? Or approach the situation from a different/higher level than that basic instinct?

CHANGEinWAVES

Thorns2010 wrote:

I'm not doubting that, but at the same time I realize that we as human beings are just overly advanced animals. And the question is, would I give into my animal instincts? Or approach the situation from a different/higher level than that basic instinct?

I just think it's easier to say that when you're not feeling the pain of loss.

Thorns2010

Again, I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just trying to look at this from a philosophical point of view.

I mean what if unbeknownst to you, your child would grow up to be the next Hitler.....yes for you it would suck and be very painful to loose that child, but in the grand scheme of things it would be for the betterment of all mankind.

Than again.....I believe the world will be around at lot longer then us foolish humans will be, and by the end of time, all that we have achieved and created will be lost to the sands of time.

Hehehe, I don't mean to sound like a downer, I swear!!

Motha Judson

Yes

know1

Absolutely not. Killing is wrong....even in revenge. Maybe even worse in revenge if possible.

know1

Thorns2010 wrote:

CHANGEinWAVES wrote:

Thorns2010 wrote:

I'd like to think that I am more advanced than the normal person. As in I'd be willing to forgive and not seek VENGEANCE, because honestly that's how I feel most people are doing when 'justice isn't served' and take things into their own hands.

I really don't know though, I've never been in the situation, and hopefully I never will be.

I would think that your love for a child changes your feelings on this situation completely

I'm not doubting that, but at the same time I realize that we as human beings are just overly advanced animals. And the question is, would I give into my animal instincts? Or approach the situation from a different/higher level than that basic instinct?

Do animals kill out of revenge?

mnicole22

Yes....If someone maliciously killed my child, and I didn't think justice was being served? Yes, in a heartbeat.

DeLukin

That really is a tough question. I'd LIKE to think I wouldn't give in to those emotions, but the fact of the matter is I don't know. My daughter came home with a bruise on her knee the other day from a boy in her class who had playfully kicked her - I could literally feel my blood pressure rising as she told me what happened! It's well and good to say you're more evolved than that, but who knows how any of us would act in that moment? I sure don't.

blackredyellow

At first, I'm sure my first reaction would be to take justice in my own hands... but then after many sleepless nights I would probably realize that me killing the person responsible would probably end me up in jail.... So instead of my family losing a child, they'd be losing a child and a father...

I don't know.... it's easy to think what you would do now, but who knows how any of us would react in that terrible situation.

bernmodi

Even in this worst case scenario for parents, when your child gets killed, I don't think I could kill in revenge. It just doesn't make sense and wouldn't ease my pain. But of course I'd wish the killer to feel hell on earth for the rest of his life... And, if someone "just" harassed my child I guess I might easily get violent myself and slap this person or kick his balls. Doesn't sound very logical, but then these are situations where logic usually stops.

soulsinging

I don't believe anyone here saying yes. We're all basically middle-class professionals, cowards, and law-abiding citizens. We tell ourselves and each other that if our kid was killed we'd all be tough and strong and go Bruce Willis on them, track them down and kill them ourselves, but it's just smoke. We'd sit and take it. We'd go to counseling, maybe start a kidney foundation, and move on with our lives. How many children die or go missing every year? How many of those go unsolved? And how many of these families go to the extent of tracking down and killing the culprit? Maybe the one that caused the movie and one other parent. It just doesn't happen. You're probably more likely to commit suicide than to lift a finger other than to maybe hire a private investigator.

So no, I wouldn't. I'd never kill anyone. I'm afraid of prison.

acoustic guy

soulsinging wrote:

I don't believe anyone here saying yes. We're all basically middle-class professionals, cowards, and law-abiding citizens. We tell ourselves and each other that if our kid was killed we'd all be tough and strong and go Bruce Willis on them, track them down and kill them ourselves, but it's just smoke. We'd sit and take it. We'd go to counseling, maybe start a kidney foundation, and move on with our lives. How many children die or go missing every year? How many of those go unsolved? And how many of these families go to the extent of tracking down and killing the culprit? Maybe the one that caused the movie and one other parent. It just doesn't happen. You're probably more likely to commit suicide than to lift a finger other than to maybe hire a private investigator.

So no, I wouldn't. I'd never kill anyone. I'm afraid of prison.

No way man...the way I feel for my family? And the way I already am.....I would have to do something. Not sure what but I could never ever ever let it go. Maybe its all talk but I just know how I am with small things, something this big would put me over the edge.

yoke

yes, without a doubt in my mind

Brain of J.Lo

CHANGEinWAVES wrote:

I just watched a movie about someone's son being killed and justice not being served, the father of the boy finds the killer and attempts to take justice into his own hands.

We've all heard these stories before, and honestly I don't know what I would do since I have no children. So I was wondering what the rest of you feel on this matter. (I don't think I could kill someone, but I don't have children yet that I'd give my life for.)

If someone hurt my daughter, I don't think I would be able to control my actions towards that person. I don't think fear of consequences would keep me from acting, because I doubt I'd be rational.

That said, I'm a petite woman who does not and would never own a gun, so I'd be lucky to get in a few slaps before someone pulled me off of the person I was trying to "kill". :oops:

Austicman

I probably won't for the fact it would only compound the misery for my family and friends. As much as they'd probably want revenge as well the thought of losing another loved one would bring them to their senses.

norm

kill? too easy

torture...yep especially mental torture

soulsinging

acoustic guy wrote:

soulsinging wrote:

I don't believe anyone here saying yes. We're all basically middle-class professionals, cowards, and law-abiding citizens. We tell ourselves and each other that if our kid was killed we'd all be tough and strong and go Bruce Willis on them, track them down and kill them ourselves, but it's just smoke. We'd sit and take it. We'd go to counseling, maybe start a kidney foundation, and move on with our lives. How many children die or go missing every year? How many of those go unsolved? And how many of these families go to the extent of tracking down and killing the culprit? Maybe the one that caused the movie and one other parent. It just doesn't happen. You're probably more likely to commit suicide than to lift a finger other than to maybe hire a private investigator.

So no, I wouldn't. I'd never kill anyone. I'm afraid of prison.

No way man...the way I feel for my family? And the way I already am.....I would have to do something. Not sure what but I could never ever ever let it go. Maybe its all talk but I just know how I am with small things, something this big would put me over the edge.

So the people who have had something terrible happen to their kids and didn't go kill the person that did it... they just don't feel the way you do about your family?

Surf Rider

soulsinging wrote:

acoustic guy wrote:

soulsinging wrote:

I don't believe anyone here saying yes. We're all basically middle-class professionals, cowards, and law-abiding citizens. We tell ourselves and each other that if our kid was killed we'd all be tough and strong and go Bruce Willis on them, track them down and kill them ourselves, but it's just smoke. We'd sit and take it. We'd go to counseling, maybe start a kidney foundation, and move on with our lives. How many children die or go missing every year? How many of those go unsolved? And how many of these families go to the extent of tracking down and killing the culprit? Maybe the one that caused the movie and one other parent. It just doesn't happen. You're probably more likely to commit suicide than to lift a finger other than to maybe hire a private investigator.

So no, I wouldn't. I'd never kill anyone. I'm afraid of prison.

No way man...the way I feel for my family? And the way I already am.....I would have to do something. Not sure what but I could never ever ever let it go. Maybe its all talk but I just know how I am with small things, something this big would put me over the edge.

So the people who have had something terrible happen to their kids and didn't go kill the person that did it... they just don't feel the way you do about your family?

What about all the thousands of people who have killed out of revenge. The majority might not but your stating that like it's fact, nobody would ever do such a thing. Some would and have. It doesn't even have to be that your child is murdered, even a daughter being raped can cause a parent to kill. Anyone who thinks that some parents aren't capable of that is very naive.

soulsinging

Pearl Jam wrote:

What about all the thousands of people who have killed out of revenge. The majority might not but your stating that like it's fact, nobody would ever do such a thing. Some would and have. It doesn't even have to be that your child is murdered, even a daughter being raped can cause a parent to kill. Anyone who thinks that some parents aren't capable of that is very naive.

I'm not saying it doesn't, I'm saying I suspect all the people posting here talking all tough about how they'd kill someone are full of shit. Sure, some parents do it. But compared to the number of parents that DON'T do any such thing, it's a pretty miniscule amount. Shit, with sex offender registration laws and the ability to google and find all such people with ease, how come there haven't been dozens of murdered child molesters at the hands of their victims' parents? Because most people, as much as they love their families, 1) are not capable of murder and don't want to be and 2) realize that spending life in prison for murder is not the best way to heal their families.

cornnifer

i'm seeing two types of responses here. Those from individuals without children and those from individuals WITH children.
Its hard, i think, for someone without children to make this call. Until one experiences the immediate, life changing, unconditional love that comes with having children, its impossible to appreciate it. Speaking as someone with three small boys, i can say that the instant i saw each one of them i knew that i would lie down on train tracks for them and NOONE had better ever fuck with them.
Would i kill? Hard to say. i would definitely WANT to. i think it really depends on the situation. How long has it been since they harmed my son? If its been awhile and i've had time to deal with emotion, probably not. i'm not the killing type. If i happen to catch them in the act however, the fucker doesn't stand a chance. That's not bravado. Its just truth.

flywallyfly

Yes.... and I sure would try to do it where i didnt get caught and go to jail. My daughter means everything to me and I couldnt stand the pain of knowing her killer was free and capable of killing another's child.

Cosmo

I would hope my answer would be 'No'. I would hope I'd have the strength to forgive (but not let the person escape responsibility or justice). But, i would hope to believe i would not kill in vengence.
and, 'No... i don't have kids'. And i don't think it mattters. I have brothers and sisters and neices and nephews that I love very much. and i don't think that having kids gives you the ability to corner the market on love.
Consider this: You love your kids so much... if one of them murdered... and you knew they did it... would you turn them in, knowing they'd face a Lethal Injection?

Surf Rider

Cosmo wrote:

Consider this: You love your kids so much... if one of them murdered... and you knew they did it... would you turn them in, knowing they'd face a Lethal Injection?

Of course not. You'd hide any and all evidence and then if push came to shove you would say you did it yourself.

Cosmo

Pearl Jam wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

Consider this: You love your kids so much... if one of them murdered... and you knew they did it... would you turn them in, knowing they'd face a Lethal Injection?

Of course not. You'd hide any and all evidence and then if push came to shove you would say you did it yourself.

...
That's my point... you would protect a murderer.
I wouldn't. I love my brothers very much... but, if they ever commited a murder... i would feel that they would HAVE to face justice and own up to their responsibility and be accountable for their actions.
Of course, i would try to convince them to turn themselves in because that is the right thing to do. If they failed to sdo so... THEY would leave me no alternative but to turn them in. The Family of the person murdered by my brother deserves justice too... don't they?

Commy

CHANGEinWAVES wrote:

I just watched a movie about someone's son being killed and justice not being served, the father of the boy finds the killer and attempts to take justice into his own hands.

We've all heard these stories before, and honestly I don't know what I would do since I have no children. So I was wondering what the rest of you feel on this matter. (I don't think I could kill someone, but I don't have children yet that I'd give my life for.)

seems like more and more movies are coming giving the hero an excuse to do all kinds of terrible things. most recently its Taken, where the hero is completely justified in torturing his daughter's akidnappers. I think we need to realize these are completely made up scenarios, that chances are they never happen.

but at the same time these movies are conditioning us to be a little more accepting of things like torture and murder and revenge and "justice". just be aware, that no, these things are not ok, and that these scenarios rarely, if ever, happen.

imo/.

cornnifer

Cosmo wrote:

and, 'No... i don't have kids'. And i don't think it mattters. I have brothers and sisters and neices and nephews that I love very much. and i don't think that having kids gives you the ability to corner the market on love.
?

i don't think anyone implied anything about cornering the market. i'm sure you love your brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews very much. Having children is entirely different, however. Entirely different. Again, its impossible to understand until you experience it.

Cosmo

cornnifer wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

and, 'No... i don't have kids'. And i don't think it mattters. I have brothers and sisters and neices and nephews that I love very much. and i don't think that having kids gives you the ability to corner the market on love.
?

i don't think anyone implied anything about cornering the market. i'm sure you love your brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews very much. Having children is entirely different, however. Entirely different. Again, its impossible to understand until you experience it.

...
I'm sorry... but I find that difficult to buy when there are so many single mothers out there whose deadbeat fathers don't give a shit... when there are so many neglected or ignored kids out there. If parenting is such a magical thing, how do you reconcile the number of fucked up kids?

soulsinging

Cosmo wrote:

...
I'm sorry... but I find that difficult to buy when there are so many single mothers out there whose deadbeat fathers don't give a shit... when there are so many neglected or ignored kids out there. If parenting is such a magical thing, how do you reconcile the number of fucked up kids?

I was thinking the same things. Plenty of people are as capable of cruel indifference to their kids as any other loved one. I've seen it firsthand. To those who love their spouse and are very taken with the idea of having a family, I'm sure it's magical. But that doesn't make it automatic and I'm quite bored of hearing about how nobody can ever love as much as parents do.