Isn't soliciting a crime also a crime?
I'm new here, so I don't know if this topic has been covered ad nauseum already.
To my view, all three of the Abrahamic religions are immoral because (among other things) they seek to superimpose a morality based on loyalty to God over the basic morality intrinsic to human nature. It reminds me of the way new members of a gang or cult are cut off from their families and society, and forced to put the interests of the gang or cult ahead of the welfare of their family, society and themselves.
The foundation myth of the gang leader (aka god) coercing Abraham into nearly killing his son to prove his loyalty would be a criminal act in any modern society. As the character Jesus said, "you shall know them by their fruits," and the fruit tree in this case has rotten from inside out.
I think Steve Wells (Skeptic's Annotated Bible) said it best,
"Only an evil god would order it. Only a bad father would do it."
True, true. Although I think it's a bit more than merely an expression of evil. Connect Abraham's crime to the first 4 commandments (as well as numerous other verses) and the perverse nature of religion becomes clear. The monotheistic religions have taken it to its ultimate expression ... a point where most people confuse morality with faith even though the two things are actually bitter enemies. ---------------------> "My work here is done." -- my 5-year-old son, Zach.
The story of Abraham nearly sacrificing his child is so ridiculous and unbelievable that I can barely believe that I believed it for so long!
I can remember sitting in Sunday School and hearing stories like these, and I also remember wondering why a loving God would want someone to plan on killing his own child in a sacrifice. But, alas, I was so indoctrinated with religion that I just accepted the story for many years.
Now, of course, I find it to be nothing but phony-baloney myth. I mean, not only would it be illogical for a loving God to ask someone to do something like that, but the parts of God and an angel having conversations with Abraham are just ridiculous. Christians often wonder why God doesn't speak now like he did back then, but the answer is that he doesn't now because he DIDN'T back then either! It's just a bunch of silly old nonsense written by religious nomads.
But, yes, to answer the original question, inciting someone to murder is criminal activity, even if there is an intervention to prevent the murder.
Thanks, JustMe. Ridiculous fiction indeed. I also think the Abraham story is devious and perhaps evil. Although monotheists wouldn't put it this way, the message is that faith is more important than morality. The best modern analogy that comes to mind is a gang initiation ritual.
---------------------> "My work here is done." -- my 5-year-old son, Zach.