Self-Defense Laws: Castle Doctrine, Stand Your Ground, and the Bible

This essay examines the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground laws, prevalent in the United States, and their implications for self-defense. It defines and contrasts these laws, which allow individuals to use force, including deadly force, in their homes or public spaces under specific circumstances. The essay then explores the biblical concept of self-defense, referencing Genesis 9:6 and other relevant scriptures. It contrasts biblical teachings on self-defense with the commandment "You shall not murder," differentiating between accidental and intentional killing. The essay concludes by clarifying the distinctions between self-defense and murder from a biblical perspective, emphasizing the preservation of life versus the intent to harm. Key references include Cheng & Hoekstra (2013), Douglas Brown (2015), Fox, Levin & Fridel (2018), and Wallace (2014).

Running head: CRIMINAL JUSTICE
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Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground Laws
The castle doctrine and the stand your ground laws are laws that have been based on
the right of self defense of an individual that can be seen as being acknowledged in a
universal manner. In the United States of America in the current times almost half of the
states are seen as having one or other form of laws for the ‘castle doctrine’ or ‘stand your
ground’.
The law of ‘Castle Doctrine’ can be observed as allowing individuals who are
attacked while being in their homes to be using force which also includes the use of deadly
force without any need for retreating. Although in certain states in the United States the
interpretation for the ‘castle doctrine’ is done under the common law, however, in most of the
states there are written statutory provisions present for the Castle Doctrine that provide the
requirements before any person could resort to using deadly forces (Wallace, 2014).
The laws for the ‘Stand your Ground’ are seen as allowing the people to ‘meet force
with force’ instead of retreating from the attackers when they have the reasonable grounds for
believing that they are being faced with threat of great bodily harm or death (Douglas Brown,
2015).
Biblical Concept of Self-defense
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his
own image.” (Genesis 9:6)
Although the above verse from the Bible does not specifically address Self defence
however by establishing the fundamental principle that has been commanded by the Bible are
the examples that have been followed it can be demonstrated that how got is accepting us to

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be protecting life. According to the principles of the moral law that reveres human life it is
stated that human life should be protected.
Self defence can be defined as an individual protecting themselves from sustaining
injury at the hands of another person. Self defence is not just about taking vengeance or the
punishment of the criminals, but the preservation of a person's on health and life in case of
threat post by the actions of others (Cheng & Hoekstra, 2013).
Biblical point on reconciliation of one’s life
Although a general belief is that taking someone’s life in self defence or anticipating
crime has been perfectly justified in the words of Bible. However in the sixth Commandment
very clearly mentioned
“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13)
As per the instructions of God to Israel there are only two classifications of killing:
accidental and intentional. Accidental killing is when a person has taken someone’s life
without any intention to kill or harm them. If there is any intention to kill or injure a person,
as per God’s law it would be considered as a murder regardless of the fact that a person was
threatened.
“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 21:12)
Therefore it is seen that taking someone’s life for self defence is not accepted from
the biblical standpoint.

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Bible teachings on self defence and murder
Murder can be defined as the unlawful killing of any person with an intention of
malice (Fox, Levin & Fridel, 2018). Self defence on the other hand is an individual protecting
themselves from sustaining injury at the hands of another person. As per the biblical
standpoint Self defence is not just about taking Vengeance or punishing any criminal but the
preservation of one’s health and life that has been threatened by any action of any other
individual. However, murder under the Gods law or is killing anyone with an intention of
malice.

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Reference
Cheng, C., & Hoekstra, M. (2013). Does strengthening self-defense law deter crime or
escalate violence? Evidence from expansions to castle doctrine. Journal of Human
Resources, 48(3), 821-854.
Douglas Brown, K. (2015). Stand your ground: Black bodies and the justice of God. Orbis
Books.
Fox, J. A., Levin, J., & Fridel, E. E. (2018). Extreme killing: Understanding serial and mass
murder. Sage Publications.
Wallace, L. (2014). Castle Doctrine Legislation: Unintended Effects for Gun
Ownership?. Justice Policy Journal, 11(2), 1-17.