Technically yes they are. No one is forced to kill, God has granted us complete free will. The correct thing to do if we want to progress spiritually is to be loving in all of our actions and thoughts. The actions part isn't all that difficult once you understand how to, the thoughts one is a bit tougher. So the spiritually correct thing to do is never to hurt, not to mention kill, anyone for this is not loving. Love is the key to spiritual growth and if we ever wonder what is right or wrong in the eyes of God all we have to do is think what the loving thing to do is. God did not write the Bible remember, so just because someone says that God killed all these ppl with a plague or something, remember that that is just what that person thinks. back in those days, ppl believed all nature was an act of God. This may or may not be true. One thing I believe is that any negative in this world is not an act of punishment or dislove from God but instead, opportunities for growth and development. We attract things that will help us grow and learn spiritually and that is why things that seem negative happen to us. It is not punishment from God, it is actually karma and universal laws set up by God out of LOVE for all of us. These laws are what are going to bring us back to being one with God. I hope I helped you to understand better some of your questions, I would highly suggest you talk to God about these things for God can teach you more than any other source ever. Look within to God and you will learn.
Love all; hurt none.
