Today's lesson: Matthew 26:52

As I was randomly following links on the interwebs, I came across a supposedly religious site discussing the attack that killed Osama bin Laden. Several posters quoted (as one does) Biblical reasons for not killing people in cold blood, but one person countered this reading, saying that Bible quotes could be used to justify anything. They suggested that killing someone who had killed other people was fine by Jesus. They quoted - I know you know I'm going to say this - Matthew 26 verse 52.

Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

This one is as clear as day to anyone who has read more than one verse in isolation.

"Put up again your sword into his place."

Sheath your damn sword.

"For all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

Because if you use violence, you're doomed.

There are people out there who can read this verse to mean, "Kill him because he has killed". That gives me hives. No particular Osama bin Laden reference, just, come on, folks, if you say you're Christian give it at least a half-hearted shot.