"Does anyone deny that the commandment in its original form, as it was known to Jesus, referred to murder not killing?"
Of course - does anybody deny that the other messages from the gospels indicate pacifism rather than the message that the modern day church propounds that it is OK to kill if the state says so, or are you going to continue ignoring those messages? (rhetorical question, of course)
"Most do not."
Don't remember a vote being taken on that one - ever, but there again - you seem to have a direct line to both God and the minds of "most people".
Your arguments are medieval - a step back to the "warrior Popes" that plundered the world for power and gain.
For Christ's sake (pun intended) we are talking about a mythological figure whose "message" has been adapted and manipulated by politicians and businessmen for two millennia to further their own ends - what he "preached" is about significant as the words of wisdom of Fionn Mac Cumhaill or Merlin, or Cassandra any other mythological figure
Your own "message", as always, is the one of the State - in this case, it is acceptable to kill and plunder for gain and political influence.
You and your church hold neither justice nor human life as important as the interests of the rich and powerful, and to serve your agenda, you are happy to pick-'n- mix your own supposed beliefs to serve your own agenda.
As for what most people think - I believe that the vast majority firmly believe it is wrong and evil to kill anybody, have never taken a human life themselves and live under the philosophy of 'live and let live' - the ultimate and over-riding message of pacifism.
We don't go to war willingly - far from it - it takes extreme laws and official threats of death to persuade us to bear arms.
Your presentation of a violent, war-like face of humanity is as sickening as many of your other arguments in favour of a sick political system in decline.
Basically, the Christian 'message' is one of 'Love and Peace' - perhaps the greatest advertising slogan ever.
Are you telling us it is now 'War, conflict and acquisition' - that is certainly your own personal message - you have defended all at one time or another.
Jim Carroll