Final answer:
The Bible generally condemns murder but also contains stories where violence is sanctioned by God, leading to complex interpretations. Violence in media is also a contemporary issue that might influence behavior. Ultimately, the value of human life and moral behavior is emphasized across different religious traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment of murder and violence in the Bible is multifaceted and varies across different contexts and books. In general, the Bible condemns murder as seen in the Ten Commandments, specifically 'Thou shalt not kill' (Exodus 20:13). However, there are instances in the Bible where violence, even on a large scale, is depicted as being carried out by or sanctioned by God, such as the great flood or the order given to Abraham to sacrifice his son, which can lead to complex interpretations regarding the morality of these actions.
With regards to the acceptability of violence, the Bible makes distinctions. For example, there is a difference between personal revenge, which is discouraged (Leviticus 19:18), and judicial or divinely commanded actions. As Jesus Christ promoted teachings of non-violence and love for enemies (Matthew 5:39–44), the early Christian perspective emphasized peace. However, as Christianity became more established and melded with political power, views on justified violence shifted, particularly when related to the concept of 'holy wars' or the Crusades.
The issue of violence is contemporary as well; reflections can be drawn from the prevalence of violence in media like video games and movies, which is at times considered to normalize aggressive behavior. The psychology behind media influence on behavior has been a subject of study.
Morality and concepts of good and evil asserted by different religious traditions include considerations for the afterlife and divine judgment. Despite the complexities within the biblical scriptures, a core element across most interpretations is the emphasis on moral behavior and the value of human life.