difference between "murdered" and "executed"

[bednobs]

what is the difference between the above please?

[VHG]

Depends who commits the crime.

When the Tzar of Russia and his family were killed after the Russian revolution the leaders of the revolution would say they were executed, the rest of us may say they were murdered.

Did Henry V111 execute Anne Bolyn, or did he murder her to "get her out the way".

[bednobs]

so in which instances would you say executed and which mirdered?

[bednobs]

clearly you would never say mirdered lol

[woofgang]

If you've got the law on your side(or believe you have vide IRA) its an execution, if not its a murder

[Sipowicz]

Murder: Kill unlawfully.
Execute: Kill by order of the Law.

[rowanwitch]

Executed,,, the act is performed for the benefit of a third party or the state. usually by a professional although that may not be their primary duty eg soldiers in a firing squad,,, criminal gang members against opposing gang members or other threat
Always premeditated



Murder by an individual or group for their direct benefit usually for either impulse satisfaction, for financial or other gain, or for revenge

[ludwig]

Execution implies that some sort of formal process has been undertaken and a death sentence imposed by someone in authority.

The uncertainty arises because there's never universal recognition of whether the formal process is a valid and legal one, and whether the person imposing the sentence has the right to do so.

Terrorists will say that they execute hostages, but anyone outside of their organisation will be more likely to call it murder.

[Old_Geezer]

I tend to go along with those who say it depends on the viewpoint of those using the word. If those responsible wish to imply they were entitled to take an iindividual's life away then they would call it "executed", or some such phrase. IMO "murdered" is probably best considered more of a blanket term for any intentional killnig of a human being as otherwise those who claim authority can claim they never murder anyone, which given how the word is generally used, is not a reasonable use.

[ludwig]

// "murdered" is probably best considered more of a blanket term for any intentional killnig //

I disagree geezer. Murder always means an illegal killing and deliberately used as an emotive term. Does a soldier murder his opposite number in battle? or do the police murder someone who's walking down the high street shooting at people?

The best blanket term for an intentional killing, is probably killing.

[Old_Geezer]

I have no problem with that. One murders the enemy to prevent them murdering you. It is this suggestion that a State isn't murdering people when they perform capital punishment. It is deliberately not being referred to as that in order to avoid justifiable emotional reaction. More manipulation by those in power.

[ludwig]

// I have no problem with that. One murders the enemy to prevent them murdering you. //

Incorrect. One kills the enemy to prevent them killing you. As I said, murder is used as an emotive term to make a point, which is what you're doing.

[beso]

There is bery little difference after the fact to the one who is subjected to either murder or execution.

[beso]

Sometime hungry people say thing like they "could murder a sandwich" but I have never heared anyone speak of executing a sandwich.

[jabuchanjx]

After reading everyone’s posts here, I concur with you all. However like beso stated, the end result is the same with both, DEATH. Murder is classified when powers that be have not authorized it, and executed is to help in keeping everyone feeling morally okay with the death of someone. You have reports of someone being murdered execution style. I do not know exactly what this would entail, for I do not know of any government that will put a bullet in the back of ones head. (Except for that one Russian movie where they executed that serial killer of kids) What I feel, which is like all, millions of opinions, they both are the same. Taking of a life, only God has that right. Law says, you take a life you are a murder, depending on what you have done will depend on us in turn killing you for the way you killed someone and we will sugar coat it (make it sound morally correct) by calling it an execution. Righting a wrong with more death?

[beso]

Only God has the right to take a life?

Does that include the killing done by those who claim the authority of God?

Specifically, I am talking about the genocide conducted by Joshua and the Israelites as they slaughtered the men, women and children of more than thirty tribes who were living in "The Promised Land" when they conquered it.

[jabuchanjx]

No beso, history has recorded so many wars, those using the excuse of being a holy war in the name of God and those that are pure evil. I do not believe there have been any wars where God has told them (man) to go and kill. It is man using the bible twisting the faith. Just as the terrorists that kill, doing it in the name of their God, it is wrong. I am against all those and all wars. I am sorry if I offend or sound as a non believer. I believe even the war between God and the devil will be in another realm. Any war man has started has really been done so over greed, someone or some government wanting something that belongs to another, and most say they are fighting in the name of God, I do not see where God has anything to do with it. When I wrote “only God has the right to take life” I meant, God gives life and when its time, God takes life. Yes sometimes an evil person will cause the death, and that person should be punished, yet the original question asks “difference between murdered and executed?” There is no difference; just one is put in a category to help make it seem to be more morally correct.

[beso]

So you completely reject the Bible as the Word of God since the book of Joshua clearly describes man killing to fulfill of God's will.

So where do you get your notion of God from?

[jobsforall]

If someone is executed that means that they were rightfully killed. They are being punished for a terrible deed.

Being murdered indicates no justification.