Every killing tears the soul?

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 141613

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:

SSSusan:
> I think this is just *such* an important point.  I have argued 
since 
> early on post-HBP that there is possibly a difference between cold-
> blooded murder and a class of what I would call "lesser killings," 
> which would include accidental deaths, acting upon a superior 
> officer's command during wartime, and perhaps mercy killings.  I am 
> not convinced that the acts of "lesser killings" would result in a 
> ripped soul.  

Geoff:
I think you are quite right here. My dictionary defines murder 
as "the unlawful premeditated killing of one person by another". And 
that is the crux of the matter. Murder is committed by someone with 
the aim and intent of doing away with someone else. Accidental 
deaths - which under UK law usually count as manslaughter - and 
deaths in battle fall outside this category.

Voldemort also seems to delight in gratuitous murder either by 
himself or his minions. It is not just people who are in his way in 
terms of his pursuit of power but as a demonstration of what he sees 
as his untouchability and invincibility, such as the killing of 
Muggles in the bridge collapse. 

I believe this is where the soul-tearing occurs - where any 
consideration of conscience is ignored in the wish to wield power or 
pain for their own delight.