Sentence:  To this sect belong also the Skakounui, or Jumpers. ... They refuse to take an oath, and will not bear arms, <WSD>deeming</WSD> it sinful to shed human blood. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To hold in belief or estimation; to adjudge as a conclusion; to regard as being; to evaluate according to one's beliefs; to account.