Debate on the Death Penalty
Posted by Amanda on February 25th, 2008 . Filed under: Debate .I wrote this post today, and mused to MIntheGap that my reasons for being anti-death penalty are somewhat conflicting.
Amanda (2:41 PM): i can argue that not having the death penalty is both merciful and just
Amanda (2:41 PM): merciful because we’re not executing the man
Amanda (2:42 PM): and just because I personally think spending 23 hours a day in solitary confinement for life is a more just punishment than ending his life on earth
And a debate was born. Two Christians; two viewpoints.
minthegap (2:42 PM): And I can argue that it’s not merciful and unjust.
minthegap (2:43 PM): Not merciful, because the family that lost their loved one(s) have a loss, but the person that took the life still has his
minthegap (2:44 PM): and Unjust, because (1) God commanded a life for a life and (2) there’s always the possibility of parole (3) They still have their life here.
I don’t want to offer any exposition on Min’s position yet. I want to give him the opportunity to speak for himself. I only quoted him here so you may see the opposing viewpoints that started the conversation.
The definition of mercy that I’m using is: not getting something you deserve. So a man who deserves death for a heinous crime would be shown mercy by not being executed. And I think that the Christian position should be one of mercy.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
What did Ghandi say? An eye for an Eye leaves a nation of blind people…or something like that.As soon has someone has to back up his or her evidence with “God says so” you know there is no leg to stand on. There are as many God believers who can quote mine the bible just as effectively to create a different position.Everyone, all religions, have to justify their position on hard topics with “How does this help or hurt humanity?”. Doesnt god want us to help ourselves? Doesnt he want us to put in systems that help promote his children and reduce our suffering?Since the death penalty does not bring the murdered person back to life and does not undo treasonous actions we simply have to measure its effectiveness.Tons of right wingnut politicians love to strut out the anecdotal evidence: [insert murderer here] said he would not have committed this crime if there was a death penalty. This sort of ‘evidence’ insults our intelligence.The question is: does the death penalty reduce crime or not? I’d even be for having a bunch of states have a death penalty for 10 years as long as, at that time, the result were evaluated, and if there is no drop in murder rates in each of those states, then lets get rid of this stupid debate once and for all.But as far as I can tell, death penalty doesnt helpTexas, the death penalty capital of the world, has the same murder rate for the last 10 years as new york (in fact NY is lower).http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=169If the death penalty has no effect on murder rates, then it is gratuitous murder.BTW I always love how anti-abortion people are always the biggest proponent of murdering criminals. As usual Min fits the stereotype.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Of course the death penalty does absolutely zero to stop heinous acts.
There are people who DESERVE death for their crimes…people who hurt the helpless or victimize and kill children. They deserve it, but as a Christian who does believe that God’s great gift to us is life (Jesus said that is what He came to give), I can’t make that call - it’s God’s to make and I believe He is just. But for me, for us as a society, I am against the death penalty.
I have personal reasons for my anti-abortion stance and it wouldn’t make sense to me to value one life while dismissing another, in spite of what is deserved.
I am glad I don’t always get what I deserve. I am thankful for mercy.
And btw, in Matthew 5, you’ll find Jesus abolished the “eye for an eye” deal as He ushered in the new and better covenant.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
You might want to check out this article my friend in Switchfoot land wrote. It’s about Revenge.http://www.switchfeed.com/2007/06/it-is-finished-revenge-post.html
February 25th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Techskeptic, when did Amanda or minthegap mention the Bible to back up their teachings? Don’t go on a rampage against people using scripture or an anecdote that “insults our intelligence” when no one in the conversation has.
Remember that Amanda is anti-abortion and is not a proponent of capital punnishment. And let minthegap speak for himself.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Two problems with the death penalty: if you execute the wrong person you can’t reverse it, whereas you can let someone out of prison. Secondly it does not allow for redemption. Surely redemption is at the heart of Christianity, hence the reason Jesus spent so much time with sinners?
February 26th, 2008 at 6:39 am
to someone:
<b> (1) God commanded a life for a life</b>
Where was that command given? Wasnt that the bible? If not, how does Min know God commanded it?
I know amanda didn’t use the bible as a defense. I didnt say amanda fit the stereotype I said Min does. Care to rescind?Jeanie,<b>in Matthew 5, you’ll find Jesus abolished the “eye for an eye” deal as He ushered in the new and better covenant.</i> Thank you for proving my point. The history of the writing and (mis) translation of the bible for political, racial, sexist, accidental and compromising reasons has created a document by which virtually anyone can use it to defend any position. Thanks again. And I think your perspective on how people should die is right on. if God wants them dead, let him do it.The problem with the death penalty is that its only function is to make the people with the loss feel better. Unfortunately, it in most cases doesnt even do that. After years of trials the victims family generaly become totally inured to the process and the event.Best to make them suffer in this life. Im all for breaking rocks and no cable television.BTW, go check out the exonerated (its a play, maybe they made it into a documentary). Im sure you can buy the script. Its the interviews of MANY folks who were exonerated form the death penalty. Want to hear of a crime, take away a decade or two from someone’s life who was innocent. There is no recompensment given that can give that back, nor do we as a society even bother to try.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:41 am
um i dont think double spacing worked. I even triple spaced some of the lines (and ofcourse mistagged a a quote - ugh). Sorry I am so spazzy. oh.. I dont need to tag with is editor? Clearly I have not been here in a while.More apologies (5 linespaces)
February 26th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Double spacing between lines has worked for me in the past.
I’m sorry it isn’t working for you.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:31 am
You could always try putting [/br] tags where you want spaces (using the angle brackets, of course). I have to do that when I write for the newspaper… annoying, but it works.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I bet it has something to do with my use of firefox.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:36 am
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February 28th, 2008 at 10:57 am
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