Comments on: How Christ-like is the death penalty? http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/ All Mandi Kaye, all the time Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:36:55 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Buffy http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/comment-page-1/#comment-4303 Buffy Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:01:24 +0000 http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/#comment-4303 Like Musicguy I was thinking about how Jesus asked for forgiveness for those who killed him, even though they hadn't expressed interest in any such thing. I just think as soon as we take a life from a defenceless person (i.e. one who is safely contained in prison) we are descending to their level. Aren't we supposed to be better than them? And the fact that the penalty for murder in the OT was death is not a good enough reason for us to take a life. The death penalty also applied to working on a sabbath, adultory and disrespecting your parents. It was a brutal and primitive society and the laws and punishments reflected that. We, however, are not. And besides, what happens when you execute the wrong person? How are you going to give them their life back? At least you can release someone from prison. Like Musicguy I was thinking about how Jesus asked for forgiveness for those who killed him, even though they hadn’t expressed interest in any such thing.

I just think as soon as we take a life from a defenceless person (i.e. one who is safely contained in prison) we are descending to their level. Aren’t we supposed to be better than them? And the fact that the penalty for murder in the OT was death is not a good enough reason for us to take a life. The death penalty also applied to working on a sabbath, adultory and disrespecting your parents. It was a brutal and primitive society and the laws and punishments reflected that. We, however, are not.
And besides, what happens when you execute the wrong person? How are you going to give them their life back? At least you can release someone from prison.

]]> By: AG http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/comment-page-1/#comment-4269 AG Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:36:58 +0000 http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/#comment-4269 I don't think MIn was saying only those who "deserve" mercy should be shown it, but only those who "want" mercy. Jesus isn't going to show mercy to those who refuse it. And God uses humans as His tools quite often. When Jael killed Sisera (Judges 4) I doubt God audibly spoke to her, but it was very obviously the will of God. Jael was not the author and finisher of that man's life, but God had put her in that place and time for that purpose. I don’t think MIn was saying only those who “deserve” mercy should be shown it, but only those who “want” mercy. Jesus isn’t going to show mercy to those who refuse it. And God uses humans as His tools quite often. When Jael killed Sisera (Judges 4) I doubt God audibly spoke to her, but it was very obviously the will of God. Jael was not the author and finisher of that man’s life, but God had put her in that place and time for that purpose.

]]> By: Musicguy http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/comment-page-1/#comment-4268 Musicguy Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:11:37 +0000 http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/#comment-4268 Yes, the bible is certainly the foundation of your beliefs, but that's not the case with a huge percentage of the population. If you're only attempt is to argue with Min and other like minded individuals, than keep on course. Not the best community building exercise, but I suppose that's not the point-- here. Perhaps you could redo your argument for Common Ground... Yes, the bible is certainly the foundation of your beliefs, but that’s not the case with a huge percentage of the population. If you’re only attempt is to argue with Min and other like minded individuals, than keep on course. Not the best community building exercise, but I suppose that’s not the point– here.

Perhaps you could redo your argument for Common Ground…

]]> By: Amanda http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/comment-page-1/#comment-4267 Amanda Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:35:45 +0000 http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/#comment-4267 Not gonna happen, MG, because the Bible is the foundation for our beliefs. It does make it difficult whenever two people have opposing viewpoints with a biblical foundation... but such is life. Not gonna happen, MG, because the Bible is the foundation for our beliefs.

It does make it difficult whenever two people have opposing viewpoints with a biblical foundation… but such is life.

]]> By: Capital Punishment: Justice, Jesus and the Cross : MInTheGap http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/comment-page-1/#comment-4265 Capital Punishment: Justice, Jesus and the Cross : MInTheGap Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:21:21 +0000 http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/#comment-4265 [...] start this round finally making progress in our debate on the Death Penalty.  For starters, Amanda admits that she does not believe the Death Penalty to be just.  This necessitates that she’s not providing mercy for the convicted convict, but [...] [...] start this round finally making progress in our debate on the Death Penalty.  For starters, Amanda admits that she does not believe the Death Penalty to be just.  This necessitates that she’s not providing mercy for the convicted convict, but [...]

]]> By: Musicguy http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/comment-page-1/#comment-4264 Musicguy Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:53:48 +0000 http://www.mandikaye.com/2008/03/19/how-christ-like-is-the-death-penalty/#comment-4264 "To me, if there’s no repentance and no remorse, there’s no reason for me to be merciful. If you look at every instance of God’s justice/mercy balance in the Bible you’ll see that God was merciful on those that asked, those that showed remorse, or repentance. If you didn’t do one of those things you got what you deserved. Or am I mistaken?" Yeah, I think he is... Good Friday is tomorrow. I'm thinking of Jesus' supposed last words on the cross. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)" His crucifiers had no remorse, yet Jesus was showing mercy and forgiveness. That seems to help your argument, Amanda. I'd still love to read this entire debate without the biblical references. I think it would end up being far stronger. “To me, if there’s no repentance and no remorse, there’s no reason for me to be merciful. If you look at every instance of God’s justice/mercy balance in the Bible you’ll see that God was merciful on those that asked, those that showed remorse, or repentance. If you didn’t do one of those things you got what you deserved.
Or am I mistaken?”

Yeah, I think he is…
Good Friday is tomorrow. I’m thinking of Jesus’ supposed last words on the cross. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)” His crucifiers had no remorse, yet Jesus was showing mercy and forgiveness. That seems to help your argument, Amanda.

I’d still love to read this entire debate without the biblical references. I think it would end up being far stronger.

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