I’ve been ambivalent about the death penalty for a while. On the one hand, if the state has the authority to punish criminals at all – and most would agree it has – why should it not demand the ultimate penalty for the ultimate crime?
Alternately, perhaps murderers should be given more time to repent of their crimes and receive salvation through Christ. Of course, as Dr. Johnson observed, the prospect of being hanged in the morning concentrates the mind wonderfully, so a convict’s imminent demise might turn out to be his best friend.
And then there is the possibility of a judicial mistake.
The Episcopal Church is attempting to aid me in my indecision: its leaders are agitating against the death penalty. A sure sign that there must be some merit in it.
From here:
The Episcopal Church officially has opposed the death penalty for more than half a century, and its advocacy is gaining traction as momentum builds across the country to end capital punishment. Bishops and other church leaders are writing letters, joining coalitions, testifying before legislators and publicly demonstrating their opposition to the death penalty.
But now, having just taken a dip in the crystal waters of the Adriatic, I am going to stroll along its shores to the ancient town of Hvar, stop at a cafe, sample the local wine and ponder no more the vacuity of contemporary Episcopal neologisms.
Seems hypocritical to me that today they are saying the the worst criminals in our society should be allowed to live, while for the past several decades have been proclaiming the “abortion is a blessing”.
I have to wonder why they feel it is ok to murder an innocent child, but not ok to execute a mass murderer?
Surely if the life of a mass murderer is sacred to God, than the life of an innocent child is even more sacred!
There was a time when I wholeheartedly endorsed a death penalty, but with a softer heart these days,I ponder the correctness of state sponsered killing. Looking to Christ for an answer I read His words in Matthew 18:6,”…better for him if a millstone was hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Sounds like the death penalty to me. Like you I defer to the cafe and the wine, and after a bit, see if I could pronounce “neologisms”,or even care about them, let alone create or understand them.
“I’ll have another please, and render unto Caesar what is Caesars, garcon.” Continued blessings on you and Sharen your vacation exodus. Terry& Karen