I'm curious, as this is a question that mainly confronts so-called religious people. Many innocent people have been put to death, and now thru DNA we are finding a lot more. Did Jesus not forgive the woman taking in adultary, a Capital offence? Did Jesus not tell us to love our enemies and do good to those who would do us harm? HE, himself said that only a person without sin should cast the first stone. How many executioners qualify? Also , when invaded Jesus tells us that if we are forced to walk 1 mile with the invader, we should walk 2. When an invading army was passing through, they would force the locals to carry their equipment for a certain distance. Nowhere does Jesus say to take up arms and kill them. Christianity is a hard road to follow, but selecting what you want to take from it is hypocritical. If we break one part of the law, are we not guilty of breaking it all?
2007-01-23 02:44:20 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"luvdalz68"- surely you do not believe evil governments such as Hitler's, Saddam's & Stalin's are God's creations.You are reffering to the "OT" laws pertaining to ancient Israel. Also, many condemned people have repented, exp. the woman in Texas, who before she died witnessed about Jesus to fellow inmates. Even John Paul ll asked Bush io spare her.
Disciple" see Susan S.'s comments below. You did not comment on what you felt about "war".
"Preys Jesus" Does the Bible not say "Those who do not have the law will be judged by their law, which is their conscience"? Where does Jesus ever say to slay anyone? I think you are doing some fanciful rationalizing with God's word. Do you mean"praise Jesus" or is it a play on words?
"Susan S." & "Wannaknow" " thank you both for your contributions to the discussion.
2007-01-23 06:02:00 · update #1
A couple of answers you have received are mistaken on some facts about the death penalty.
Re: “Life is for the innocent, absolute certainty
Over 120 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence. (In the overwhelming number of these cases, the evidence was not DNA. DNA is not a miracle cure for wrongful convictions). The exonerees had spent many years on death row before being found innocent. Speeding up the process would guarantee the execution of an innocent person. It is human nature to make mistakes.
Once someone is executed for a crime the case is closed. If the wrong person was convicted, the real killer is still out there.
Re: Running free in society
There is an alternative for terrible crimes. Life without parole is on the books in more and more states. It means what it says. It is no picnic to be locked up in a tiny cell for 23 of 24 hours a day.
Consider also that death sentences can be very hard on victims’ families. The process takes a long time and they are forced to relive their ordeal over and over again, in courts and in the media. Some murder victims’ family members have said that although they support the death penalty in theory, they prefer life without parole because of how the death penalty process affects families like theirs. Life without parole is swift and sure and rarely results in appeals.
Last of all, opposing the death penalty does not mean you excuse or coddle criminals who commit brutal and depraved acts. They must be punished severely. But people should use common sense, based on verifiable facts, when deciding how to deal with terrible crimes and not on revenge.
2007-01-23 03:38:10 · answer #1 · answered by Susan S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The short answer is no. In the case of war, when war comes to you or the world, in part or whole, is threatened by tyranny and evil, war is often the only option. It's relatively simple, non-violent civil disobedience would not have worked against the NAZIs.
As for capital punishment, the problem isn't with the punishment the problem is with the judicial system. Too many are convicted and condemned on flimsy evidence...and too many get off free because they can afford the best lawyers. As a result, people who shouldn't be on death row, and some who have been executed, wallow in the mistakes made by police, prosecutors, judges and juries. Clearly, though, there are some for whom there is no doubt as to their guilt and for those select few, capital punishment is still the best option, IMHO.
2007-01-23 03:17:04 · answer #2 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is an absolutely wonderful, thought-provoking question. I agree with you. The Bible says that Christians should be no part of the world, but yet they do live in the world. Jesus meant that we should not be a part of this world system of things...wars, politics, etc.
Isaiah 2: 4 says: And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.
Romans 12: 12-21 says: "Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation. Persevere in prayer. 13 Share with the holy ones according to their needs. Follow the course of hospitality. 14 Keep on blessing those who persecute; be blessing and do not be cursing. 15 Rejoice with people who rejoice; weep with people who weep. 16 Be minded the same way toward others as to yourselves; do not be minding lofty things, but be led along with the lowly things. Do not become discreet in YOUR own eyes.
17 Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” 20 But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” 21 Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.
2007-01-23 03:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by wannaknow 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're right. You should look into JW's. They don't believe in abortion unless the life of the mother is at stake - they don't believe in going to war because they don't murder. Nor do they sit around and protest because - as you said - let he who is perfect cast the first stone. Nobody is perfect.
2007-01-23 02:58:16 · answer #4 · answered by CHRISTINA 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The babies being aborted have a good chance of becoming Christian so they should not be aborted. But the bible shows us many examples where god encourages holy wars angainst non-christians. Jesus says to bring those who would not follow him before him and slay them. And the greatest Christian of our era President Bush is leading our holy crusade against Islam.
2007-01-23 03:18:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am pro-life, and I am against war, but forgiving someone on death row for their crimes does not dismiss them from being punished for it. God created governments to punish the wicked and protect the innocent. The Bible says, "The [government] bears not the sword in vain." Pro-lifers are against the taking of INNOCENT life; but those who are unrepentant and violent are not innocent. If an innocent man is put to death, God knows and will reward him exceedingly.
2007-01-23 02:56:56 · answer #6 · answered by FUNdie 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
We as Christians do believe the 6th commandment "Thou shall not kill". Whether abortion, another name for murder, or capital punishment which is still murdering a person.
2007-01-23 03:02:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm Pro-Life and I'm against the war and Capital Punishment.
2007-01-23 02:53:12 · answer #8 · answered by Miah 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
prolife has nothing to do with war and capital punishment, evil has to be punished, if someone murders they cannot be allowed to run free in society, life is for the innocent.
2007-01-23 03:00:29 · answer #9 · answered by disciple 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am. I"m against the war (but I do support our troops), I'm against the death penelty, and I'm against abortion.
2007-01-23 02:55:03 · answer #10 · answered by sister steph 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋