In reference to Saddam's execution...?

Question

"Ye have heard it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, Do not resist an evil person: but whosoever smites thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sues and takes away your coat, give him your cloak also. You have heard it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Be ye therefore perfect as your father in heaven is perfect." -Mathew 5

Your thoughts?

I like the answers thus far but some of you are missing the point. Jesus did not die on the cross to promote the death penalty. Since religious fanatics seem to back every action of the US, it would be helpful that they once and awhile actually follow what Jesus said.

And yes, Jesus did cancel the old law. (corinthians 5:17)

The sermon on the mount is Jesus's final decree to mankind on how to rightly live. You can pretty much sack the rest of the bible in comparison to it.

Answer 1

We should love Saddam, but hate what he has done.

From the moon, everything on earth looks rather flat. The mountains and valleys and in between all look like they are the same level.
If we measure bad people by good people and vice versa, some look really good, and others, evil.
If we consider the moon way up there, being the mark of perfection, then we fall far below that, and even the most moral person is hardly any better than the most evil.

Those who hate Saddam, labeling him as evil, and not worthy of being forgiven, must be completely blind to how evil they are, probably because they do all the "right" things, and forget about their words, thoughts desires and the motives for their actions, and become full of pride in being "good" people. These people are worse than mass murderers, and rapists, yet they cannot see it, because they are so focussed on their actions, and thinking some actions are better than others regardless of the motive, or the heart behind those actions.

In Jesus day, these were the pharisees. In our day, we have them everywhere. There are heaps in religions in churches, and in the "good" citizens of society.

People like Saddam need to be loved as much or more than everyone else. Should they have killed him? I don't know. I don't know what was in the heart of his executioners. Perhaps it was for the best.

Have a good day/night.

Answer 2

Had Saddam been executed by christians, this might be a topic of debate, but since he wasn't you can "turn the other cheek" and pass the credit of his execution to the islamic nation..........I'm guessing they still like the " eye for an eye" technique. Just to add insult to injury, they "the islamic nation" don't recognize Jesus as the son of God nor follow his teachings unless the Koran has been revised to dublicate the christian Holy Bible. To imply that Saddams execution is wrong because of christian beliefs is a misrepresentation. CHRISTIANS DIDN'T DO IT.

Answer 3

This is one of the most beautiful quotations in all of Christianity. If more people lived by its basic message -- Christian and non-Christian alike -- the world would truly be a better place.

The entire affair with Saddam Hussein was sad and horrible, from his actions through to his execution. Indeed, those who professed to be Christian did not follow Matthew 5 in this case.

Answer 4

as the friend of a Kuwati person that was forced to watch their newborn baby killed by Saddam's men (in a most brutal manner)
i must disagree.

some people we do not have the facilities to deal with here on earth. and the most brutal of them i am in favor of speeding their meeting with the gods.

I would suggest that you apply your own words to the Christian Church. and ask them about the horrors committed in the time bvefore the law of man and the law of the church was seperate.

or is it OK to burn a Pagan at the stake because they are against your religion. or to drown a witch. or to execute a werewolf (i refer to the case of Stubb Peeter, the forst man convicted of being a werewolf and killed by the church)

i am not saying that some people do not need to die. but your religion has a really nasty habit of killing people just for believing in a different religion or for not believing in your God. and it is clear that the only thing that stops them today is the Law of Man.

Answer 5

You mean it was "wrong" to try and execute Hitler too? Are you all "for" criminals getting off scott-free? Someone murders your family, and you'd want the criminal to walk? Sickening. You need to be reminded that Jesus didn't abolish the Old law. Yes, "love those that persecute you", but leave their punishment to the justice system. It means don't take justice into your own hands. "Pray for those that persecute you" too, but leave their punishment to the justice system for their crimes.

Answer 6

We are told to "Give unto Caesar, that which is Caesars". We are also told that as Christians we are to follow our government's laws. Saddamba was executed by his government. He certainly deserved what was his punishment for his crimes according to their faith. Why do we have the right to argue with it?
Eds

Answer 7

What does your quote have to do with execution. Did you see who it is written too? - "you". Individuals have no right to execute anyone. But the commandment in Genesis 9:6 "Whoso sheds man's blood by man shall his blood be shed" was written to government and they have the authority to carry that out. Which they did.

Answer 8

also..
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2 Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves. 3 For those ruling are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; 4 for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad.

Do not pick and choose from the scripture so as to try and slant public opinion.
Politicians do this with everything. It's proper name is rhetoric.

Answer 9

You are right on but sometimes to save 1000 if you have to take one then take the one time good chance to save the 1000.good luck

Answer 10

i wonder if all the people he had killed so brutally would feel that we should turn the other cheek. I wonder if your mother were brutally raped and beaten and used and murdered in front of your eyes you would be so preachy about turning the other cheek. "Gee Ma, who cares - let it go" yeah right. Grow up