“What about Jesus? Some say Jesus’ ethic of love and forgiveness requires us to end the death penalty. This was the appeal Mother Theresa made when Robert Alton Harris was facing the gas chamber here in California. She appealed to the governor saying Jesus would forgive.
With no disrespect towards Mother Theresa, I think her comments were mistaken because her view simply proves too much. What should be done instead with capital criminals? Should we put them in prison for the rest of their lives? But Jesus would forgive. Should we put them in prison for ten years? But Jesus would forgive. Should we put a murderer in prison for one day? But Jesus would forgive.
You see, if this argument works it becomes justification for the abolishment of any kind of punishment whatsoever. This argument proves too much.” – from www.str.org
If you don’t believe in the death penalty, but believe criminals should be punished in some way, then do not use the argument that, “Jesus loves everyone and would forgive.” That argument makes no sense.
Unless you believe all society’s criminals are forgiven by Jesus and therefore should go free, then you can use that argument. But of course, that makes no sense either, and that is certainly not a Christian view.
If you don’t believe in capital punishment, please come up with a better argument.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
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