Early this morning we killed a man because he killed two people. He was the one-thousandth person to be executed since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that we have a constitutional right to kill as long as the method is not cruel and unusual. The court should have ruled that we can execute a criminal only if we can prove that our justice system is 100-percent infallible. Had that been the court's primary concern we would not have killed a man this morning or any one of the 999 people before him. And, we would not be preparing to kill the next person at 6 PM today.
We have executed many innocent people and we will continue to execute innocent people because we are not infallible. I remember an execution that was almost stopped too late. The gas chamber was sealed. The pellet was dropped. The man was dying. Then the phone call. He was saved but only by risking the lives of the execution team. Did this man feel the process was neither cruel nor unusual? If he had been Gary Gilmore, we could not have recalled the bullet. Once the trap door is released we can not prevent a broken neck. Once the switch is closed we can not reverse the current’s damage.
Only three countries used capital punishment more than we did in 2004 – China, Iran and Vietnam. How have we been able to demand more Human Rights in these countries while we are executing our citizens? Is there a better example of “the kettle calling the pot black”?
We have executed children. We have executed the retarded. This is not justice. This is hate and convenience. Our own crime statistics prove that capital punishment is not a deterrent. I wouldn’t support capital punishment no matter how much the process might be “sanitized”. Killing is wrong. It is the desperate act of a society that knows neither how to prevent crime nor how to rehabilitate criminals.
At 6 PM Eastern, South Carolina will execute a man. Please pause at 6 PM to pray for this dying man. Pray that he repents his sins and accepts Jesus. If you agree with me then pray that he is the last person we will execute. If you disagree with me then imagine yourself as the executioner standing in the death chamber and at 6 PM Eastern, imagine your hand closing the switch.
2 comments:
The crucifixion of Jesus was not justified by his acts. It was not punishment due him. It was a sacrifice by him for the salvation of all men. Man could not pay for his sin by dying on the cross. Not then. Not now. The cross was never used by man to serve God.
The Old Testament tells of many acts of punishment of man with death by God. Sometimes, by a direct act of God but often, by God acting through man. Then Jesus came to save men. With love not punishment he taught us to obey.
If I could be assured that no innocent person would ever be executed, I would still disagree with capital punishment. Since innocents have been executed and will continue to be executed, you should also disagree with capital punishment. Killing a guilty man serves no purpose. Doing so at the cost of only one innocent life is criminal in itself. Technology has proven that more than 100 men on death row were innocent. We don’t have the technology to challenge the evidence against every death row prisoner. Thus, I believe there is at least one innocent man waiting to be executed. Will you sacrifice him for the right to execute the guilty?
The Romans built and maintained an empire using slave labor. Does that justify slavery? I agree that crucifixion is a form of capital punishment but I don't agree that nailing Jesus to a cross justifies killing criminals.
I shudder at your comparison of the baby and the bath water to capital punishment and an innocent life. Is an innocent life to be wasted like used bath water?
There are two possible reasons why a policeman would kill an innocent man. It was either an accident or murder. Policemen use deadly force only to protect themselves or others from an imminent deadly threat. If an innocent man is executed it is not an accident, it is wanton negligence - a criminal act. The executed man is not an imminent deadly threat; society has alternatives.
A soldier, like a policeman, is a protector not an executioner. The purpose of our armed forces is defense not punishment. They defend our country from attack. Outside our borders they defend others from genocide and enslavement. On the other hand, Saddam and Osama employ executioners. They are very willing to waste an innocent life to achieve their objectives and to ensure that they and their interests are protected.
We execute to punish; to slake our thirst for revenge. Not to protect. Not to deter.
The foremost concern of our government is the individual. His freedom. His protection. His right to life. America makes sacrifices to protect every individual. Individuals are not sacrificed to protect America.
Yes, John, I don’t think that Saddam and Osama, if we catch him, should be executed. Nor do I believe that either can be rehabilitated. I won’t take another’s life for convenience or satisfaction.
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