"The United Methodist Church cannot accept retribution or social vengence as a reason for taking human life. It violates our deepest belief in God as Creator and the Redeemer of humankind. In this respect, there can be no assertion that human life can be taken humanely by the state. Indeed, in the long run, the use of the death penalty by the state will increase the acceptance of revenge in our society and will give official sanction to a climate of violence."
The Book of Resolutions - United Methodist Church
"John Locke argued that a person forfeits his rights when committing even minor crimes. Locke justifies punishment for two reasons: (1) from the retributive side, criminals deserve punishment, and (2) from the utilitarian side, punishment is needed to protect our society by deterring crime through example." The Encyclopedia of Philospohy
"Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. However, if he does not do so intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death." Exodus 21:12-14
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth', but I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other one also." Matthew 5:38-39
There are few topics today that can stir up greater controversy, debate and strong feelings like that of capital punishment. As Christians we look to the Scriptures for direction but even there we get a mixture of messages. So we try to support or condemn the death penalty through scientific study, social outcry and ethical arguments. The "official" stand of the United Methodist Church is against all uses of the death penalty. It is not the intent of this forum to come to a consensus of opinion nor to draw the line and see who stands on each side. It is my intent that you be better informed of what Scripture has to say along side of today's best secular arguments.
Since this topic can be volitile, here is the one guideline I will require of anyone posting a comment. Feel free to discuss your belief and the reasons for it, but do so without referencing anyone else's comment to try and point out why you disagree with their points.
Here are a few extra Scriptures to reference as you create your responses. I will trust that everyone will respond with a proper degree of decorum. Enjoy!
Leviticus 20:1-21
John 8:1-11
Matthew 5:17-48
Acts 5:1-11
Sneak peek for next week - Tithing in the 21st Century
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My belief on the death penalty is that if you committed a crime that brutually hurt someone, then I think you deserve the death penalty. That person's family should not have to think about the killer being out in the world again if they did something wrong. However, on the other hand, if the crime was minor, such as stealing, then I don't think you deserve the death penalty. Yes, you should serve time for the crime but your time spent will hopefully make you realize what you did was wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the situation and the belief of an individual. No one should really have to suffer through this.
I think a life-time jail sentence with no possibility of parole might be a better punishment than the death penalty. Having decades to think about what they did seems as likely to make someone sorry for their actions as the prospect of death. It could also give them more time to realize the error of their ways and repent. Jail keeps them away from the general population, while still leaving their ultimate judgment to God.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again for your responses, I thought they were very thoughtful. Obviously the debate on this topic has no "solution" and Scripture specifics depend on time and culture.
ReplyDeleteOverall I think the problem is when the decision is given to the secular authority of our land without the necessary involvement of moral parameters.
So for myself, as one example, I cannot support the death penalty under any circumstances because I feel it artifically shortens the amount of time the perpetrator would have to repent and confess before they die. That decision is not based on any statistics for rehabilitation or the death penalty as a means for stopping people in the future from committing heinous crimes, it is based purely on theology.
If God's hope is that "all would be saved" then I would like to think that even the most evil of human beings is not beyond redemption. That does not help the victim or their families in many cases, but I have yet to see any solution that is without fault.
Once again, thanks for the way you all treated this issue and each other with respect.
Pastor Damon