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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 4:26:01 PM
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Qtman
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quote:
ORIGINAL: terryjohn After just one crime we put a man to death but after so many sins we are forgiven. If we are to do unto others what we would have them do unto us, then the death penalty is not what I want. Actually it shows we have very little faith in mans ability to rehabilitate himself and even less faith in Gods ability to do the samething. If the fear of hell or the death penalty will not restrain the madness of men then surely the love of God in us will. Where are earthless and zamdad when I need them. I have all kinds of faith in Gods rehabilitive powers. I do not however have much faith in the rehabilitive abilities of the criminal element. I have been in law enforcement for 29 years, earthless has been in law enforcement for 29 years and zamdad has been in law enforcement both as a cop and a corrections officer and I believe they will agree. The majority of the people in my States prison system are repeat offenders. The prison system is badly over crowded but if it were not for the repeat offenders they would have plenty of room. As to being saved while in prison, I do believe it happens however I am highly sceptical because most criminals either become a lawyer or born again preacher while behind bars and go right back to their criminal behavior as soon as the Board of Pardon and Parols releases them. This is simple facts. Hard to swallow for some I know but sometimes the truth is. Can they be forgiven. Yes certainly they can. Look at the theif on the cross. Jesus forgave him. But notice he died for his crimes anyway.
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Don't take life here to seriously. No one gets out alive.
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 4:29:50 PM
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hellohellohi
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I like what was said early on in the thread (haven't read all of them): Forgive them yes but does not mean they are excused of punishment, just they can also go to be with the Lord. I would put it as: If the death penalty is the law of land, then the murderer knows they will also be killed, but we are called to forgive them. I am also pleased by the notion put forth by Paul that authorities are in place to punish evil-doers and that those who follow good need not worry. However, I grow concerned when a government turns to the people themselves for its criteria of the good. It seems to me that at this time, if the people should let their government be ruled by mass-appeal, then the evil-doers may become the ones who are in charge of punishing. That is, whenever a government loses faith in itself to such an extent as to wish to derive its right of rule not from that inherent in power itself (and this is a paradox or circular, I know) and instead asks its subjects to supply its justification, then the situation described by Paul would seem to me to cease to exist. I say that a government could be imagined that questions authority itself by making an appeal to reason or at least to the people's consent, for instance, for its justification. Let me also point out that a people's consent is always implicit in any government -- we consent to be governed simply by not rebelling or forming an uprising -- and to appeal to it or acknowledge it ouright seems to me a redundancy -- a suspicious one. It seems inevitabe to me that whenever even an individual in power finds himself uncertain of his right (and finds it inadequte to justify simply on the fact of his position) then he will soon act out in uncertainty of his authority, soon seeking to please the crowd who he was expected to rule over. I hope I have been clear, because I am curious as to what others think about this. Obviously, it has implications for democracies, though not necessarily any one in particular.
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 6:52:30 PM
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modu
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Death penalty is morally, socially and spiritually wrong. It is not a good measure of strength, neither does it settle the issue of crime. It is just the bloody thirst of some (sorry for the harsh language) to feel that killing a criminal would emotionally smoothen their pains. No one should encourage crime. As fact, society should be very firm on crime, but must address the issue from the point of civilized solution and not to bend and follow the narrow path of the criminal tendencies itself. Anyone that support death penalty is in support of organized killing. Society for no reason must not be a murderer and supporting such is wrong. Again, we are not professing weakness. Society or the laws must never be weak, but true strength if anyone truly wants to know comes from the inside. When you forgive and help the criminal to recover their true value and position, you have used one stone to kill many birds. One, you have save a life and may have turn the light to a generation that would bless the world and two, the true enemy is disgraced and exposed, who is the evil spirit. Let us concentrate more on how to fight the evil spirit out of our systems by encouraging good values and taking godly positions. Hate the sin (evil spirit) and not the sinner (criminal). Strength is to give life and not to take life. The criminal was wrong for whatever he or she did, but society must show example of what is right by doing the right thing. Punish the criminal severely within civilized laws, not to kill. vmodu.com
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 7:31:25 PM
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colliefan
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quote:
Anyone that support death penalty is in support of organized killing. Society for no reason must not be a murderer and supporting such is wrong. It is NOT murder because the criminal is NOT innocent. Again. how to you interepret Romans 13?
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 7:34:22 PM
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colliefan
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quote:
Let us concentrate more on how to fight the evil spirit out of our systems by encouraging good values and taking godly positions Where does this evil spirit come from and do you believe man is inherently good?
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:01:52 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: skypainter07 After a number of years of not being sure about capital punishment I finally came to the conclusion through prayer and deep contemplation that if I'm Pro-Life and believe in the sanctity of life as a whole, then I cannot support capital punishment. I am opposed to violence; which includes aggressive warfare, gang violence, domestic violence, abortion, etc. etc. I'm also in favor of compassionate counseling, healing, ministering to and reaching out to the oppressed, many of whom have committed acts of violence. The bottom line is that I can't justify murder for murder by anything I read in Jesus' teachings. He taught passionately about forgiveness, mercy and grace. The core message is that though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow. I would rather err on the side of forgiveness by locking murders up and keeping them away from society - allowing a period of repentance if it will come from that person - than to kill them. We must protect our communities and we must offer punishment that fits the crime, but God is the final judge and He says that revenge belongs to Him. Blessings, skypainter07 Calling the biblical just punishment for murder, murder is a direct indictment of God and those He has ordained and at times commanded to take justly take life… John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:03:58 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way quote:
ORIGINAL: bob97 We must recognize that God has given the government the authority to determine when capital punishment is due (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-7). Bob We must also recognize that just because God has given governments such authority, it does not mean that they will choose to do what is right in God's eyes. cf. Nazi Germany, Darfur, etc. Regardless of that is more than obvious truth(which God more certainly understood prior to ordaining civil government's and their duties) doesn't remove the fact the bible clearly states the just punishment for murder is death... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:05:19 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way quote:
ORIGINAL: colliefan quote:
We must also recognize that just because God has given governments such authority, it does not mean that they will choose to do what is right in God's eyes. cf. Nazi Germany, Darfur, etc Yes, and when they fail to act in accordance with God's guidelines they must be overthrown. If need be, by force. That may not be necessarily accurate either, as we are to submit to authority, as all authority comes from God, but I think that's a topic for another thread. We are to submit to what is lawful... We to honor the king, yet we are to FEAR God... God's law is supreme... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:08:32 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: 19ramman85 This is one - "Christian", who doesn't really- "Care", one way or the other if it is a - "Christian", whatever. From my viewpoint- the death penalty is a useless peice of punishment. Meaning- the only person it is detering from committing another violent and or heinous act- is the perpetrator. That's it! I laugh at people- who have this misconception- that if we enforce/impose the death penalty- we wouldn't have so much crime. Yeah, right- and I have some property for sale- you might be interested in! Explain this you people who are -"For", the death penalty; if the death penalty was soooooooo effective- then why is the violent/heinous crime rate about the same, in pro and con death penalty States? And do you really - "think", someone; who comes from a bad part of town and or family- where the morals are as few as cops, who is Hell-bent on whatever (revenge, rape, murder, etc), and all the rest of the evil human nature has to offer- is going to be concerned whether they get the death penalty? You're a - fool, if you believe that the death penalty does much for the crime rate! -charles Death is the just punishment for murder according to the word of God and that doesn't hinge on it detering anyone... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:09:44 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: Butterflytearz 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44 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 What is wrong with life in prison if someone is considered dangerous to society and cannot be rehabilitated? I believe that God gives second chances. Where do you find support for life in prison in God's word? John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:14:55 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: modu Life is sacred. Death penalty is wrong. Through death penalty, the sinner (person) is dealth with but the sin nature (evil spirit) is left unattended. Let us try to approach societal defects from the inside to the outside. When society takes life as punishment for any crime, then society is only satisfying the plot of the adversary; the agent of death. David murder Goliath? Joshua was a mass murderer of men, women, and children? Moses and others took the sword to thousands who didn't choose God and served somebody other than God? You seem to have a dilemma on your hands... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:16:58 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doer quote:
ORIGINAL: HisFish quote:
ORIGINAL: doer personally for me, killing is wrong no matter what the circumstance is. I don't have the 'killing is okay' gene. But I do understand that the government that God had put into place has made killing okay in some situations. I will never think it is okay. I sure hope you dont mean that if an intruder into your home is intent on killing your loved ones, God forbid. I hope you will never be a loved one in my house... .but even if you were the intruder, you would be a loved in my house. How does one love those in their home when they would let another kill them? I believe the 5th Commandment doesn't allow that... If murder is wrong, how is allowing murder ok? John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:18:53 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 1love1God1way quote:
ORIGINAL: colliefan For those who oppose the death penalty, what would you do with Ossama Bin Landen should be caught? Does he deserve the death penalty? What about others that masterminded 9/11? Not repay murder with murder. Someone being justly put to death isn't murder.. The THIEF who was promised Paradise justly recieved his due reward, death at the hand's of the God ordained civil government... The ordained minister of His wrath for those who do evil... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:24:00 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: draexo Is this not so simple? We all know the story. John 8:7 But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." That's not what it's all about... WHY did they bring her to Christ? For judgment? NO... To accuse Him... John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. They didn't bring her for judgment... They didn't do so according to the law regarding witnesses... It was a perversion of justice for the sole purpose to accuse Christ using the law... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:28:15 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: BlackCapnHarlock quote:
ORIGINAL: HisFish Consider what paul says here: "For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar." Acts 25:11 Notice, he agrees that if he were guilty of anything deserving of death that he has no complaint against it. If he thought the death penalty were wrong here was the time to preach against it. The Apostle John also taught that you reap what you sow: ...he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Rev. 13:10 And this from Numbers: 'Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death... So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.' Num. 35:31-33 God, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We're not under the old testament anymore. Good new testament points. What does that mean? What has been revoked? Matthew 15 1. Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4. For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6. And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Jesus didn't revoke the penalty in the above... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:31:55 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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quote:
ORIGINAL: draexo quote:
ORIGINAL: colliefan It is because we are created in the image of God that we oppose abortion because it involves the taking of an innocent life. But there are some crimes so heinous, the only justice is the death penalty and life in prison is an injust sentence. So in YOUR eyes some crimes are more heinous. But in God's eyes, they all are - Christianity 101 - "We all have sinned". In God's eyes we are ALL deserving of death (the wages of sin are death). And as a human being, I understand that I would prefer to send some criminals on their way to meet their maker much faster than would naturally occur. But let us remember one heinous criminal in particular by the name of Jeffrey Dahmer who claimed to be born again in prision. Is God's forgiveness limited to petty crimes? How many crimes are worse than Dahmer's? Yet he was not executed. He was saved in prision and resides with God in heaven now. Eternally they are the same, but temporally they are not... For instance... Christ said the following... Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. He doesn't say that about everyone... As well... Matthew 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. More... John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:39:05 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: doer I completely accept it. and as for the John 8 comment you made....... the death penalty was only with permission by the Romans. (right?) and for a Jew, this very much was a test concerning the law for Jesus.(John 8:5 "Now in the Law Moses commanded ...") it was not the roman law. it had everything to do with a test of Christ's allegiance to the law of Moses. and "let him who is without sin...." Jesus was the only one there who was without sin. He didn't say "don't stone her"..... he did say "stone her if you are without sin" Verse six... Why was she there in the first place? For judgment? Nope... It wasn't a righteous judgment... They didn't bring the man and they only brought her in order to accuse Christ... Those who brought her forword broke the Law and that is why Christ said, "stone her if you are without sin" quote:
I was just reading the declaration of independence, and thinking about how unacceptable "destructive to this end" the death sentence our county puts on babies is..... our God given government God doesn't intend His minister of wrath(the civil government) to sanction the murder of the unborn, who unlike a person who commits murder doesn't deserve to be put to death... quote:
for me personally, killing (capital punishment) will never be okay, and if the government legalizes gay marriages, that won't make it okay either. If that's the case you must believe David murdered Goliath and Joshua is a mass murderer of men, women, and children, along with Moses... And of course God who ordered it.... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:42:44 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: terryjohn After just one crime we put a man to death but after so many sins we are forgiven. If we are to do unto others what we would have them do unto us, then the death penalty is not what I want. Actually it shows we have very little faith in mans ability to rehabilitate himself and even less faith in Gods ability to do the samething. If the fear of hell or the death penalty will not restrain the madness of men then surely the love of God in us will. I have faith in God that no matter what comes His will is done... The death penalty doesn't shorten God's hand... He numbers our days and nothing in the bible even implies that being put to death is going to change that... For the record... I have ZERO faith man can rehabilitate himself... Actually if the fear of God doesn't keep one from taking life unjustly, by all means the state should put them to death... John
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 8:53:34 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: draexo Can anyone point to New Testament scripture that is clearly pro-capital punishment??? Can anyone point to where the capital punishment is revoke in the word of God, old or new??? As for the NT... (I hate doing this... There is nothing that tells us to chop God's word into parts in such a manner...) Matt 5:21-22 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ´Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.´ But I tell you … anyone who says, `You fool!´ will be in danger of the fire of hell." Here Jesus quotes the fifth commandment and claims that he who breaks it is guilty and must be punished. Everyone was familiar with the Old Testament and knew that this meant the death penalty without Jesus having to say it. If Jesus had had another opinion concerning the form of punishment he would have had to clarify it in order for the people to understand that. Jesus then gives a teaching about the meaning of this commandment with a deeper analysis. He does not revoke the literal meaning of the commandment (he defends its validity also in Matt 19:18) but here he brings forth the spirit of the commandment. Even a hateful and evil word – such things that usually precede a murder – aimed at a fellow man will bring a person to hell (Gehenna). If a harsh word to a fellowman means Gehenna according to Jesus, it is easy to realize that Jesus also agreed to the Old Testament’s edict of death for murder. "Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ´Honor your father and mother´ and ´Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death´." Here Jesus quotes the word about the death penalty from the Old Testament (Ex 21:17), and uses it as proof against the scribes. Thus Jesus confirms the validity of the scripture and shows that the words are not only linked to the time of the Old Testament. In this situation Jesus strikes hard at the scribes whom he claims are revoking the commandments of God in order to hold their own laws and statutes. He says to them: "You nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition" (v 6). And "the word of God" in the example that Jesus uses also includes the words concerning the death penalty (v 4). Jesus thereby accuses the scribes for not holding on to the simple and clear commandments about honoring the father and mother and about the capital punishment but instead soften these by making their own laws. This word is therefore a strong and clear acknowledgement by Jesus concerning the justification and validity of the death penalty. It is obvious that if Jesus had been against the death penalty he would not have quoted this scripture and used a commandment for the death penalty as a foundation for his criticism of the scribes. This scripture then confirms that over the Old Testament’s commandment of the capital punishment rests also the spirit of Christ. Luke 23:41 "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." These words were spoken by one of the criminals who were hanging on a cross next to Jesus. The scripture clearly testifies of the legal conscience that people during all times have had. A death-sentenced criminal confesses that the flogging and the death sentence that was imposed on him were "just". And not only that, he himself felt that he "deserved" death. John 19:10-11 "Do you refuse to speak to me? Pilate said. Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered, You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." Jesus indirectly confesses here the authority’s right to be a punishing authority and that that power comes from God. And in this case the power to sentence death by crucifixion. Even though Jesus was innocently convicted he does not question the capital punishment itself. It is not an acknowledgement either, but it comes close. It is worth noticing that Jesus does not, in any time of the gospels, criticize the diligent usage of the death penalty in his time. Not even when he stands before the power personified – Pontius Pilate John 19:10-11 "Do you refuse to speak to me? Pilate said. Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? Jesus answered, You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." Jesus indirectly confesses here the authority’s right to be a punishing authority and that that power comes from God. And in this case the power to sentence death by crucifixion. Even though Jesus was innocently convicted he does not question the capital punishment itself. It is not an acknowledgement either, but it comes close. It is worth noticing that Jesus does not, in any time of the gospels, criticize the diligent usage of the death penalty in his time. Not even when he stands before the power personified – Pontius Pilate Just for the record... Crimes that deserved the death in the Old Testament According to Numb 35:31 there are criminals which "deserves to die". In the Old Testament the following crimes deserved the death penalty: 1. Murder (Gen 9:6, Ex 21:12, Numb 35:16-21). 2. Abuse of father or mother (Ex 21:15). 3. Speaking a curse over parents (Ex 21:17). 4. Blasphemy against God (Lev 24:14-16,23). 5. Breaking the Sabbath (Ex 31:14, Numb 15:32-36). 6. Practicing magic (Ex 22:18). 7. Fortune telling and practicing sorcery (Lev 20:27). 8. Religious people who mislead others to fall away (Deut 13:1-5, 18:20). 9. Adultery and fornication (Lev 20:10-12, Deut 22:22). 10. If a woman has intercourse before marriage (Deut 22:20-21). 11. If two people have intercourse when one of them is engaged. (Deut 22:23-24). 12. The daughter of a priest practicing prostitution (Lev 21:9). 13. Rape of someone who is engaged (Deut 22:25). 14. Having intercourse with animals (Ex 22:19). 15. Worshipping idols (Ex 22:20, Lev 20:1-5, Deut 17:2-7). 16. Incest (Lev 20:11-12, 14, 19-21). 17. Homosexuality (Lev 20:13). 18. Kidnapping (Ex 21:16). 19. To bear false testimony at a trial (Deut 19:16, 19). 20. Contempt of court (Deut 17:8-13).
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RE: Is death penalty a Christian value? - 7/9/2008 9:02:07 PM
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SovereignIsHe
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ORIGINAL: modu Death penalty is morally, socially and spiritually wrong. It is not a good measure of strength, neither does it settle the issue of crime. It is just the bloody thirst of some (sorry for the harsh language) to feel that killing a criminal would emotionally smoothen their pains. No one should encourage crime. As fact, society should be very firm on crime, but must address the issue from the point of civilized solution and not to bend and follow the narrow path of the criminal tendencies itself. Anyone that support death penalty is in support of organized killing. Society for no reason must not be a murderer and supporting such is wrong. Again, we are not professing weakness. Society or the laws must never be weak, but true strength if anyone truly wants to know comes from the inside. When you forgive and help the criminal to recover their true value and position, you have used one stone to kill many birds. One, you have save a life and may have turn the light to a generation that would bless the world and two, the true enemy is disgraced and exposed, who is the evil spirit. Let us concentrate more on how to fight the evil spirit out of our systems by encouraging good values and taking godly positions. Hate the sin (evil spirit) and not the sinner (criminal). Strength is to give life and not to take life. The criminal was wrong for whatever he or she did, but society must show example of what is right by doing the right thing. Punish the criminal severely within civilized laws, not to kill. vmodu.com Really... Spiritually wrong? That's quite a statement given the following... According to Numb 35:31 there are criminals which "deserves to die". In the Old Testament the following crimes deserved the death penalty: 1. Murder (Gen 9:6, Ex 21:12, Numb 35:16-21). 2. Abuse of father or mother (Ex 21:15). 3. Speaking a curse over parents (Ex 21:17). 4. Blasphemy against God (Lev 24:14-16,23). 5. Breaking the Sabbath (Ex 31:14, Numb 15:32-36). 6. Practicing magic (Ex 22:18). 7. Fortune telling and practicing sorcery (Lev 20:27). 8. Religious people who mislead others to fall away (Deut 13:1-5, 18:20). 9. Adultery and fornication (Lev 20:10-12, Deut 22:22). 10. If a woman has intercourse before marriage (Deut 22:20-21). 11. If two people have intercourse when one of them is engaged. (Deut 22:23-24). 12. The daughter of a priest practicing prostitution (Lev 21:9). 13. Rape of someone who is engaged (Deut 22:25). 14. Having intercourse with animals (Ex 22:19). 15. Worshipping idols (Ex 22:20, Lev 20:1-5, Deut 17:2-7). 16. Incest (Lev 20:11-12, 14, 19-21). 17. Homosexuality (Lev 20:13). 18. Kidnapping (Ex 21:16). 19. To bear false testimony at a trial (Deut 19:16, 19). 20. Contempt of court (Deut 17:8-13).
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