There are many questions that American society feels it has reached an intellectually correct and emotionally satisfying answer. It is a part of what we call “progress”, some would even call it a part of our evolution to a higher level of life.
That’s partly why I don’t understand our lagging behind other advanced countries resolving the question of capital punishment. There are only a few countries that persist in this form of punishment for crime, none of whom we would want to emulate otherwise. So, we continue to act out a tragicomedy at the prisons whenever there is an execution, a macabre dance of the absurd.
One group holds candles and prays quietly while a few yards away a placard-carrying group shouts further denunciation on the victim.
One group calls for justice while the other calls for mercy. No one changes their mind and the actors will reassemble at the next scheduled execution.
I call it absurd because legalized murder is still taking a life. From my perspective, giving and taking of life is divine right, only. If God had wanted us to use capital punishment to deal with murders, the book of Genesis in the Bible would have been the ideal place to teach it. Genesis 4 records how God dealt with the first murderer. Cain received a physical mark that identified him as a murderer and the whole community recognized it.
A lasting punishment without a parole system, that’s better than adding to the murders committed. Murder is such a serious crime. God says in several places, “it is mine to avenge, I will repay.” (Romans 12:19)
The heavy matter of final disposition of every case is in the hands of the Righteous Judge. Spiritual people ought to find a peaceful resolution. Churches ought to be strong towers affirming life and never joining the world in the lust for blood revenge.
“Jesus, Son of God, You taught us to love and forgive our enemies and
to be agents of healing in this broken world. Remind us again of this! Amen”
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