Little Girl Kills Intruders
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- mrdobolina0
what is the positive of the death penalty?
- mrdobolina0
If killing is so wrong, how can it ever be right?
- gramme0
I disagree.
Would it be possible for you to separate your religion from your political opinions, seeing as not everyone shares that view and maybe you should respect that? I mean, we give you off for Christmas and stuff... ;)
Or is that an outlandish request?
mrdobolina
(May 2 07, 15:24)I actually do believe in a healthy separation of church and state. For example, I don't think it's a good idea for governments to sponsor Christian schools, as Bush proposed a while back. It's biased. However, I don't think it's right to try and drive Christianity out of the public arena altogether as many people (such as the ACLU, for example) have been trying to do.
That being said, our justice system was founded on biblical principals. So we can't separate morality too far from politics, or we end up with no morals at all.
For the record, I respect your difference of opinion. It's part of why I even entertain these discussions at all.
- Crouwel0
that's a moving story. i am sorry to hear that about your aunt but i am glad she overcame hate and fear and was brave enough to pay him a visit. it is hard but it seems to help both parties a lot.
and i never said i am against punishment as a whole. as long as it gives people a chance to become introspective and rediscover their good side that may have gone lost a long time ago.
death penalty will never give them that chance. even if it's serial murderers, who should, even in my opinion, never be released again, should at least be given a chance to find spirituality or religion within the confinements of prison. as happens here, a lot, if not all, prisons have chapels and such.
i am not religios, i am however somewhat spiritual, and my personal belief is that we should never decide over the life of another person, not even if said person did so himself before.
- mrdobolina0
well thanks for "entertaining these responses", that makes me laugh.
How exactly is our justice system based on christian principals, and if you say anything about swearing on the bible, I got you already.
- gramme0
what is the positive of the death penalty?
mrdobolina
(May 2 07, 15:34)The sanctity of life is upheld. Because life is so valuable, the punishment is equal to the crime.
Gotta run, will discuss this more later.
- Crouwel0
last thing before i go to bed,
what i never understood and probably may never understand, that religious people who believen God is the one to decide over our fate are pro-death penalty, which basically means that people take up the role of God. They put themselves into a position of rising above humanity and lay down its decisions on human beings who in fact are always equal.
anyway, it is a bit philosophical perhaps, gramme, but i just can never find any sense in these sort of human led dogmatic religions.
i need sleep now! g'nite!
:)
- mrdobolina0
"sanctity of life"
buzzword alert.
what about the sanctity of the murderer's life? All life is precious right?
- Crouwel0
very very last comment on this..
i once read in a Dutch article here that another fundamental reason against death penalty is relatives, for instance the mother of the murderer, who can not ALWAYS be held responsible for the kids behaviour but is being put (like other relatives or loved ones) in a situation of intense pain and mourning.
the death penalty only creates more misery.
the negative effects are so innumerably greater then the positive aspects.
i can not believe a sane person can say otherwise.
ok. i am OUT!
g'nite.
- mrdobolina0
couldn't agree more, janne. have a good night.
- virtu0
My apologies on posting a bogus story. Saw it on Digg, which strangely enough, validated it to me.
My bad. I never would have guessed this post would grow so large.
- jevad0
IF ITS ON THE INTERNET IT MUST BE TRUE!!!!13333333
- Crouwel0
Weeeeeeeeerd!
- pascii0
gun-nuts
- kelpie0
omg, the comments on that site.
I'm afraid.
- gramme0
what i never understood and probably may never understand, that religious people who believen God is the one to decide over our fate are pro-death penalty, which basically means that people take up the role of God. They put themselves into a position of rising above humanity and lay down its decisions on human beings who in fact are always equal.
anyway, it is a bit philosophical perhaps, gramme, but i just can never find any sense in these sort of human led dogmatic religions.
i need sleep now! g'nite!
:)
Crouwel
(May 2 07, 15:42)I guess it depends to a large degree on what actions we consider to be within the realm of acceptable practice for governments. In other words, I agree that as individuals we never have the right to take another human life. Not even in the case of Kevorkian's aided suicides, but that is another can of worms...however in my opinion: the right to grant or take away life based on huilt or innocence in a case of murder, is within the acceptable realm of jurisdiction for justice systems.
I believe the sentence should be carried out quickly without any torture or prolonging of pain. I think that while prisoners are on death row, we should absolutely exhaust all available resources in trying to rehabilitate them. There are many psychological and religious programs in prisons across the country that work hard to reach these men and women.
I hate the idea that a death penalty may be necessary in order to enforce justice. I do believe though that it is a necessary evil in a corrupt world where murder happens. You would never find me cheering from the sidelines at an execution. You would find me grieving for the tragedy of the crime and the pain of those who lose loved ones. It is not my job to take away the life of a convicted killer, nor to seek vengeance in any way. I think it is a responsibility/burden to be laid exclusively upon the shoulders of the judicial branch of government. I have the utmost respect for those consciencious judges that are still out there, and the horrible weight of the decisions they are often faced with.
So to sum up I think this question is what it comes down to: should governments, instituted by law, be allowed to take away the life of someone who has taken the life of another person?
As I said yesterday, I can see the validity of both points. I have my opinions on the matter, although I am not 100% sure which view is the correct one. I can see reasons based on how one interprets the Bible's take on the sanctity of life that could support either position.
So, you won't hear me calling heresy upon anyone who disagrees with me on this issue. It's certainly a tough one.
Crouwel, just so you know...I studied psychology in college, and my father, who I am very close with, holds a degree in psychology. I understand some things about the human psyche (although I do not claim to be an expert). Where we depart is our belief about human nature, whether people are inherently good or bad. I believe that people are inherently bad, and that good things, really good things like the hungry being fed and people turning the other cheek when insulted or injured, are motivated by an outside spiritual force that enables people to rise above their fallen state. Thus, I believe nobody is too far gone.
Dobs, I meant no condescension by saying I "entertain these discussions." What I mean is that I am willing to engage with you in discussing because I respect you as a person. That's the trouble with the typed word, nuances can't be detected...
- gramme0
*based on guilt or innocence, i meant
- barbtastic0
this kid is my protégé
- mrdobolina0
Janne had it all right last night.
Imagine the suffering of the executed's family and you will see there is absolutely no benefit to the death penalty other than divine retribution.
Sorry but the U.S. government should not be an instrument of religion. Simple and plain.
- flavorful0
200!