Holman 3700 Rm 8U7
Atmore AL 36503 3700
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Capital punishment is not advocated
by the word of God, as many seem to believe that it is. I have read
several quotations from the Old Testament, that were offered as evidence
that the word of God advocates, or perhaps requires, capital punishment,
prove only that many do not even understand what the word of God is, let
alone what that word might have to say on "any given subject."
Many fail to comprehend one of the
most basic of Christian truths, that the books of the Bible, especially
those of the Old Testament, are not the word of God; they merely point
to the word. Jesus Christ is the one, true and definitive Word of
God to all mankind. All holy scripture, especially the writing of
the books of the Old Testaments, must be seen in the light of, and judged
by, the true Word of God, who is Jesus Christ.
Divorcing texts of scripture, especially
those of the Old Testament, from the living Word of God is dangerous and
frequently leads to perverse, even evil interpretations of holy scripture.
Many would take St. Paul's admonition to slaves to obey their masters to
mean that the word of God sanctions slavery?? As a matter of historical
and tragic fact, some of many ill and mentality have so taken it!!!
Adultery, under the Mosaic law, which
many sees as the word of God, was punishable by death. Yet we encounter
the true Word of God in the gospels saving the life of an adulteress who
was about to be executed by some of the devotees of the Mosaic law, in
the manner prescribed by the Mosaic law.
Many stand exactly in the same relationship
to both the grievous offender as the Mosaic law that those whom Jesus stopped
from stoning the adulteress stood. They, too, were devoted to the
Mosaic law. But according to the gospels, they allowed the true word
of God to enlighten their hearts and understanding, something many believers
has apparently not allowed to happen. I must say once more that Jesus
Christ is the Word of God, not one of, nor all, the books of the Bible.
I further submit that many believers
was compelled "to speak out directly to all people everywhere who oppose
the idea of capital punishment" by a want of charity and a vengeful, legalistic
spirit that are antithetical to the gospel, and not by the Holy Spirit,
who speaks to us always as Christ, His teachings, His life, His practices,
and His loves.
I also find it most troubling that
so many believers professes to be Christian and to speak in the name of
Christianity on the subject of capital punishment expresses no concern
for the vast and ubiquitous corruption carelessness and negligence that
riddle out entire criminal justice system, thus almost guaranteeing that
innocent people will be convicted, imprisoned and even executed, as well
as guilty people going free.
Please remember that we have an adversarial
legal system that is not primarily concerned with whether a person is truly
innocent or guilty. Remember also that the vast majority of those accused
of capital crimes in this country are too poor to pay an attorney to defend
them, thus must their lives be defended by public defenders, who are usually
overworked, and often have but little interest in any particular case.
I will always go on record as being
absolutely opposed to capital punishment because it is brutal and totally
uncivilized and unworthy of a civilized nation of people. Each execution
adds more violence and bloodshed to a nation that is already drowning in
a deep sea of bloodshed and violence.
The civilized sensibilities of the
American people are already daily assaulted by the violence and bloodshed
of criminals and by the corruption and scandalous misdeeds of public officials
of every branch of government at every level. State killings, which
executions are, only further wound the civilized conscience of America,
which I like to think is still struggling to survive.
To all of the advocates of capital
punishment I should like to say finally, sit down and make a list of the
countries in the world that you most admire, those that you consider to
be the most civilized, those that you consider to offer the highest quality
of life to all their people, etc.
Then make a list of the countries that
have capital punishment and those that have abolished capital punishment.
Compare the two lists they will make powerful statements about capital
punishment, and about this nation and about yourself as a believer!!!
Freddie Lee Wright #Z 389
Holman 3700 Rm 8U7
Atmore AL 36503 3700
| Return to Freddie Lee Wright's Homepage |
