John Kerry

[InHisHands381]

I guess you and I have different ideals about the words "just" and "murder" then....
I feel that if that life can safely be spared, it is not a God-given right to kill them. If they kill them anyway, then it becomes murder.

[Guest Aluigi]

they deserve that punishment though. just like the Good Theif and the Bad Theif deserved their punishments, so too does any murderer deserve execution. they should be spared out of mercy when another option is available- yes- but that doesn't mean they don't deserve execution. you kill someone you forfeit your own life- basic biblical principle. Catholic Teaching has always placed the judgement of whether to take this forfeited life or to spare it in the hands of the state.

[hyperdulia again]

The death penalty as used in this country at this moment is racist in application and morally repugnant even its theoretical ideal.

Abortion is a greater evil. It is always a greater evil to kill the innocent and the helpless than to kill the guilty.

But all creatures will answer to God for the Blood they have spilled.

I don't see Mr. Bush as a champion of human life, but I see Mr Kerry as its enemy. They both have blood on their hands and I think a few centuries ago they both would have been dispatched as bloodthirsty heretics who constituted a major threat to the Bride of Christ and Her interests.

[InHisHands381]

[quote name='hyperdulia again' date='Dec 12 2004, 01:30 PM'] Abortion is a greater evil. It is always a greater evil to kill the innocent and the helpless than to kill the guilty. [/quote]
I think both are horribly evil

[Winchester]

Inhishands:

You may take rape lightly, I don't. You may think of rape as a lesser crime. Fine. Don't stand between me and someone who rapes my wife or child and you'll be just fine.

[InHisHands381]

[quote name='Winchester' date='Dec 12 2004, 01:39 PM'] Inhishands:

You may take rape lightly, I don't. You may think of rape as a lesser crime. Fine. Don't stand between me and someone who rapes my wife or child and you'll be just fine. [/quote]
I'm sorry if this is a touchy subject for you. I did not mean in any way to lessen the gravity of rape. I was merely saying that it does not occur in prisons as much as some may think. And as for my disagreeing with the death penalty for rapists, I don't agree with the death penalty in most cases...

[MagiDragon]

[quote name='Micheal5403' date='Dec 12 2004, 12:01 AM']
What is considered "just" killing.  What happened to "Thou shall not kill" and "love thy enemies".[/quote]
the commandment 'thou shalt not kill.' is more accurately translated as 'thou shalt not murder.' or don't kill the innocent.

as others have pointed out, murderers have been judged to be guilty of a grave crime. Once that is done, it is no longer possible for the state to 'murder' the guilty party.

that's old testament style, NT implies a little more respect for all human life, but it doesn't deny the legitimacy of the death penalty.

when the pope spoke about it not being justified to kill a person who is imprisoned, it was his fallible opinion. he can be wrong on this. in this case i think he was: a crime lord is caught and thrown in jail for life. can he get out? no. can he contact the outside world? not directly. he *can* however find indirect routes to contact the outside world and have people killed at his command. in this case, the person should recieve the death penalty.

it's a dumb idea to say that the state should not have access to the death penalty. what happens when the rare exception comes along and we can't kill the guy, and we can't stop him from murdering? we just let him carry on his murders? Be reasonable! The state *should* have the ability to take life if necessary.

That said, i don't think the death penalty should be used very often. Only in extreme cases. Perhaps once a decade in the US. BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE BANNED!!!!!

As for the second part of your question: it is merciful to punish those that would otherwise harm others. Mercy involves correction, not just a lack of punishment. If we truly love our children, we punish them for doing wrong so that they learn to do good. If the state truly loves its children, it will use punishment as a deterrant.

I hope that answers everything,
Peace,
Joe

[InHisHands381]

[quote]i don't think the death penalty should be used very often. Only in extreme cases. Perhaps once a decade in the US. BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE BANNED!!!!!
[/quote]
MagiDragon:
You read my thoughts...you just said it a little better than me

I hope I haven't been sounding like I completely, 100% hate the death penalty. Thinking about it now, I think I may have. I think there are *some* cases...but very very few...where capital punishment is necessary. I just think it is highly overdone and I believe in the majority of cases, there are better ways to "punish" someone for their wrongdoings.

[MagiDragon]

[quote name='InHisHands381' date='Dec 12 2004, 09:34 PM'] MagiDragon:
You read my thoughts...you just said it a little better than me [/quote]
thank you *bows*