|
|
|
|
brie k
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
|
| Back to top
|
|
 Posted: 02/19/05 - 14:46 Post subject: Christians (or believers) a question for a term paper
I'm writing for my Theology class. I have to say whether I think, based on scripture, articles, books, etc., Jesus would be for or against capital punishment (CP).
Now, I know what the Old Testament says regarding justice, and I've read the scriptures where Jesus says to love thy neighbor, forgive, etc. My problem though is wondering if He would want the Old Testament laws to be followed.
So I'm curious, what do you think? Not how YOU feel about CP, but how you think Jesus (not God, but Jesus) would feel about it.
This is purely academic, please keep that in mind. 
Thanks for your help!!!
|
|
|
|
|
copteacher
Adjunct
|
|
|
Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 02/19/05 - 15:09 Post subject:
You asked for my opinion so here it is:
God establishes judges over us. The people make laws, judges make ruling based on the law.
There is a sense in the Bible of justice and if the law says the sentence for murder/crime is death, then the justice aspect is death.
God is a just God and does allow His people to make laws.
I have spoken with Biblical Scholars on this because of my background, and that is a short summary of what they told me.
|
|
|
|
|
brie k
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 02/19/05 - 15:38 Post subject:
| rtpd113 wrote: | You asked for my opinion so here it is:
God establishes judges over us. The people make laws, judges make ruling based on the law.
There is a sense in the Bible of justice and if the law says the sentence for murder/crime is death, then the justice aspect is death.
God is a just God and does allow His people to make laws.
I have spoken with Biblical Scholars on this because of my background, and that is a short summary of what they told me. |
Thank you. This is pretty much where my paper is going. Heaven help me though, because 1) my prof is a Sister, and 2) the Catholic church (the church doctrine itself, not all followers necessarily) is against capital punishment. She won't like what I have to say, but hopefully she will grade me fairly.
|
|
|
|
|
andydp
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 23 Sep 2003
Posts: 8122
Location: Upstate NY near Albany
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 02/19/05 - 22:00 Post subject:
I would think there is some precedent for Jesus not being for capital punishment. Reading the story about the adulteress they were going to stone to death. Jesus posed the question "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone". Then he forgave the woman and told her to sin no more.
Then again when he cast out the money lenders from the Temple Jesus had no qualms about using physical violence to remove them.
Like many things in life, this question is highly dependent on the situation. I do not think the Catholic church had much to say about the execution of WWII War criminals.
|
|
|
|
|
brie k
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/15/05 - 18:34 Post subject:
I wanted to revisit this to tell you guys that I did write the paper according to my view, and I received an A-. The day of our midterm (almost 2 weeks ago) she told me I would either receive an A- or a B+, and I told her we should shoot for the A-. She listened. 
Anyhoo, thanks again for your perspectives.
|
|
|
|
|
gretriever
Hipster Doofus
|
|
|
Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19383
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 03/16/05 - 16:15 Post subject:
| brie k wrote: | | ...she told me I would either receive an A- or a B+, and I told her we should shoot for the A-.. |
Clever choice of words, considering the topic.
Congrats, Brie!
|
|
|
|
