Mark & Juanita wrote:
On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 15:46:21 GMT, jo4hn wrote:


Mark & Juanita wrote:

On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 16:27:43 -0600, Prometheus
wrote:

... snip

I'm for the death penalty. It just always seemed very odd to me that
someone can hate abortion in the name of life, and then sanction the
killing of criminals (aside from yourself, as stated above). If Texas
governors don't have the power to pardon death-row inmates, then of
course my statement above is not valid.



How does this seem inconsistent? The death penalty is applied as a
consequence of actions perpetrated by the one being so punished, assuring
that said person will no longer pose a threat to society. The killing
perpetrated in abortion is the consequence of another's actions being
carried out against an innocent life; similar to killing the child of a
murderer rather than killing the one who committed the murder. I have
never understood the rationale of the argument that if one opposes abortion
that it is inconsistent to support the death penalty.

... snip

It probably has something to do with a proscription in the bibles of
several religions. In the Christian King James version it is "Thou
shalt not kill".
mahalo,
jo4hn


A better translation of the original languages is, "Thou shalt not
murder". However, that is misapplication of a proscription to individuals
being applied to the state. There are numerous citations, in both Old and
New Testaments in which the power of life and death is granted to the state
for the sake of preserving civil order. For example, "... But if you do
wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing ..." in Romans
13 which talks about submission to the authorities.

What seems more inconsistent is those who are pro-abortion and against
the death penalty. In the former case, they cede the right to kill an
innocent life for the consequences of the action of someone else, while in
the latter, they decry the killing of someone as a consequence for having
taken an innocent life.

Ah. So the Bible should read something like "Thou shalt not take the
life of a human being (anything that is two cells or more that is or has
even the remotest possibility of becoming a viable sentient life form)
unless any government sanctions it". The latter covers your ass for war
and other governmental foolishness. OK. Now I understand.
mahalo,
jo4hn