It is reported that members of a jury in Texas used the Bible (as an inspiration and a law book, it appears) to sentence a man to his death. What are the dangers in replacing the legislation of the land with the (selective?) rules of a sacred text?
If we use one sacred text should we not allow those people of other faiths use their sacred texts or sacred legislations (i.e. Sharia law) when reaching a court verdict? These are only two of many other questions that arise from this case and should give us Christians food for thought.
See also this item on Amnesty International site.
….And the funny part is that the Bible supports the idea.
There is another funny thing. The same people that are for killing unborn babies and old people through eutanasia are invariably AGAINST death penalty for murderers arguing that we may kill innocents.
In Stalin’s Russia death penalty was abolished and I guess all 60 million people killed were accidents.
As also the bible supports stoning to death the adulterous! I am afraid your statements in this response are unsubstantiated and appear as cliches. Not sure you can state that death penalty was abolished in the Soviet Union under Stalin. Things were not as clear cut as you want us to believe.
It is also disingenuous to link death penalty with abortion. One can turn the tables around and argue that the anti abortionist brigade (or incorrectly ‘pro-life’, are in majority supporting death penalty).
You do not need to turn the table. Yes that majority supports death penalty for people who viciously kill their fellow men. And is not incorrectly to call them “pro life”. Yes they want to protect life from those who are taking it away, abortionists killers, liberal democrats… Sorry I got carried away.
Incorrectly named are “pro choice”. Choice of what? Choice to kill unborn babies? Why are they not “pro choice” for schools for teaching alt theories, creation, evolution, intelligent design etc.?
With due respect Octi from your comments I can infer that you don’t seem to be opened to dialogue but you seem to come from an ideological position – for example qualifying liberal democrats the way you just did – and in my opinion grossly misrepresenting them.
I have also learned that life is more nuanced, rather than black and white, as some people would seem to suggest.
Ulen you are right. I come from an ideological and moral position. You don’t??? The question still remains who’s position is correct? I think mine is correct and yours is wrong.
What do you think?
My ideological position is that I think I might be wrong about things and I stand out to be corrected. That is why I am open to learning, to dialogue, to be challenged, to be corrected, etc… I have changed my mind about things in the past and I expect to change my mind again.
I was once in the (de)illusionary state where I thought I knew it all. But thanks goodness that eventually I came to the realisation that I am only human, and to be human is to err (to paraphrase a well known English saying).
Nelu
You do not need to tank me for giving you the correct perspective. I am glad you are open to learning. The thing is, you cannot stay in an “open mind” position to long. You may have to close your mind on some truths. Other wise your mind may fall of. So I challenge you to close your mind on Jesus, and you will find that you shall know the truth and the truth shell set you free. Free from the (de) illusionary state of liberalism, ( a mental disorder).
Thanks for the advice. It was actually Jesus that made me open my mind, it was Jesus that challenged my dogmatism (as he challenged the dogmatism of those in his time), and this has made me free! A freedom that I did not experience while I was under the illusion that ‘I was right’ and everyone who didn’t believe like me (us) was wrong. Look Octi, whatever you might think, I assure you that I don’t have a mental disorder (check with my GP – actually I find your expressions pretty offensive, but never mind I am trying again). I however would like to suggest that where you come from (right wing, conservative evangelical, fundamentalism) is a system of thought that makes one slave to it. One that is under that system is not free to believe (not to say think), or even experience the freedom that Christ gives. One is conditioned to believe that the only way to truth is through a certain reading, certain dogma, etc. Now you are talking to someone that has been under that system for many years, but now is free. The process of decontamination, though was hard, and at times painful, but I assure you it was worth it.
I am sorry to say but the way you seem to engage is in cliches and phrases that are thrown about cheaply, and generalisations that are off the mark. It sadness me to say that as I look at these statements I see myself a few years back regurgitating what I have been conditioned to believe.
I am not sure what you think. You may think you are right but like you said “I think I might be wrong about things and I stand out to be corrected” and “I have changed my mind about things in the past and I expect to change my mind again.”
So let’s see if you agree with me. Maybe we think the same but we don’t know.
Do you agree with:
1. Abortion, or killing of unborn?
2. Euthanasia for old sick people?
3. Death penalty for convicted murderers?
4. Marriage between a men and a woman only?
Here are my bible dogmatic answers:
1. No
2. No
3. Yes
4. Yes
I expect yours brother.
Nelu
I however would like to suggest that where you come from (left wing, liberal evangelical, tree huger,) is a system of thought that makes one slave to it. One that is under that system is not free to believe (not to say think), or even experience the freedom that Christ gives. One is conditioned to believe that the only way to truth is through a certain reading, certain dogma, etc
I am sorry to say but the way you seem to engage is in cliches and phrases that are thrown about cheaply, and generalisations that are off the mark. It sadness me to say that as I look at these statements I see myself a few years back (when I was 8 years old) regurgitating what I have been conditioned to believe.
I am sorry to analyze you in such a harsh terms but I needed to teach you a lesson in patronizing.
I am sorry Octi, but I feel that under anonymity you feel you can treat anyone as you like. From now on you may not post comments here that are rude. I feel you treat me and Gordon with disrespect. I think you should apologise for your rudeness.
Brother Nelu,
You are a patient man. If you could put up with my direct style for so long that is a true statement. I would not have continued like this forever but sometimes I like to push tings up a little. I apologize and ask for forgiveness.
It is true that I am conservative evangelical right wing republican that loves Jesus. And if you love Jesus you are my brother in Christ. All other things we will sort them when we meet on a “golden street at a table of rubin drinking together from the new wine”.
His Name Be Praised
Your brother
Octi
P.S. I apologized to Gordon and I will pray for him from now one.