Friday, June 19, 2009

Capital Punishment

So, recently, I've gotten into a "discussion" (aka a calm debate) with a friend of mine from school. I love this friend to death, but this friend is extremely, extremely anti-violent. Like, I'm non-violent, but this friend is completely against any form of violence AT ALL.

So, I'm stuck. Because it's a tempting path to choose. Of course, no sane person I think wants violence. Yet, I find myself arguing that we should be violent. And it makes me feel like an awful person. I'm supporting, nay, encouraging the use of violent force. What a horrible person I am. But, wait. Surely, I'm not actually saying these things.

Just for fun, let's look at what I am saying.

I'm saying that in self defense, or in defense of another, I will violently and, yes, even lethally oppose an attacker. I believe that no greater love has any man than this: that he would lay down his life for his friend. And I don't believe this is merely in a passive sense. I would put my life in danger to defend my family or loved ones, and feel completely within the will of God.

I'm saying that I believe there are wars worth fighting. Granted, I think few of the ones going on today are worth fighting, but I do believe that there are and have been wars that served a higher purpose. I mourn the loss of human life, but there are things, great things, that would have never happened had it not been for the sacrifices of so many.

I'm saying that justice is necessary. I think if a man willfully kills another, he deserves no less than his own death. This needs to be quick, painless, and non-torturous. While on trial, a man may repent, and truly feel remorse for his crimes. This has happened multiple times. And I believe that those that have have truly attained salvation. But, the consequences for their actions still stand. Their victims are still dead, families are still destroyed. Crimes and their punishments are laid out in scripture, with capital punishment being one of the punishments prescribed by God Himself. Therefore, I see it as a legitimate punishment.

So, maybe, after all, I'm not supporting violence. Maybe....maybe I'm just giving myself and others enough grace to realize that violence exists, sadly, but not all is unnecessary. Maybe, just maybe, I'm not crazy after all..............

.......nahhhhh.