No possible defence of Saddam but would Jesus advise executing him? One is either a Christian or one isn't and I honestly don't think there's much debate about the true Christian stance regarding execution/murder.
I don't think Christianity is a social doctrine and I do believe in retributive justice. Someone who takes another's life ought to be made forfeit his own. In the case of mass murder especially that certainly seems just.
Sorry about the delay, Frank. I'm not sure I can understand how Christianity is not a social doctrine. It must be the be all and end all regarding how one lives one's life. Of course if we accept execution as permissable then Saddam H would merit it, but in terms of rating actions, I would rate execution as a demonic one.
Hi Andrew, Sorry for the delayed response. I have always thought that Jesus' admonition to render unto Caesar, etc. was the first statement in history arguing for a certain degree of separation between church and state. Jesus is critical of the leaders of Israel (the priests and Pharisess) and that day's version of the chattering classes (the scribes), but he never seems to get involved in any dispute over the Roman occupation and seems to have got on well with at least one centurion. That's why I don't infer from his teachings any sociopolitical agenda. I don't think the death penalty should be imposed indiscriminantly, but it seems to me that there are some crimes that warrant it, Saddam's crimes being among such.
No possible defence of Saddam but would Jesus advise executing him? One is either a Christian or one isn't and I honestly don't think there's much debate about the true Christian stance regarding execution/murder.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Christianity is a social doctrine and I do believe in retributive justice. Someone who takes another's life ought to be made forfeit his own. In the case of mass murder especially that certainly seems just.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the delay, Frank. I'm not sure I can understand how Christianity is not a social doctrine. It must be the be all and end all regarding how one lives one's life. Of course if we accept execution as permissable then Saddam H would merit it, but in terms of rating actions, I would rate execution as a demonic one.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delayed response. I have always thought that Jesus' admonition to render unto Caesar, etc. was the first statement in history arguing for a certain degree of separation between church and state. Jesus is critical of the leaders of Israel (the priests and Pharisess) and that day's version of the chattering classes (the scribes), but he never seems to get involved in any dispute over the Roman occupation and seems to have got on well with at least one centurion. That's why I don't infer from his teachings any sociopolitical agenda.
I don't think the death penalty should be imposed indiscriminantly, but it seems to me that there are some crimes that warrant it, Saddam's crimes being among such.