Bringing criminals to justice,is that forgiveness?

[kbwall]

It would be nice if it were enough to just accept apologies from criminals and hope they’ve learned what they did was wrong. But it would be naive/stupid to believe this is how the world actually works. That is why we have a justice system.

 

[JRKH]

I would like to ask about the criminals who hid the criminals. They are not apologizing for their crimes, they are apologizing for the crimes of others. I believe that the men who abused the children are sick. But the men who hid them are arrogant, are corrupt. They are far worse than the abusers because they allowed it to continue. The put their institution above the precious lives of children. There is no excuse for that. And as of yet, I have heard no apology.

You have not said it, but may I assume you are referring to the abuse scandal in the Church?
If this is the case - and you “have heard no apology” - you must not have been listening…The Church has made multiple apology on this issue.

That said, I do agree that those who hide criminals are guilty of criminal activity themselves…

Peace
James

 

[Jaypeeto4]

**1899 The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."17 **

This teaching is true, but should we take it in an absolute sense?
I think even the church would say no.

First of all, that would mean that once the Nazi’s took power,
their judicial system, filthy and demonic in origin as it was,
had been “instituted by God.”
I don’t believe THAT for a minute. Nor the the authorities of the old SOVIET system, either, for they were godless monsters, evil to the core.

And now, our “justice” system is instituted largely in favor of the rich,
and to protect abortionists and other seriously wicked people from being labeled
as such, and there is no way that God “instituted” this.
In general, yes, the system of law and order comes from God,
but this can never, legitimately, be considered
Carte Blanche for nations to judge and punish as they please.
They too are subject to a higher power.

Those who were about to kill the woman caught in adultery
were in OBEDIENCE to the Laws of Israel, and under the Elders,
had the right, under Moses’s Law, to carry out that sentence.
Yet Jesus told them, not that the woman was innocent, oh no!!
No, instead, he said “Let the one among you
who is without sin, be the first to cast a stone at her.”
Stoning was the lawful penalty for her crime.
He told them that if they were without Sin, to go ahead and carry it out.
Interesting.

 

[fix]

**1899 The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."17 **

This teaching is true, but should we take it in an absolute sense?
I think even the church would say no.

First of all, that would mean that once the Nazi’s took power,
their judicial system, filthy and demonic in origin as it was,
had been “instituted by God.”
I don’t believe THAT for a minute. Nor the the authorities of the old SOVIET system, either, for they were godless monsters, evil to the core.

And now, our “justice” system is instituted largely in favor of the rich,
and to protect abortionists and other seriously wicked people from being labeled
as such, and there is no way that God “instituted” this.
In general, yes, the system of law and order comes from God,
but this can never, legitimately, be considered
Carte Blanche for nations to judge and punish as they please.
They too are subject to a higher power.

Those who were about to kill the woman caught in adultery
were in OBEDIENCE to the Laws of Israel, and under the Elders,
had the right, under Moses’s Law, to carry out that sentence.
Yet Jesus told them, not that the woman was innocent, oh no!!
No, instead, he said “Let the one among you
who is without sin, be the first to cast a stone at her.”
Stoning was the lawful penalty for her crime.
He told them that if they were without Sin, to go ahead and carry it out.
Interesting.

But, that the state can abuse their authority does not mean every law is unjust or may be disobeyed.

IOW, if the law is just then we must follow it.