Death penalty question

[mapleoak]

Lets add some more fun. What of the person who hands the security guard a photo of his child at play? Suppose he also makes an outright threat that he is going to escape and kill his child. Now suppose there are two separate prisoners who have each handed the security guard a photo and made similar threats. One of them is previously guilty of a capital crime, the other is not. One outright demands justice. Should the intent of the other (with due regard to adequately protecting society and ensuring safety) be considered a capital crime in and of itself worthy of expiation?

 

[DaveBj]

LOL…okay…I believe somewhere in the OT it says to burn witches…And that undoubtedly wasnt abrogated either,…seem to remember some folks did that in Salem, MA…Do you possibly see a problem with your logic?

Not at all. The words in the verse I referenced are the words of God Himself. Do you wish to find yourself abrogating the very words of God?

Furthermore, if you listen closely to the words of the first reading at Mass tomorrow, you will hear that Jesus Himself will be an agent of capital punishment.

 

[Brendan]

LOL…okay…I believe somewhere in the OT it says to burn witches…And that undoubtedly wasnt abrogated either,…seem to remember some folks did that in Salem, MA…Do you possibly see a problem with your logic?

CS Lewis addressed that point rather well in Mere Christianity.

Yes that still applies. Active agents of Satan are still to be killed (iLev. doesn’t mention burning, only that they not be allowed to live)

Lewis, and the Church, are quite clear that this is a prohibition against true agents of Satan, NOT a prohibition against deluded old ladies, wannabe Goth teens or ex hippie New Agers.