I do have disdain for career criminals. Especially violent ones. I even hold rage for a few particular individuals in that grouping. But the rage is easing, through prayer, and my penance for my own sins. It has eased, and I believe it will continue to dissipate. And I was a Police Officer, much contented in retirement.
I really save my mercy and my prayers for the people, economically, politically, and socially inferior, who have to live in the neighborhoods I used to patrol. They get on the train early in the morning to go into Manhattan at 5 am. They come home at 6pm, with a bag of grocercies in their hand.( Becuase they are afraid to go to the store) Go up to their little underheated in the winter, sweltering in the summer, “pest” infested little apartment. There they see thier children, who have been cooped up since school ended, or if there is no school have been in the entire day. ( Because thay cannot go outside safely.) Violence and drugs ravage their neighborhoods. 30 year old “men” impregnate 14 year old girls., Crack Mommies sell their babies. Guess why these psychos buy them. Where is the outrage on the part of people who think we should be more merciful towards criminals?
Jesus knows the criminal who is truly repentant, because to Him, there is no veil hiding their hearts or minds. We can’t tell. I don’t think the criminal has earned the right to the benefit of the doubt. Those who do believe that put violent, murderous, perverted people back on the streets . By The Thousands. Therefore the people in those poor communities, in total disproportion to all the others, suffer under the yolk of a tyrranny, I doubt many, if any, who post on these boards can comprehend.
Now Jesus said something to the effect of, Woe to him who leads one of my little ones astray. What do criminals do? Most lead others astray. Most obviously those who sell drugs, peddle flesh, and commit sexual offenses. How responsible are those who push and vote for a social agenda advocating soft on punishment criminal justice, responsible for the havoc and destruction those criminals wreak on civilization? If that is your agenda you may be wise to consider your complicity in crime and violence today.
As an example, As outraged as I was with the pedophiles (Child Rapers)in the ranks of Our Godly Priests, I was angrier with the Bishops who put them back in contact with children to reoffend. Their defense was, we didn’t understand the nature of their (pedophilia) illness at that time. Okay , I’ll accept that. But now the data is in. They won’t make those same mistakes , or misjudgements again. Well, the data is in. Most criminals, especially the violent, and almost always the sexual predator, will reoffend. That means they will hurt more people.Do you want to be an accomplice to their crimes. Our court system here in America will not judge you for that.(That is unless you call people mean names while doing so). Will their be a Higher Judge to answer to for that ?
Come tell my Mother in Law how the 3 “Men” who murdered her son deserve mercy and should be allowed out of jail. Tell my wife about those fine people who murdered her big brother. You can’t tell my Father in Law, because he died of a broken heart and soul soon afterward. Or the other brother who spiraled into alcoholism soon after and died due to alcohol related decision making. Tell my buddies kids. He was murdered when he was 29. three children and a wife. Two parents gone to their graves without another day of joy in their lives. This is what mercy wasted on criminals breeds. Though my Mother in Law has come to Church with us a few times, looking for something, she is no longer a Catholic. She wants to know how God could let these people murder, her son. ( He was a good man). She’s sometimes says she hates God for it. They killed him during a 30 dollar robbery. Quite a toll on a family for $30. But just so you really understand, Upon conviction they were let out on their own recognisisance. They didn’t show up to do their 15 years, (Apparently the going rate for a human life in 1978). Only when a friend on the cold case squad asked for particulars on the case did they even get searched for again. They were rearrested twlve years later. They had all been on welfare the whole time. But it gets better. When they were brought before the judge on rearrest he wanted to let them return ROR again. Only in America baby, Only screaming and howling and a near riot in the courtroom prevented such a nightmare scenario. They were all out between four and six years served. They had wives and kids while on the lam. They ate dinner, slept in beds, and held jobs(Despite collecting welfare, Only in America) all that time. My brother in Laws healthy 25 year old body rotted in a coffin beneath six feet of dirt. Soon to be joined by his brother and father.
If the release of these types of criminals makes you happy, enjoy it. But remember, the next person they murder maybe somebody you love. Dan