Not likely … but I am willing to admit that I am as clueless about what you believe
Start by reading the Gospels. If they confuse you, try the harmonized Gospel St Victor found, which you can find on my site.
as you are about what I believe.
You seem to come straight from Moses. Nomen tuum ‘Voco pro Lege’ est.
You appear to believe that the disorder of sin is simply washed away when we are all mercifully forgiven and that forgiveness pays the debt. I agree that we certainly depend on God’s mercy and forgiveness … but forgiveness does not cancel our punishment:
Nonsense! that is exactly what forgiveness is. It is the cancellation of the debt. That is, also of the punishment. If the debt, (sin), is forgiven, then also is the requirement for punishment. The
EXdebtor is then free to, in an act of love, perform such acts as (s)he feels necessary for atonement. This is not required, for if it was, then the forgiveness would not be a gift, but a priced merchandise.
we will receive undeserved mercy and forgiveness from God as well as deserved punishment for our sins.
That too is nonsense.
A certain creditor had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence and the other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most?
Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said to him: Thou hast judged rightly.
And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon: Dost thou see this woman?
I entered into thy house: thou gavest me no water for my feet. But she with tears hath washed my feet; and with her hairs hath wiped them.
Thou gavest me no kiss. But she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint. But she with ointment hath anointed my feet.
Wherefore, I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less. And he said to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee.
Whoso is forgiven most, loves most.
Whoso loves most endeavours most to repay the fault.
This is atonement.
Let’s also remember that this post started out as a discussion of earthly justice.
Here you actually mean judgement dressed up as justice.
Would you care to suggest a relationship between mercy and justice in modern penal systems?
Of course, political realities have some (name removed by moderator)ut here. The devil must be paid.
Firstly, someone whom is dangerous must be kept from causing harm.
Secondly, someone who has done damage must be given the means, and opportunity to repair that damage, or if the damage cannot be repaired, to use his/her life in a way which is useful in preventing further damage.
I think, actually that covers it. All other details would be based on the above.
You will note that pointless incarceration has no place here, neither has a death penalty. Yet the offender may be detained indefinitely, and may be killed in the process of preventing further harm, but neither of the above would be pointless, they would be the road to atonement.
