Dictators, Despots and the Death Penalty
I just got home and turned on the news. Saddam Hussein is scheduled to be hanged sometime tonight. I am conflicted in spirit for the following reasons.
First of all, I reluctantly accept that the death penalty is warranted in certain, serious and hopefully rare cases. In my mind, some crimes are so heinous and the possibility of rehabilitation of the criminal so small, that it makes no sense to incarcerate an individual for a lifetime as that constitutes a more "cruel and unusual punishment" than execution.
Second, as a believer I have faith that God can change a person no matter how criminal. The death penalty takes away any possibility for repentance, restitution and rehabilitation.
Third, death is permanent and seals the executed's fate for eternity. Those who have been given the responsibility to carry out death sentences are human and they may err in judging whether a person should be given the opportunity to own up to their crimes and return restitution.
There is no question that Saddam Hussein is guilty of atrocities that boggle the minds of sane, civil people. If there ever was one who "deserved" to have his life ended to pay for his crimes, he fits the bill. Nevertheless, the death penalty should alway be administered with a sick feeling in one's stomach, and a prayer to God for mercy and that justice will have indeed been served.
UPDATE: Saddam Hussein was executed 12/29/2006, appx. 9:00 PM Central Time
First of all, I reluctantly accept that the death penalty is warranted in certain, serious and hopefully rare cases. In my mind, some crimes are so heinous and the possibility of rehabilitation of the criminal so small, that it makes no sense to incarcerate an individual for a lifetime as that constitutes a more "cruel and unusual punishment" than execution.
Second, as a believer I have faith that God can change a person no matter how criminal. The death penalty takes away any possibility for repentance, restitution and rehabilitation.
Third, death is permanent and seals the executed's fate for eternity. Those who have been given the responsibility to carry out death sentences are human and they may err in judging whether a person should be given the opportunity to own up to their crimes and return restitution.
There is no question that Saddam Hussein is guilty of atrocities that boggle the minds of sane, civil people. If there ever was one who "deserved" to have his life ended to pay for his crimes, he fits the bill. Nevertheless, the death penalty should alway be administered with a sick feeling in one's stomach, and a prayer to God for mercy and that justice will have indeed been served.
UPDATE: Saddam Hussein was executed 12/29/2006, appx. 9:00 PM Central Time
posted by jawbone at
7:21 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home