> You can't use Christianity as a basis for condemning capital punishment as immoral if you only pick and choose unrelated principles of Christianity and ignore those elements of it that address the subject directly. Yes, "murder" is a sin; yes, all sins are equal in the eyes of God, and but a single lie is as loathsome in His sight as mass genocide, just as ten is no further from infinity than ten thousand. But God, in the Bible, endorses capital punishment and approves of human government wielding that power. What other Christianity-based argument can you have to refute this?

> If you're coming from a Christian perspective, from the premise that the Christian God exists and the Bible is true, you have to take all of it. And if capital punishment does not reconcile with the other spiritual knowledge you have, your responsibility is to learn how it fits together consistently, not deny the parts you don't understand.


What happened to "Judge not, lest yourself be judged"? What happened to the golden rule? What happened to "Love your neighbour as yourself"? (Matt 22:37-39)

What happened to the work of Christ on the cross?

Arthur has already made many good points in his reply, but I feel I have to say this, as I for once discovered that I have very strong and clear opinions on this.

I strongly believe that it is never in our position to put ourselves in the position as judges over life and death.

To me, it's not a question of whether or not McVeigh is guilty or not, if he will repent or not -- it's just that we simply aren't allowed to take God's judgement seat. Only God has the power to judge -- and judge rightfully, because only He is able to see the whole truth. And he has clearly stated that we shall ourselves be judged like we judge others. That is a scary thought.

True, capital punishment was endorsed upon the Israelites in the old testament -- before Christ. But with Christ, God has taken back our power to judge, and given us love and forgiveness, and instructions to pass it on. In that light, I cannot see how capital punishment still can be carried out. And I definitely cannot fathom how people dear to claim that Timothy McVeigh is in hell now. THAT is a matter in which God himself ONLY can decide. The moment you carry out that judgement, you place yourself in position to be judged, too. And, to quote you from above, Sam: "yes, all sins are equal in the eyes of God, and but a single lie is as loathsome in His sight as mass genocide" -- you would be in a very tight spot indeed, as would everybody else.

Strive to love EVERYbody, and let the almighty, all-knowing God judge over life and death.


Travholt.