Sentence of the Court

Some serious criminal offenses are punishable by death, most often violent homicides where it is determined by the jury that the convicted offender lacks remorse.

-- FindLaw, "Death Penalty"

This is going to be another one of those posts concerning abortion for which I constantly incur the wrath of people who look for any reason to always be offended at every little thing, hence the name I have given them - the League of the Perpetually Offended. I preface this article with my lifelong belief that men have no point of reference for what women go through; it is their body and only they, women as a whole, can make decisions concerning it. Men need to stay the hell out of it unless it enters the realm concerning the sanctity of life and the morality involved with ending it. This is an area in which we men, especially for most of us who have served in the military or as first responders, do have a point of reference: Life is precious.

I was perusing articles in the monastery's periodical when I came across a title which caught my attention:  How Can Christians Be Pro-Life but Support the Death Penalty?  The first answer which crossed my addled brain was, they're mixing apples and oranges.  I immediately wrote a comment because, as most of my readers well know, I have no control over what my fingers do and they usually cause me significant issues, especially that troublesome middle one.  My comment was simple and short, and there was never any doubt that it was sure to garner the attention of the League of the Perpetually Offended:  "There is a distinct difference between innocence and guilt, between murder and consequences of actions."   My comment, of course, being driven by my definition of "pro-life" as having to do with senseless abortion, or death, for no good reason.  

What do we do to murderers who lack remorse?  What do we do to "mothers" who have abortion after abortion, murdering their own children for no good reason?  If the child were killing them, at least that might smack of self-defense, and abortion due to rape would be righting a wrong visited upon the woman without her consent, as long as it was performed immediately.  As for the League of those offended at my concern for the killing of innocence, my middle finger is beginning to twitch.

As a Christian, I have always agreed with giving unto God that which is God's, and unto Caesar that which is Caesar's.  Thus, I have no problem with the death penalty, especially for sociopaths who show no remorse for their actions.  Civilization survives upon the fundamental foundation of robust law.  This doesn't mean the laws can't change, but it does require the citizens to follow the rule of law which is currently in place.

Years ago I had a tee-shirt with an electric chair on the front and the words "I'll pull the switch" written underneath.  Of course,  I would prefer we exercise this penalty only in those cases for which there is no doubt of guilt; where witnesses, evidence, and/or self-admission of guilt, leave absolutely no room for doubt.    I suppose this is why I have issues with women who say, with little or no remorse, "I made a mistake, so kill my baby."  Her "mistake" isn't that she was raped, a victim of incest, or that the baby is killing her.  Personally, I don't feel that terminal stupidity isn't an excuse for murder, especially when we have a "morning after" pill that can solve the multitude of conversation, and courts to rule on incest and rape, but the perpetually offended will subject us to the conversation, regardless of any moral obligation or law.

Of course, this is just my own "perpetually offended" opinion, as a father and a grandfather, as one who thinks the innocence of children should be protected at all costs, and that the sins of the mother should not be visited upon the unborn.  Ohio has just passed a bill making it a felony to perform an abortion if there is a fetal heartbeat, and this is a great step forward in protecting an at-risk group who cannot defend themselves.  When the sentence of the court is the senseless death of an unborn child, a living child, who has no ability to ask for mercy, plead their innocence, and beg for life, our own sense of morality comes into serious question.  What was their crime?

They were conceived.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.