Death Penalty

Sister Helen Prejean's Moratorium Campaign

Well, if the link above doesn't give you a clue to where I stand .. then NO, I do not support the death penalty.

For the longest time, I had no opinion on the matter. I couldn't decide whether or not it was right or wrong. Maybe I was being blinded by a bush in a state that puts more people to death than any other. That's right, you guessed it, it was Texas. Now, I live in California, saw the fabulous play by Tim Robbins based on Sr. Helen's book, Dead Man Walking. I remembered how riveted I was by the movie. And now I am nearly done with the book. I anxiously await my purchase of Sr. Helen's Newest Death of Innocence.

Why? No government should have the power to put its people to death. For the most part, the death penalty as it stands is not administered fairly. Low-income people do not have the resources to fight the death penalty, minorities are still targeted for death penalty (MLK's dream, apparently, has some parts still in the dream phase) and innocent people have been put to death.

If that isn't enough, especially for us Christians out there, we should see the obvious flaw in the death penalty: it is not condoned in the Bible. I remind you of these things: thou shalt not kill (no, our government is not above the 10 commandments); Jesus preached love (killing, no matter who sanctions it, is not very loving); and we must turn the other cheek (I think that negates that whole "eye for an eye" argument - besides, that whole bit was mostly about how the punishment should fit the crime and not literally taking eyes for eyes).

So thank you to Sr. Helen for helping me and so many others see the light. And for the rest of you, spread the word (unless of course you think I am wrong!).

Last Words: I don't support it, I recommend a moratorium, I will read St. Helen's newest book.