Why I do not believe in the Death Penalty, Part One

Do I think Death is a God Ordained Punishment?

Hey folks,

Happy Sunday to ya. Do I? Yup. I do FULLY believe that anyone that is guilty, beyond a shadow of doubt, by the mouths of more than one Witness, of shedding innocent blood, they themselves should be put to death. No doubt about it.

But here in lies the problem. We do not follow God's plan. We follow OUR Criminal Justice System. Let's look at the difference.

First, there are THREE ways to take a Life. Premeditation, Accidental, Abortion. Yes, Abortion IS the taken of an Innocent life. We will discuss how God sees these things first.

Genesis 9: 5-6

5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

It is the Sixeth Cammandment. Thou shall not Murder. God is VERY serious about this. But God also understands that we ARE only Human, and can act stupidly. {Smile} So he set up a very clear formula.

Premeditation? Pretty much easy to understand. If you hate someone, or intend to kill them for whatever reason, you are a Murderer, and God says you shall die. Numbers 35

16 And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

17 And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

18 Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

19 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

20 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;

21 Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

But it was in the heat of the moment. That's not Murder in the First, maybe Second Degree, or Third. Not according to God. Even if you got caught up in the Heat of the Moment, if it is true that you hate the person, you are a Murderer.

Accident? Numbers 35:

15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

God knows Accidents happen. We allow ourselves to be put into situations that may allow for an Accidental Death to occur. SO?

22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,

23 Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:

24 Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

So even if it was an Accident, God calls for you to leave. This way the Family of the one lost is not tempted to seek revenge on you. But you are Innocent in the eyes of God. So God set up the Jury System. Still Numbers 35

29 So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

31 Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

32 And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.

33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

So not by the mounth of one Witness. but more than one. A Jury of your Peers. A Final Jugdement. Guilt or Innocents.

Abortion? Exodus 21: 22-25

22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,

24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

In other words, if you accidentally cause a Women to have a miscarriage, you are STILL guilty to a degree, and you shall pay a price for your guilt. However, if you did it INTENTIONALLY, so that she looses her Child, YOU are guilty of Murder. If the Child dies, God calls for YOUR life. If the Child is deformed, than you will lose whatever the deformity. Quite literally an Eye for an Eye, ETC. In Pslams 139, it makes it clear that God knows you, and you are Formed in the Womb. This also answers the question how one whom believes in Life, can be FOR a Death Penalty.

So what is my problem with OUR system of Justice? We are not following God's Plan. We have created our own. We operate under VERY different system. One that is inherently flawed and one that continues to get further and further away from a more perfect system. Be right back to explain what I mean on that.
Peter

Sources:
King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Why I Do Not Believe In The Death Penalty, Part Two

The Death Penalty according to MAN.

Hey folks,

OK we're back. So we just talked about how and why the Death Penalty was formed and that it was formed by God himself. As was the Jury System. We as mankind, have taken this and interpreted it, translated it if you will, into a form of system WE think is best.

Why 12 Jurors in most Criminal Cases? The reason for 12 originated in England and was an imitation of the 12 Apostles. The number 12 was thought to be Divinely inspired. Since we were founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we continued this tradition here. It was also though to ensure a large enough cross section of Society on a Jury to truly be one of one's Peers. Some areas have changed this. Some six, some more. But the General Rule is 12.

Remember, God's concept is not by the Mouth of ONE Witness, but more than one person had to ACTUALLY SEE someone Murder someone before that person could be put to death. Not any other method. MORE than ONE Person had to actually SEE it happen.

Now in today's world, if a person walked into a School, ON CAMERAS, and Shot and Killed someone. You have the Video, and Witnesses, I would have little issue with them being put to Death. HOWEVER, We also have see that Videos, Photos, and the like can be altered. We know that People can Lie. We know that, sad as it is, it is no longer about Right and Wrong, but who can tell the better story in Court.

I've told you this story before. I had a conversation with a Town Justice Friend of mine, back in the late 80s. He said the same thing. Then he said "If you can't Dazzle them with Pizazz, Baffle them with Bulls----."

We have seen some high profile Murder Cases take "Interesting turns?" OJ, Robert Blake, and NOW we have the Casey Anthony Trial. This one is interesting, No PROOF of Murder. No Weapon. No time. No Proof of who was even WITH her at the time of her Death. NOTHING. Yet, most people you talk to will tell you she is GUILTY and should be put to Death for the Murder of her Daughter. Really? This ENTIRE Case is Circumstantial. There is not a SHRED of ACTUAL evidence that can point to her Guilt. Yet it goes on. What is it like day 40?

Did OJ do it? Maybe? Did Blake do it? Maybe? Did Anthony do it? Maybe NOT? Yet we have TV Cameras, Radio Stations, the Public, Lawyers trying to be Actors, a Judge that may think he is playing a part on Law and Order. In the Middle of the whole Circus is a lost Little Girl and a Mother, who's Life hangs in the Balance.

I'll tell you, listening to this case on a Local Radio Station the other day, I actually heard the Judge, give a Lengthy Answer in a request to Acquit, over Circumstantial Evidence. He sited Case after Case where it was permissible. I remember a time when NONE of it would have been. Either you have Proof of Guilt, or you don't. No implications, or possibles. Actual PROOF.

So when we come back with Part THREE, Yes, Part THREE, I will post one of the main reasons I do not believe in OUR version of the Death Penalty. DNA. My Friend Tony Shin posted a GREAT Infographic on this subject. Be right back.
Peter

Why I Do Not Believe In The Death Penalty Part Three

We hear this way too much.

Hey folks,

OK. So we talked about God. The Bible. The Death Penalty. God Created it, we messed it up. And one of the things we messed up is with the Standard of Evidence to find one Guilty.

Every Year you hear of someone else that has been in Jail for a LONG time, getting out because of DNA Evidence. Well, a friend of mine. Tony Shin let me know about this Inforgraphic. It really says all you need to know about one of the things MOST wrong with our Justice System. Here it is.


Created by: Forensic Science

Alright, I know, I'm done. {Smile} I hope you understand my position a bit better now. Be right back to talk about Insomnia.
Peter

Note: I just realized that the Infographic was cut off. I'll look into that and how to correct it. Meanwhile, click the Link, to see the whole thing. Well worth the look.

To Answer A Question

The Death Penalty

Hey folks,

Yes I could talk about Clinton and Obama slugging it out. Just really don’t feel like it. There is not a bit of difference between the two. Neither have experience. Both will lie cheat and steel to get want they want. It really does not interest me right this second. After one of two more primaries, then we will see. I guess the “Truce” never really had a chance huh?

I could talk about how it truly saddens me that Fred Thomson dropped out. Perhaps the only TRUE and FULL Conservative in the race. I really think it was errors in judgement on his part that lead to this poor showing. He got in late. Got off to a slow start, and perhaps did not really attempt to get his message out. If he came out of the gate like he was during that one debate, I think things would look a GREAT DEAL different today.

I could talk about actor Heath Ledger being found dead Tuesday in a Manhattan apartment, in bed, with prescription sleeping pills nearby. No signs of foul play. Police are investigating. Everyone else is talking about that. God Speed Mr. Ledger, and may his family have peace.

I could talk about the economy and what some are calling a new recession. A “Market Meltdown” as some like the AP are calling it. But I do not believe we are there yet. I do not believe it’s that bad yet. We’ll see.

Let’s see, what else could we talk about. Oh I see some are starting up the whole Jenna 6 thing again. {Sigh} Talked about that enough.

I could talk about all the pork that is being thrown in the “Stimulus Bill”with hopes that the fears of the American people and the eagerness of Congress and even the President to pass it will get it through. How lobbyists on both sides are taking advantage of this scary {To Some} situation.

Oh hey, look at this, From AFP - World powers agree on UN resolution on Iran: Germany

World powers reached agreement Tuesday on a new UN Security Council resolution against Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

"We agreed on the content of the next Security Council resolution," Steinmeier said after the meeting in Berlin of foreign ministers from the five permanent members of the Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany.

You already know what and how I feel about that. Can you tell I’m in a bit of a funk today?

I could talk about THIS bunch of bunk. Get this. Did you know that it’s “No-Name Calling” Week? Get this.

Aimed at grades 5-8 with additional lesson plans for earlier grades, No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.

"Name-calling and bullying begin to take hold as an everyday experience in elementary and middle school," said Dr. Eliza Byard, GLSEN's Interim Executive Director. "No Name-Calling Week is an opportunity for schools to address the problem in a proactive, educational manner. Far too many students know how important a week like No Name-Calling Week really is."

Of course you DO know who GLSEN IS don’t you?

How about making sure that they can READ and WRITE when they graduate? There’s a novel concept.

OK folks, I’m done with all that today. I do want to answer a question that someone asked me recently in a debate I was having with them. They KNOW I was very Pro-Death Penalty at one time and was wondering why I was not calling for the head of someone, who may very well deserve it. Because I have gotten this question on and off for a while, and since I really do not feel much like talking about anything else, let's talk about that. Then I see this article. I figure, why not. Why not try to answer the question publicly. Just in case some of you out there are wondering the same thing.

Now I’ve told the story before. I WAS very much for the death Penalty. I did and still feel that it is even, not only OK, but set up by God Himself. He set up a trial by Jury system that we copied. I did, and still do understand the difference in Killing, and Murder. But it was during a debate with a friend of mine, Rev. Jim Bridges, that changed my opinion. Now Rev. Jim, is without a doubt, a card carrying member of the LWL. He is as Liberal as you can get. We will never see eye to eye on much of anything. But over the years, and many “bloody” battles, we have come to respect and even truly like each other. We have mutual respect. But it was he that changed my mind on the CURRENT form of the Death Penalty.

This article printed yesterday by the AP is a perfect example of why. AP - DNA frees Colo. man convicted of murder By P. SOLOMON BANDA, Associated Press WriterTue Jan 22, 3:47 PM ET

Timothy Masters walked out of court a free man for the first time in nearly a decade Tuesday, his murder conviction wiped out by DNA evidence that points to another suspect.

Masters, 36, who was sentenced to life in prison in 1999, was ordered freed on a personal recognizance bond by Larimer County District Judge Joseph Weatherby. Prosecutors promised to decide quickly whether to try him again.

New tests announced last week showed DNA found on the victim's clothing was not from Masters but from someone else.

Applause broke out in the courtroom as the hearing ended, but Masters showed little emotion as he hugged members of his defense team.

Later, he went before reporters and thanked his family and friends.

"Without their support, I don't know if I could have made it through this," he said.

Asked what he would do next, he said: "I want to go see my family."

In 1987, the manager at a woman's clothing store was found stabbed and sexually mutilated in a field south of Fort Collins, but police investigated for more than a decade before arresting Masters. He was 15 at the time the woman died and lived near the field where her body was found.

Masters' new attorneys have said detectives wrongly focused on Masters instead of other suspects.

During recent appeals, both the defense and special prosecutors assigned to the case said crucial information was withheld from Masters' trial lawyers.

Larimer County District Attorney Larry Abrahamson — who was not the DA when Masters was convicted — defended the court system Tuesday.

"It is not, in any way, an indictment of the criminal justice system," he said of the case. "It just means we have new evidence and we have to take a look at it."

But you see, it IS an indictment on the criminal justice system. “It is no longer right and wrong anymore. It is who tells the better story. It is who has the money for the best lawyers. It really is a show. If you can not dazzle them with piazzas, then you baffle them with Bullshit.” You know who said that to me? I personal friend of mine in NY, who just happens to be the Town Justice.

Look at recent high profile cases. Or not even so high profile cases. If YOU got caught DWI, what would happen? Two, three times? What about if YOU were caught with drugs? What would happen? What if YOU murdered someone?

But we see on a daily bases those with money and fame, can do whatever they want. Get sentence to jail serve a day, or maybe just hours. Get arrest for murder? Well we know what happened in one case there. Get caught burglarizing a FEDERAL Building? Go back to work for the Clintons. YOU? You get the point.

So yes, I AM against the Death Penalty in it’s current form. Unless you walk into someplace and start killing people, there are more than one reliable witness or a video tape of you doing it, I have doubts. We see cases like Mr. Masters more and more. DNA has freed quiet a few people.

So until we fix the Justice System, I will remain against it. Now back to our regular scheduled News. {Smile} Have a great day, see you tomorrow.
Peter