Since Sunday night, I have conversations with two of my best friends here on campus. They both are mennonites which also means that they are against war and killing. There have been many wonderful conversations with these two. I respect their opinions and beliefs of certain issues and I enjoy hearing about what they have to say.

Capital punishment is what we have talked about lately. They don't believe in it. When they look at it, they see that it is not effective. Some of their beliefs:

-Someone should not be executed because that person will miss there chance to go to Heaven. Should witness to them instead of killing them
-Who to say that we should end that person's life? We have no right to decide that
-Christ did not come to promote killing. He came to promote life
-We will just pray for them and show them kindness. There life is important to God
-Deciding on who shall die for his crime is like playing God. And we cannot be like God

I think that the death penalty is a good idea. These two friends are entitled to their opinions just like I am. I think the death penalty should be enforced only to a certain extent, and when I become a lawyer I will enforce it if that person is found to be guilty of the crime without a reasonable doubt. Also, by stopping a murderer after he commits a crime could save the life of other potential victims. Christ was killed for a crime he did not commit. His killing is part of our redemption process. Without His death, we would not have this easy access to God. I don't know if that is good to compare executing a criminal to the killing of Christ.

I recently read a poem expressing what a person would go through if someone he loved was killed. He at first would be angry and want to avenge the killing. But as he soon as he goes after the killers, he thought and was reminded of God who let His Son die while he watched. Love was what this person lived for loving the enemies, the killers, and the person that believed differently. He decides to let this friends memory live on and will not kill the killers for justice. Instead he will tell them of forgiveness and about Christ love so there can be more brothers in Heaven to love.

This is just some of the things that stuck out to me in this. It is well written and it really makes me think. Do I really want someone to go through what I just went through with the killing of one of my friends. No, I don't. Instead of reacting how he would. I would probably seek justice and have them punished. If not executed but taken of the streets so they cannot kill again.




I am open to all your opinions on this issue. I would love to hear your taking on this topic.