I don’t like to write on capital punishment, however, a very strange series of events in the past week have compelled me to comment on this topic.

Principia Media is now in the process of publishing a book by a very gifted author by the name of Louise Reichert who donates her time to working with prisoners. She has compiled a book of prayers written for and about prisoners who have committed some incredibly horrific acts. Their contrition and admission of guilt are very moving and provide some personal insight into these hardened individuals.

Through Louise, I was introduced to a website called Humanity for Prisoners, which is working to provide adequate defense for prisoners and humane treatment for who are confined. This site provided some interesting insight into the mindset of hardened criminals. I was completely unaware that guilty criminals will do everything possible to keep the innocent behind bars, including lying against them and personal assault, including murder.

Yesterday morning, it was revealed that the Board of Pardons in Georgia has denied the appeal of Troy Davis whose conviction was based on nine eye witnesses of which seven have recanted. One of the witnesses that did not change his story is a prime suspect in the murder and who was reported to have confessed to the killing.

All of this is in the background as I am studying the first two books of the Torah. This includes the report of the first reported murder by Cain, as well as the series of laws provided by god. These laws, reportedly dictated by god, clearly call for the death penalty for a variety of offenses including striking, insulting, or disrespecting your father and mother. These laws are often used to “prove” that god supports the death penalty, conveniently overlooking the fact that god saved the life of the first murderer, Cain.

I do not know if Troy Davis is guilty, and neither do you. Neither do we know what god thinks about the death penalty. I do know that the death penalty is final, and the thought of any state executing an innocent person is reprehensible, as is the statement I read recently by an avid death penalty supporter: “fry them all and let god sort them out.” Life without parole is much less expensive, and much more consistent with my view of the will of a magnificent god.

I’d love to hear what you think.

Love,

Vern

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