Would Jesus Pull the Switch?

[Squatch]

Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J.

I was scared out of my mind. I went into the women’s room because it was the only private place in the death house, and I put my head against the tile wall and grabbed the crucifix around my neck. I said, “Oh, Jesus God, help me. Don’t let him fall apart. If he falls apart, I fall apart.”

People ask me all the time, “What are you, a nun, doing getting involved with these murderers?” You know how people have these stereotypical ideas about nuns: nuns teach; nuns nurse the sick. I tell people to go back to the gospel. Look at who Jesus hung out with: lepers, prostitutes, thieves—the throwaways of his day. If we call ourselves Jesus’ disciples, we too have to keep ministering to the marginated, the throwaways, the lepers of today. And there are no more marginated, thrown-away, and leprous people in our society than death-row inmates.

There’s a lot of what I call “biblical quarterbacking” going on in death-penalty debates: people toss in quotes from the Bible to back up what they’ve already decided anyway. People want to not only practice vengeance but also have God agree with them. The same thing happened in this country in the slavery debates and in the debates over women’s suffrage.

I cannot believe in a God who metes out hurt for hurt, pain for pain, torture for torture. Nor do I believe that God invests human representatives with such power to torture and kill. The paths of history are stained with the blood of those who have fallen victim to “God’s Avengers.” Kings, popes, military generals, and heads of state have killed, claiming God’s authority and God’s blessing. I do not believe in such a God. Wake-up call

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[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. I believe firmly

that spiritually the death penalty is the easy way out.

[Syn_Ack]

7. don't think so

no. how could a fictional character do anything that's this real? hell, same goes with the jews and mohammed and that cult islam. it's all a fairy tale.

but tookie shouldn't be killed. he should be let go. he did redeem himself by writing those children's books.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

8. It is a hypothetical question

and doesn't have to be 'real.'

Welcome to DU. Enjoy your stay.

[Squatch]

2. Follow-up question...

If you voted "yes", I'd like to hear what you think indicates that Jesus would have been a death penalty advocate.

[Squatch]

3. Note to admins...

I believe this is one of those cases where politics and religion intertwine, and so I thought it appropriate to post in GD. If it gets too religious, please move it to the religion forum.

[Benhurst]

4. Jesus would gleefully pull the switch, then go have lunch with

George W. Bush, where both would have a great time sharing execution stories.

Yeah. Sure.

[goddess40]

6. You're talking about the Republican's Jesus

not the "real" one from the bible - I like your humor

[Benhurst]

10. Thanks.

:hi:

[losdiablosgato]

5. I am a Southern Moderate Dem and a Catholic

And trhe teaching of the Church are as clear as crystal on this subject. The death penalty is wrong and should be abolished forthwith.

[prolesunited]

9. Somebody said the other day

that he needed to face the judgment of God and he was just happy to deliver him there. If God was so anxious to judge him, wouldn't he be able to take him at any time? How presumptous to claim we are doing the work of God by killing someone.

[Squatch]

11. I'd still like to know why some people (4 at this point)

would think that Jesus would, in fact, "throw the switch".

[Igel]

12. Jesus wouldn't sit on a jury or run for office.

Much less pull the switch.

Not his job. I'm unconvinced he'd even vote.