Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: zephyrduck
"That sounds like a pretty strong condemnation of captial punishment to me. But then again, I'm just a lowly Catholic who doesn't have the bible memorized chapter and verse."

I don't know how lowly you are (LOL!) but this particular passage has been debated for generations. My particular church sees this an example of Christ's superior moral sense and ability to see through a pretty devastating trap. The Pharisees wanted Christ to repudiate the death penalty for adultery which would have made Him a heretic at the very least. He did not condemn the law (for which he had the perfect opportunity) but He used compassion to save the woman.

If Christ had wanted to condemn the death penalty, there were numerous instances where this could have done. And I'll bet that the woman really did change her ways as Christ commanded her to do which is more than you can expect from most criminals.

142 posted on 01/13/2005 9:53:26 AM PST by Gingersnap
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 106 | View Replies ]


To: Gingersnap

Thanks, Gingersnap, for an insightful response to my question about casting stones. I certainly see where you come from on this. To me, this passage says tells me that I should try to live my life with that same compassion that Christ does. He knows that I try, but Christ also knows that I certainly do fail.

(There's an old Catholic joke that starts out with this story. After Jesus says his "...cast the first stone" thing, a rock comes flying out of the crowd and knocks the woman to the ground. He turns around and says, "Mom! I'm trying to make a point here!")

This is not to say that I don't support punishment for criminals. Obviously, if at the very least for my own safety, I want them locked away for a very long time. I just think that the ultimate punishment should be used by the Ultimate Judge. No jury of men could be that perfect. Christ didn't expressly condemn the law, but He certainly didn't actively support it, either.

I certainly respect your interpretation, though.


164 posted on 01/13/2005 10:13:51 AM PST by zephyrduck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 142 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson