Actually, that's not what I said and that's not what I believe. I have not argued that executing a criminal is the same as murder. It's not.
In fact, in cases where the guilt is certain, I think it would be more just if the death sentence were carried out in a way that is swift, severe and certain.
But I do have serious questions about vesting life-and-death powers in the hands of a State that has millions of times over shown its willingness to shed innocent blood. In Romans, Paul states: "For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."
I question whether a State which "authorizes" abortion-on-demand --- child sacrifice by the tens of millions ---can atill be thought of as "God's servant." For a better assessment of such a State, I would refer you, not to Romans 13, but the Revelation 13: the State as a tool of demons.
I don't know whether it's godly to put life-or-death powers in the hands of "rulers" already chest-deep in innocent blood.
“I question whether a State which “authorizes” abortion-on-demand -— child sacrifice by the tens of millions -—can atill be thought of as “God’s servant.””
That’s a different bucket of worms, and I see your point.
When does a state become so depraved that it should no longer bear the sword?
I am not ready to abandon my support for the death penalty in the U.S. at this point. But at some point I would. I am not sure when that would be.