REVIVING DEATH PENALTY

So the staunch supporters are starting to back-up the pleasure of the President to revive the death penalty.   Saying God has given governments the right to impose capital punishment, he made an example of Jesus Christ who he said was sentenced to death by the government, “even Jesus was sentenced to death” said eight Division World champion born-again Christian Pastor-Senator Manny Pacquiao.  When someone is citing verses from the bible to support his argument, give him the dose of his own medicine.  Confront him with verses too.  With all due respect, I think the Senator has a little understanding on the statement he cited.  “The wrongful execution of Jesus showed an imperfect and unfair justice system, this exactly show that such judicial system can sentence an innocent man to death.  Jesus is an innocent victim of death penalty” a reaction from his colleague.

Me I must say, yes Jesus was sentenced to death.  And this is exactly the lesson that the Senator must understand.  The Christ was sentenced by these barbaric people who play the justice system like a kangaroo court.  Even Pontius Pilate refused to sentence him because he knew Jesus was innocent.  In our modern time, we have 71.77% rate of judicial error committed in death penalty and then here is Sen. Pacquiao saying the best example of death penalty flaw.  The reality is we have the wrongfully sentenced to death.  We both have “Though shall not kill” in the Ten Commandments.  Being a Pastor himself, I am wondering how he interprets the scriptures.  In His sermon on the mountains, Jesus preached to his followers not to observe the Jewish law that allowed for severe punishment.  He said “You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also.” 

In another chapter and verse, there was the passage about an adulterous woman when a group of scribes and Pharisees presented the woman to Jesus asking Him whether the punishment for someone like the woman should be stone to death.  And He said “Let whoever is without sin cast the first stone.”  No one did because no one is sinless.  This is how Jesus taught us that to you should not kill.  Though shall not kill.  Only God should have power over death and life.  Taking someone’s life is nobody’s rights.  “Has killed” is not the same as “to kill”.  Killing during heated brawl or under the influence of drugs is different from killing someone when you are on your conscious mind during death execution.  You have that criminal mind.  You are now no difference from the criminals, you are just legalized criminal.

So those in favor of death penalty are on their own best grandstanding to justify their takes in the issue.  The Senate President, ex-Police Chief Director, and Selfie King who are all equally loud supporters and defenders of every presidential matters, are claiming pro-life by saying better to kill one criminal for the sake of majority people, to save the majority people, to save the nation to be more nationalistic.  Killing one or one thousand, criminal or not is still the same killing that prohibited by God. Criminals are still human that should not be killed. There were times in my perspective when abominable crimes and violence were rampant, I was perceived that death penalty should be legalized to combat these cruel criminals. But I have changed my point of view when I’d watched a movie about the true to life story of a murderer who was sentenced to death. It was so heart breaking to realize the true feeling of the person to be killed, the anxiety, sadness and fear of a conscious man that is so weak, remorseful, humble and harmless – it is inhuman to kill them. Human should be compassionate, we must remember the compassion of Christ.

Do what is due.  If by all means we will just fully impose the laws, we don’t need death penalty. Lifetime imprisonment is tantamount to death penalty.  Do what is due.  If the sentenced will truly undergo the full meaning of his punishment, serve every inch of the verdict, then it’s worse than died because nothing could hurt more or could be worse than depriving your freedom every day.   On contrary, we have these situations: there are prisoners that have become chief living like a king inside the penitentiary, special treatments, privileges, or the relatives can make ways to release them, or they can still continue their illegal activities while in captive, or they befriended the guarding policemen corrupted by incorrect system.  The penal code becomes community like in the outside world that they can enjoy the latest gadgets, television, internet, music.   So how will they suffer their crime?  Due what is due.