A unity, a division
Anti-Semitism and the widespread persecution of Jews represents one of the ugliest and darkest features of human history. The vile, hate-filled poison of Anti-Semitism must be condemned and confronted everywhere and anywhere it appears. We mourn for the unthinkable loss of life that took place today, and we pledge in their name to fight for a future of justice, safety, tolerance, morality, dignity, and love. We must all rise above the hate.
Anti-Semitism and the widespread persecution of Jews represents one of the ugliest and darkest features of human history. The vile, hate-filled poison of Anti-Semitism must be condemned and confronted everywhere and anywhere it appears. We mourn for the unthinkable loss of life that took place today, and we pledge in their name to fight for a future of justice, safety, tolerance, morality, dignity, and love. We must all rise above the hate.
Those were the words of President Trump in a White House statement issued following the Pittsburgh horror. Only someone more committed to partisanship than good principle would dispute Trump.
The passions conveyed by the president's words were laudatory. They bespoke the high character one expects from him.
But the president also advocated for the death penalty. I have for decades been a stalwart opponent of that. I can, in fact, quote Clarence Darrow's legendary trial summations on it.
My opposition can be divided into three classes: personal, logical, and faithful.
1) To my way of thinking, killing (save for in self-defense) is immoral. Period.
2) Human beings are fallible. Any process involving us cannot be guaranteed error free. No one can be reprieved from the cemetery, should a mistake be subsequently uncovered. For that reason, executions are not a logical option for protecting innocents. And that is a goal of the justice system.
I have for decades held those sound views. And, alone, they are sufficient causes for being against capital punishment. But when I returned to the Catholic Church, last year, they were joined by another fine reason.
3) Persons convicted of capital offenses who've not yet accepted Divine authority are denied that precious opportunity by the executioner's lever. On the day of death, they may not be ready to convert. And standing between them and that future possibility is too awesome a responsibility for mere man.
Religious believers of sincere hearts may be of different opinions on executions. I am at too early a learning point to debate religious merits. But I do know wiser minds than mine have considered the faith arguments in depth. And my Catholic Church counts capital punishment opposition among its fine principles.
I part ways, then, with President Trump on this significant issue. But I was indeed glad to hear him denounce bigotry from the heart. His forceful condemnation of hate further distinguished an already noble presidency.
The passions conveyed by the president's words were laudatory. They bespoke the high character one expects from him.
But the president also advocated for the death penalty. I have for decades been a stalwart opponent of that. I can, in fact, quote Clarence Darrow's legendary trial summations on it.
My opposition can be divided into three classes: personal, logical, and faithful.
1) To my way of thinking, killing (save for in self-defense) is immoral. Period.
2) Human beings are fallible. Any process involving us cannot be guaranteed error free. No one can be reprieved from the cemetery, should a mistake be subsequently uncovered. For that reason, executions are not a logical option for protecting innocents. And that is a goal of the justice system.
I have for decades held those sound views. And, alone, they are sufficient causes for being against capital punishment. But when I returned to the Catholic Church, last year, they were joined by another fine reason.
3) Persons convicted of capital offenses who've not yet accepted Divine authority are denied that precious opportunity by the executioner's lever. On the day of death, they may not be ready to convert. And standing between them and that future possibility is too awesome a responsibility for mere man.
Religious believers of sincere hearts may be of different opinions on executions. I am at too early a learning point to debate religious merits. But I do know wiser minds than mine have considered the faith arguments in depth. And my Catholic Church counts capital punishment opposition among its fine principles.
I part ways, then, with President Trump on this significant issue. But I was indeed glad to hear him denounce bigotry from the heart. His forceful condemnation of hate further distinguished an already noble presidency.
posted by DC Larson at
October 30, 2018
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