tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5080372433953859587.post5942786560956068550..comments2023-08-06T07:02:49.496-04:00Comments on Little Steps Home: Death Penalty II: It's Come Back!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09002997517784638068noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5080372433953859587.post-74332523618453974862011-08-28T07:53:40.793-04:002011-08-28T07:53:40.793-04:00I've really enjoyed rereading these thoughts. ...I've really enjoyed rereading these thoughts. I'd forgotten how good they were and what good arguments you made for your stance! Thank you!Susannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03115294023069458287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5080372433953859587.post-3807332921840096442011-08-25T09:55:10.030-04:002011-08-25T09:55:10.030-04:00*thinks* I say innately because that's the way...*thinks* I say innately because that's the way it seems to me. It's part of the instinct to preserve the species, imo. I know that there are people who don't think that way, but they seem to be the exception to the rule and there are always outliers in every group. That being said, I could absolutely be wrong and it could be something that we were taught so early on that it feels like instinct to some of us.<br /><br />A lot of it wouldn't apply to someone who doesn't believe in Christianity, that's true. But then, if you're not Christian, the question wouldn't come up in the same way. Every religious group has their own thoughts and rules about the death penalty, as in everything else. When you take away religion all together it becomes a question of conscience. And that's really where I think it should be. My point is that there is nothing in Christianity that says, as a Christian you cannot support the death penalty. I think too many people use 'I'm a Christian' as an excuse to not have to think about why they don't support the death penalty. I've got no problem with people who don't support the death penalty, but I guess I just feel like they should have had to reason through it, just like people who support it have, not just hide behind some imaginary bastion.Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09002997517784638068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5080372433953859587.post-37822490607928655222011-08-24T14:23:21.572-04:002011-08-24T14:23:21.572-04:00I think that most people would agree that the huma...<i>I think that most people would agree that the human being somehow innately understands the necessity and value of societal order and justice that supersedes the individuals desires.</i><br /><br />I don't know about <b>innately</b>...but I don't know that that's not true, either. I <b>think</b> I learned it rather than being convinced of it from the start, and I know a lot of people who have gone through an anarchist phase and think there should be no rules for behavior. Generally, people who believe that keep on believing it right up to the point when someone "wrongs" them. Then suddenly we want structures in place to declare those things wrong and punish them. :D<br /><br />Interesting post. I think a lot of it maybe doesn't apply to me as much since I'm not part of the majority religion and also don't really have any prescribed religious rules for things like the death penalty or other laws. In general, it's easy for me to separate my faith from my politics. I think it must be more difficult for Christians, because there's more of an emphasis (not for all Christians, but more frequently than in some other religions) on directed behavior, a universally correct religion and moral code, etc. I think it would be difficult to try to both keep church separate from state and also to feel that they are voting in a way that is true to their beliefs and morals...I'm glad I don't have to navigate that anymore, but I love that you've done the work to really analyze this issue and like seeing your process and conclusions. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07382787889525110718noreply@blogger.com