quote:Originally posted by Gifted Child:
I know we are living in New Testament times. Jesus said I didn't come here to change the law, but to make new. Does he condone capital punishment? If the law of the land conflicts with the laws of God, who's in jeopardy? I always said I would be the first one to throw the switch.
Hi Child,
While I know that capital punishment is Biblical; I could personally never take a life.
Let me clarify that. To protect my family, my country, i.e., our freedom, or for self-preservation -- I could take a life. Also, if that were the only way to stop a man from raping/beating a woman or molesting a child -- I could do it. But, it would weigh on me for the rest of my life.
There is nothing I find more despicable that a rat -- yet, I could not even kill a mouse or a rat. In the early 1980s, my family and I were in our family room watching television. A mouse came out of a crack in our fireplace and ran across the room. That night before going to bed, I set a mouse trap in the fireplace. A few hours later, my conscience bothering me, I got up and removed the mouse trap. The next day, I put cement in the crack in the fireplace -- a better and more civil solution.
About twelve years ago, a neighbor who lived next door with her daughter came to me for help. She had been hearing rats in her walls and ceiling. So, her landlord put traps for the rats. The night before a rat had been caught in one of the traps -- not the clamp and kill them type trap -- but, the type where the rat is stuck to strong adhesive and cannot escape. But, the rat is still alive and jumping around making all sort of noise.
My panicked neighbor came to me for help. I took the rat and the trap out, got my hammer and was about to do away with Mr. Rat. But, as he lay there, I could not hit him. So, I got in my car, drove a few blocks away to a big empty field -- and with my pliers I pulled the rat loose from the adhesive and set him free in the field -- a better and more civil solution. And, one that would not weigh on my conscience.
So, while I know that capital punishment is Biblical -- please, God, never allow me to be in a situation where I would have to take the life of another person.
Just my thoughts.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
