Celebrating Justice... @ Iraq the Model.
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Enter complaining about the Holy See's opposition to the execution.
Showing posts with label death penalty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death penalty. Show all posts
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Saddam's Impending Execution
What exactly is the appropriate Catholic & Christian response to the death sentence against Saddam? In the past few days we have seen the articles about his impending execution, and then I saw this morning an article about a Cardinal who is opposed to the execution.
I was thinking about it the other day. I used to be for the death penalty, but then I decided that creating a culture of life, a culture that included all life, was more important than meting out punishment. Although I came to be against the death penalty, I always qualified it that I was against it in this country, and that it may still be approrpiate outside the U.S.
Now I am faced with Saddam's execution, and I'm not sure what to think. Do I particularly care what happens to Saddam? Not really. As far as I'm concerned he's an evil man who is getting the punishment he deserves. Trust me, no tears will be shed here for this man when he... ahem... swings. But in general how do I feel about the execution?
Perhaps killing him will bring some closure to the Iraqi people, and will finally close his chapter in Iraq's history. Perhaps with him gone they can finally begin to move on out of the chaos and horror of the past to something better. But, if I were on the jury could I sign off on executing him? Could I put my name to that? And if I couldn't, can I really support it?
This makes me recall a column Fr. Jonathan did after Zarqawi was killed, and he asked what we should be rejoicing in? The death of another person, or that their evil actions have come to a halt. Perhaps I should look at Saddam similarly. If you want to read his post about Zarqawi, Zarqawi is Dead. Should We Rejoice?.
I think I still have a lot of thinking to do. I'm open to thoughts on this one.
I was thinking about it the other day. I used to be for the death penalty, but then I decided that creating a culture of life, a culture that included all life, was more important than meting out punishment. Although I came to be against the death penalty, I always qualified it that I was against it in this country, and that it may still be approrpiate outside the U.S.
Now I am faced with Saddam's execution, and I'm not sure what to think. Do I particularly care what happens to Saddam? Not really. As far as I'm concerned he's an evil man who is getting the punishment he deserves. Trust me, no tears will be shed here for this man when he... ahem... swings. But in general how do I feel about the execution?
Perhaps killing him will bring some closure to the Iraqi people, and will finally close his chapter in Iraq's history. Perhaps with him gone they can finally begin to move on out of the chaos and horror of the past to something better. But, if I were on the jury could I sign off on executing him? Could I put my name to that? And if I couldn't, can I really support it?
This makes me recall a column Fr. Jonathan did after Zarqawi was killed, and he asked what we should be rejoicing in? The death of another person, or that their evil actions have come to a halt. Perhaps I should look at Saddam similarly. If you want to read his post about Zarqawi, Zarqawi is Dead. Should We Rejoice?.
I think I still have a lot of thinking to do. I'm open to thoughts on this one.
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About Me
- catholicandgop
- Catholic and politically conservative, I graduated with a BA in History (concentration in American) and Political Science. I'm between two parishes; one in Wisconsin that is fairly traditional, and one in Illinois that is fairly liberal. I teach CCD. I work in the food service industry, which basically means I'm working in fast food until I find a better job. I'd like to work for the church somehow. Right now I'm working on getting my teaching certification, although I'm unsure thats the correct path for me. This blog is as random as I am. I hope you enjoy.
