Monday, July 16, 2007

There is no closure.


A Formula for Justice, Revenge or Disaster

The Formula: One Condemned Man + The Dark of Night + One Lethal Injection = ???

Last year 53 men were executed in the United States. The state of Georgia is scheduled to put Tony Davis to death tomorrow night 7/17/07 pending the out come of a clemency hearing held this morning.

Based on the aforementioned formula what do we conjure up when we mix a condemned man a dark night and a lethal injection?

Some might say justice, others closure or maybe if we are honest revenge. The formula will provide a different result depending on who is doing the mixing.

The Catholic Church teaches that society has a right to protect its citizens. The method used to provide this protection may include jail time, probation or any number of resources in an attempt to bring about rehabilitation.

The Catholic Church has long been a herald for the right to life. Not only for the unborn but for the elderly and condemned. Life is sacred for all including victims of violent crimes.

When a life is taken it is difficult to bring about a resolution that will satisfy all parties concerned. The sentence is to harsh not harsh enough and expectations are seldom met. Life in prison is far from realty. Parole and time off for good behavior anger many. The answer is Life means life. A life sentence means death in prison.

Putting someone to death might bring about an end to a bad dream for the victims family or does it. It seems to me the bad dream shifts from the victims family to the condemned mans family. In the end the dream continues for both families.

There are a number of reasons given for the use of the death penalty and conversely a number of reasons to abolish the death penalty.

I was a strong proponent of the death penalty for a number of years. After much soul searching I believe the death penalty needs to be abolished.

1. If life is sacred it must be protected.

2. The death of the condemned won’t bring life back to the victims.

3. The execution eliminates any and all opportunities for the condemned to seek forgiveness and redemption for their soul.

The formula no matter who is doing the mixing never brings about the desired result. We don’t find justice or closure but a feeling of loss that seems to linger.