How do you reconcile your views . . .

Madea

Madea

zip a dee doo dah
If your view is that both the death penalty and abortion are wrong, this topic won't apply to you. Conversely, if you believe they are both right, it won't apply to you.

HOWEVER, if you believe that one is wrong, and the other right, how do you reconcile those viewpoints? I've wrestled this one myself and want to know how others have worked this one out.
 
First, let's look at the general definifition of "murder":

the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought.


I believe in order to reconcile such a view, an individual must have a foundation to begin with, such as a belief system. That belief systems sets rules and boudaries. Most all of us like sports, but without rules and boundaries, there would be no games. Well, there wouldn't be games worth watching...

I base my personal views on God's Word. It's is the strongest foundation and it will withstand time until time is no more. As many a craftsman has said....when all else fails, read the instructions:

Exodus 21: 12-17

12He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver [him] into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.


You may notice Exodus is FAR more strict than we are

Leviticus 24: 17-21

17And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
18 And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.
19 And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;
20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him [again].
21 And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.


There have to be boudaries and there have to be rules, otherwise society will collapse. There is evidence of that right now.

Can we agree that over the years there may have been an innocent man executed? Yes, it's possible and we may never know. But let's not forget that in most ANY crime, the element of "Intent" must be present.

If there had been any innocents executed, was the intent of the justice system to murder them deliberately? I think we'd be had pressed to believe that.

On the other hand, there is one thing we DO KNOW to be a fact concerning abortion. Every single child IS INNOCENT. Can we show the intent under those circumstances. YES

I have NO difficulty AT ALL in reconciling the difference in my mind, just as I can CLEARLY tell the difference between murder and the killing of the enemy on the battle field. Those who believe they are one in the same simply have no foundation or true belief system.
 
I agree with Reacher. I too have reconciled this the same way. My problem came in the animal field. How do I reconcile spaying a pregnant female animal. I was able to reconcile this because God gave us dominion over the animals, and it is our job to take care of them.
 
I am by no means a sinless person, it's just my belief. I'm not one of those who is suggesting that anyone who had an abortion is on the first train to hell....nothing like that. And me being male makes it a lot easier for me say than do. My main problem with abortion is that has been so widely accepted as a form of borth control, instead of a health issue or rape issue. Not that it would even be "right" under those circumstances in God's eyes, but more understandable in a human's mind.
 
What do you think about this from GotQuestions.org?


Check it out - www.GotQuestions.org has a new look!


Question: "What does the Bible say about the death penalty / capital punishment?"

Answer: The Old Testament law commanded the death penalty for various acts: murder (Exodus 21:12), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), bestiality (Exodus 22:19), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), being a false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:5), prostitution and rape (Deuteronomy 22:24), and several other crimes. However, God often showed mercy when the death penalty was due. David committed adultery and murder, yet God did not demand his life be taken (2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-17; 2 Samuel 12:13). Ultimately, every sin we commit should result in the death penalty because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, God demonstrates His love for us in not condemning us (Romans 5:8).

When the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and asked Him if she should be stoned, Jesus replied, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). This should not be used to indicate that Jesus rejected capital punishment in all instances. Jesus was simply exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus into breaking the Old Testament law; they did not truly care about the woman being stoned (where was the man who was caught in adultery?) God is the One who instituted capital punishment: “Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Jesus would support capital punishment in some instances. Jesus also demonstrated grace when capital punishment was due (John 8:1-11). The apostle Paul definitely recognized the power of the government to institute capital punishment where appropriate (Romans 13:1-7).

How should a Christian view the death penalty? First, we must remember that God has instituted capital punishment in His Word; therefore, it would be presumptuous of us to think that we could institute a higher standard. God has the highest standard of any being; He is perfect. This standard applies not only to us but to Himself. Therefore, He loves to an infinite degree, and He has mercy to an infinite degree. We also see that He has wrath to an infinite degree, and it is all maintained in a perfect balance.

Second, we must recognize that God has given government the authority to determine when capital punishment is due (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-7). It is unbiblical to claim that God opposes the death penalty in all instances. Christians should never rejoice when the death penalty is employed, but at the same time, Christians should not fight against the government’s right to execute the perpetrators of the most evil of crimes.
 
I agree with Jack. I was able to watch the Gary Hilton trial in Florida (the guy that killed and mutiliated a girl in GA and one in FL) and just seeing that guy gave me the willies. He was sentenced to death in Florida and after watching that trial, I couldn't imagine him getting anything less. Anyway, the one thing that I will say about Troy Davis, is that my prayer for him is and was that he had sought God and asked forgiveness for his sins. If he did, then the Bible says that he is forgiven and we can talk to him about what really happened when we get to heaven. I pray for his family - dealing with the loss of a son or a brother is unimaginable to me, regardless of the circumstances.

The one thing that really bothers me about abortion is that I had my first ultrasound at 8 weeks - the princess had a heartbeat even when she looked like a tiny jellybean. I can't imagine what kind of mindset you have to have to get an abortion.
 
unionmom said:
Super short and sweet ... unborn baby is guilty of no crime/sin, death row convict is.
Click to expand...

Yep, this is how I see it. An unborn child is innocent and not condemned of any of man's laws.
 
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