Re: [Bulk] Re: Death penalty

>> Another argument for keeping religion out of government and vice versa.
>
>>Not contradicting you here, but not following, either. What's the
>> argument?<
>
> Before I answer, are you suggesting that the religious argument be used by
> society/the government in support of abolishing the death penalty?

No. Just wasn't seeing the connection between what Dave was saying
(that execution cuts short a person's time to find redemption) and
what you were saying (that this is a good reason to keep religion out
of government and vice versa).

> It wasn't so much an argument, (or just an admittedly very self serving
> one), as an observation that the forgiveness argument is a pretty blatant
> violation of the separation of church and state.

It would be, yes, if it were used by the state as a reason for not
having a death penalty. (I feel the fact that it's barbaric is reason
enough, anyway. <g>)  But we can both agree there's nothing wrong with
a religious person feeling this way, and supporting or not the death
penalty accordingly.

In a sense, we can never "keep religion out of government" in a
representative republic. The government's made up of people who vote
according to their values, and their values are often informed by
their religion. (But we can sure as hell keep government out of
religion.)

>> But even from a religious perspective isn't it just as likely, if not
>> moreso, that putting a guy on death row would get him thinking
>> of repentance, forgiveness, the afterlife, etc.?
>
>>I know, I know, it's not the *exactly* the same, you're not advocating
> putting people on death row for the sole purpose of saving their
> souls, but my point is that a threat of execution probably isn't the
> most morally sound way to get people thinking about repentence -- and
> it's certainly not a justification for "immoral homicide," if that is
> indeed what the death penalty is.<
>
> Um.... what do you call it when someone takes something you said and uses,
> (misuses), it to argue against a point you weren't making?

LOL! Hey, I girded myself on this one! I acknowledged it's not exactly
the same kind of argument. It just sounded a wee bit creepy. (And yes,
I know you weren't using it as a justification for the death penalty,
I was merely expanding on my argument, musing aloud, etc. And what's
going on with you and Karl? Are we not allowed to do that around here
anymore? Did I miss a memo?)

> I was merely pointing out a flaw, or counter argument, to the
> religious argument.

Not a very good one, I might add. Someone who objects to execution on
the grounds that it cuts short a person's time to find redemption
isn't likely to be persuaded by the counter (sincere or otherwise)
that you're merely speeding up the process.

-- 
-pcg
 [email protected]

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