3 minute read
The easy answer is not always the right one
In my Faith and Justice class, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays our class just finished reading the story of ''Dead Man Walking," by Sister Helen Prejean.
trial and error that has gone on in the world, we must come together and see that capital punishment, yet an easy answer, is not the right answer.
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Jamie Getka guest writer
Dr. Margaret McGuinness chose this book because our first topic in class is the issue of capital punishment and the death penalty. We have been discussing issues and debating on the pros and cons of the idea of capital punishment. As the class began to relate differ._________ ___. ent topics and ideas to this subject I began to feel my blood boiling. Throughout my life I have read about and discussed different cases having ended with the death penalty. The classroom discussions that have arisen have begun to refresh my memory on the seriousness of this issue. To execute or kill another human being, whether in the electric chair, by lethal injection, or being a member of the firing squad is a big decision to make. This decision should not be taken lightly because it is something you will have to accept and deal with for the rest of your life. I personally could never forgive myself if I had made the decision to be the executioner.
I truly believe that no matter how much evil you produce in the world, and what crirne(s) you may have committed, "an eye for an eye" does not seem a legitimate answer. I do not find any answer from a judge or a jury to be justifying or justified in the penal system. The only thing I feel that is being justified is that person's hatred for another human being, and the wrong that they have done. The cases that we have dealt with in the United States have not proven an effective decrease in the amount of crime in our nation. It has not effectively shown criminals that violent and hatred acts are wrong. Human response to justification and revenge are normal. The Catholic Church has even acknowledged this justification of human beings. Still, despite the
There will always be hatred in the world. I would feel more warranted if this hatred were to subside as much as possible. If human beings turn to the reconciliation process and begin to heal and cleanse their wounds, the end result would feel right. If people in today's society could learn forgiveness, our world would improve to extreme levels. Criminals would not feel the need to act out in such heinous ways, but to better express themselves by talking to another person. In my opinion we should allow them to sit in a jail cell for the rest of their lives. I would also assign each convict a spiritual adviser to meet with and develop a routine. This might allow those convicts that would have been on death row to receive the opportunity to repent their sins and begin the healing process.
Every human being is entitled to his or her full and natural life. By resorting to the means of capital punishment, we take away their right to free themselves and become absolved from their past sins. I was always taught that God will forgive you for everything that you do and ultimately, and most important repent your sins.
On the other hand, I would also justify society by choosing for these criminals to not be allowed to have decisions and free time such as other convicts with lesser charges receive. They should not be allowed to obtain jobs within the prison or have the opportunity to associate with other prisoners. I feel that their time should be devoted to personal reflection, hatred and self help. If they are given time to see the error of their ways, they will die knowing how the acts that they committed were wrong.
They must also reflect on the innocent lives that they have taken away from other persons. Their families must be thought of, and friends that are mourning the loss of that loved one.
This issue must be brought up with these convicts and spoken about. Allow them to see the reality of their wrong ways. If we simply put them in a chair, and stop their heart from beating, what message is our society sending? The Catholic Church has taken a strong stand against capital punishment, as have I. I stand behind the works of the Church in this area and hope that the death penalty may be one day officially abolished from all states, and countries. These are far cries for help, but with the right support and proper mentality I hope that one day our message will rein and God will receive the praise that he deserves. Remember, when Cain killed Abel, God did not ask for his life in return his brothers, but that he must roam the earth and realize the error in his ways.
Commentaries and letters to the editor may be submitted by the entire Cabrini campus community to Reneesc52@hotmail.com
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