CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27112, 7 August 1953, Page 7

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Sir, —The question is then, whether Christianity stands for mercy or vengeance for death or reclamation? Forgiveness of the murderer does not imply his release in society, which has a right to protection; but it claims the offender’s right to live and work out his salvation in suitable detention, even to make some restitution to society through useful work, while hope is held that scientific effort, combined with Christian faith, may win through. Think of the scientific effort today directed toward the production of weapons to kill men, and then consider if modern knowledge should be more freely applied to criminology? The New Testament phraseology ‘Till seventy times seven” in the forgiveness teaching, means never give up hoping for the desired change.—Yours, etc., N. BECK. August 6, 1953. Sir, —In Exodus 21: 24, in which it says “an eye for an eye,” in verse 28 it also states, “If an ox gore a man or woman it shall be stoned.” In Exodus 22: 18 it is commanded, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” and in Leviticus 20: 10, “The adultered and the adultress shall surely be put to death.” Yet Jesus said to the woman taken in adultery, “Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.” (John 8: 11.) Would A. R. Beckwith recommend the reintroduction of these old laws, too? Surely the application of the law should be reformative.—Yours, etc., AMY WILLMOT. August 6, 1953.

Sir, —If only people knew. . . . Killing a murderer is only “handing on the baby.” Those with cosmic knowledge will understand this. Sins are. I believe, committed in ignorance of the fact that the sinner inevitably harms himself; so with the murderer, who doesn’t really understand the enormity of his action. He knows society considers it wrong to murder, but he doesn’t truly understand why it is wrong. Murderers, in common with everyone, are born on earth for a purpose—to learn something. Clearly it is the duty of the more enlightened to help those who understand less; killing a murderer simply frustrates his life’s purpose. Certainly, it is foolish to free a murderer; he must be restrained, but let it be in an institution wherein he will be understood and gradually enlightened. Such an institution is run by a monk in France, so it can be done. Why not here?—Yours, etc., M. August 6, 1953.