‘Astonishingly cruel’: Alabama seeks to test execution method on death row ‘guinea pig’

jeffw@lemmy.world to politics @lemmy.world – 185 points – ‘Astonishingly cruel’: Alabama seeks to test execution method on death row ‘guinea pig’
theguardian.com

Nine months after Kenneth Smith’s botched lethal injection, state attorney general has asked for approval to kill him with nitrogen

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It is a punishment to fit the crime, as it should be.

When else does Jesus talk specifically about the death penalty? He was talking about getting hit with turn the other cheek. You can’t turn the other cheek when you are dead.

It's society seeking revenge. The dead don't care.

The bible talks about not seeking revenge on so many occasions.

One example:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17‭-‬21 NIV

Many other examples. Yet, evangelicals are some of the biggest proponents of this type of government-sanctioned revenge.

That isn’t talking about a secular death penalty, which has prescribed under the pentateuch such as at Numbers 35:16-20. Also, Romans is traditionally believed to be written by Paul and is not a gospel account.

But what does it matter? Policy should not be based on the Bible.

You keep going back to the old testament. That's what Jesus came to rectify.

Paul's letters are definitely seen as the among the most consequential scriptures. But you're right, it doesn't matter. Everyone has their own interpretation anyway.

Also, many of your fellow believers in the death penalty do believe that policy should be based on the bible. Just calling out the hypocrisy.

Came to fulfill, not rectify. But while you are in Romans, perhaps consider chapter 13. Especially verse 4.

Sure, fulfill. Which just proves my point even more.

Romans 13, 4 does not talk about capital punishment.

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Talks about bearing a sword for punishment. Sure sounds like it includes capital punishment