Let me explain the pro-life stand on the Death Penalty and emergency situations, as pro-lifers are often misunderstood to the point of ridicule.
No, it does not stand on the same breadth as issues like abortion and euthanasia, or even in vitro fertilization or contraception (the last two items are my own opinion). In fact, I could say with some confidence that if the Death Penalty were the only solution in order to fully protect our citizens, then so be it.
But we conveniently miss out the fact that this is the 21st century, and we’re supposed to have solutions other than just killing criminals off.
There are numerous studies pointing out the fact that the Death Penalty does very little to discourage crime, and yet there are people who still want it reinstated. I would say they’re not really out for justice. They’re only out for retribution, let’s be honest.
In emergency situations, e.g. there are hostages involved, if shooting the perpetrators seem the most viable decision at the time, then it must be done so efficiently in order to protect the victims. This is not rocket science. This is the reason why they shot the ape without much thought or debate a few weeks ago – because they recognize the value of the child.
But emergency situations are the exemption, not the rule.
What I am alarmed is the continuing disdain for human life, just because other humans share this similar disdain as shown by their crimes. We will not progress as a society if we share the same bloodlust and go kill off every criminal.
No, let me clarify, the pro-life stand is not to be misconstrued as siding with the criminals instead of the victims. This is a very crude and misinformed opinion about those who stand for life. There is human dignity by virtue of being alive; some do not live up to this dignity and commit the most odious and utterly wicked crimes. This does not mean that the dignity of this person as a child of God is lost; we must respect his life, no matter how much anger we hold in our hearts for his misdeeds, but we have to hold him responsible for the crime he has committed.
I tend to believe in the concept of restorative justice instead of the usual crime and punishment treatment of criminals. He must repair the damage he has done in every way possible, and victims are encouraged to take an active role in the healing process.
We have a long way to go before we can ever have a peaceful society. Peace is not an absence of conflict. Peace is where we grow together, despite our differences, and respect each other. Respect is a prerequisite for peace, and the first thing we have to respect is the right to life – especially the right to the life of those whom we feel do not deserve to live.