It’s a busy day, but I did want to briefly post about the battle to save the life of Stanley "Tookie" Williams.
One of the few things I’ve been consistent on throughout my life is my opposition to the death penalty. That opposition is not rooted in a fear that the innocent may be executed; it isn’t rooted in an ignorance as to the horror of the crimes invariably involved. It is rooted in the conviction that everyone who participates in an execution is invariably brutalized, even if they aren’t entirely aware of it at the time. The guards, the wardens, the witnesses, and the citizens of the state in whose name the execution is carried out are all a bit darker, a bit less human, as a result.
My mother reminded me last night of this famous Shaw line that seems most apropos: It is the deed that teaches, not the name we give it. The message of capital punishment is not a life-valuing message. As the old bumper sticker says, it makes no sense to "Kill people who kill people to prove that killing people is wrong." The message of the death penalty is that we, the people, ought to have sovereign power over life itself, and that is a message I believe to be utterly at odds with the Gospel message.
But l’m troubled by the focus on Tookie’s story of redemption. For me, at least, it makes not an iota of difference whether he has redeemed himself or not. Obviously, I’m glad he’s done the work he has. But authentic and consistent opposition to the death penalty must be based on the abhorrence of state-sanctioned murder, not on the perceived virtues of the condemned. I’m as opposed to the death penalty for the vicious and the apparently irredeemable as I am for the Tookie Williamses of the world. If Tookie Williams is executed, I will grieve neither more nor less than I do any other execution committed in my name.
That doesn’t mean I’m not praying for clemency, and I’ve already contacted Gov. Schwarzenegger by e-mail and phone to express that to him.
I do not disagree with your reasoning on the death penalty, but I have to wonder how you reconcile this with the Mosaic law and its capital punishment for so many different offenses. Even though Christians often claim to be free of Mosaic law, it was still directly from God to the Jews of the day. Did God subject His people to the debasement that you describe, or was that different? If so, then how was it different?
Many folks have given longer answers than I can right now, stanton, but if there’s one thing that Jesus does over and over again, it is begin phrases with “You have heard…” (referring to Mosaic law) and then continuing “but I say…”
God and His people are in an ongoing relationship, and like all relationships, we are subject to growth and surprise, particularly when that growth is in the direction of more Christ-like compassion, humility,and gentleness.
Well, I think Jesus did that only in the Sermon on the Mount, where most of his admonitions were strengthening the Mosaic law, rather than softening or dismissing it (Ex: Mosaic law condemns adultery, Jesus condemns the lustful thought with or without the action). At least one of those expressions (”You have heard it said ‘love your neighbor and hate your enemies’”) wasn’t in the law at all. But in any event, Jesus made NO statement about capital punishment (in Matthew 5/6 or anywhere ealse), and it is an astonishing stretch to claim that Jesus’ explication here gives everyone else the authority to reinterpret scripture with their own personal list of “but I say” preferences. You say there are some longer (and more convoluted?) justifications out there. I would be interested in seeing some. Links?
To your second point: Yes, relationships change, and the Biblical relationship between God and man, as understood by Christians, has changed. Are you saying that the nature of taking human life is different now as well? That it wasn’t brutalizing to the Israelites when they stoned a boy for defying his mother, as it now is to Americans when they execute a vicious murderer? (I ask as man who is fundamentally against the taking of human life, as you are.)
I definitely agree about the redemption stories — it’s the flip side of “well, forget the crime he’s accused of, he’s a terrible person who would kill again”. If it’s not okay to argue that some people should be executed for reasons other than the actual crime they were convicted of, it shouldn’t be any more okay to argue that they should live for reasons other than the actual crime they were convicted of.
I agree with you, Hugo, 100%.
Several comments:
1. One can look at the incident in the book of Acts in which the husband and wife dropped dead after cheating the believers out of some money, and the later incident in the book of Acts where one of the Herods was praised as a god and immediately struck down. While one can argue that God struck these three down, the believers were certainly in agreement with the punishment (especially with the wife, since the believers predicted her death before it happened).
2. Redemption in this case is interesting, since Williams does not claim to be redeemed for the crimes that landed him on Death Row, instead claiming redemption from his general gang and drug life. However, in everything I’ve read there seems to be a lack of specifics as to the “god” that redeemed Tookie. Is he now a Christian, a Muslim, a New Ager, or what? I realize that we can’t read someone’s heart (and I don’t necessarily agree with John and Ken who are certain that Tookie is going to “a bad place” - again, we just don’t know), but his testimony of redemption is somewhat lacking.
3. I need to explore your blog and figure out what an Anabaptist/Episcopalian is - the terms sound mutually exclusive. However, I have to state that this is my favorite Anabaptist/Episcopalian blog that I have ever read.
Let me commend to everyone this terrific anti-death penalty piece from First Things (a surprising source indeed!):
http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0508/articles/bottum.html
Although I believe that Tookie should be executed not only for the murders but because he “co-founded” the Cryps street gang in LA County, I find your take on life in prison interesting. Your position, and those similar, is really the only defensible take on the case. More specifically, your arguement against the death penalty is not angled to save scum like Tookie, but instead to prevent state-sanctioned executions, as state-sanctioned executions are murder, to you and those likeminded.
This is a position I disagree with, however, I respect your opinion because it is cogent and consistent with your value system. Good luck on your end of the debate. If you did believe in state-sanctioned execution, I think you would be in favor of executing Tookie.
Which work are you talking about? The part about founding the Crips and murdering four innocent people? Or maybe you’re talking about what he did after in prison, such as planning a prison break which, had it been carried out as planned, would have involved several more murders, as well? Or perhaps you’re more impressed by his refusal to admit to the murders he’s supposedly “redeemed” himself of, or to help prevent future ones by telling the authorities what he knows about the gang he claims to have renounced?
If there is such thing as a vicious, irredeemable killer, the Tookie Monster is it.
But in any event, Jesus made NO statement about capital punishment
Stanton, what of the woman taken in adultery? “Let he who has no sin cast the first stone.”
but I have to wonder how you reconcile this with the Mosaic law and its capital punishment for so many different offenses
The Mosaic law is not just what’s written in the Torah. The Oral Law makes it clear that we aren’t fundamentalists. Like most of their Mesopotamian neighbors, the Jews treated capital punishment as an extreme upper end–most crimes really ended up with lesser punishments (like fines).
HUGO . I love your consistent life ethic stance. Your comment “the guards, the wardens, the witnesses, and the citizens of the state in whose name the execution is carried out are all a bit darker, a bit less human, as a result” summoned up the horror of the death penalty perfectly. Your comment “it makes not an iota of difference whether he has redeemed himself or not” caught me off guard. I realize you where trying to make a point about what opposition to the death penalty should and should not be based on. However I believe themes of redemption fit rightfully into the opposition of the death penalty. When we take others life’s and judgements into our own hands we do a great misjustice to the work of God and his plan of redeption for each of us. Christ’s death has just as much significance in Tookie’s life as it does for each of us sinners.
Noelvictoria, you’re right, I think, in suggesting that one reason for opposing the death penalty is that we must always be open to the possibility of future redemption. What I am wary of, and what I was referring to, was using Tookie’s personal story to suggest that he is especially worthy of being apared. When I said I don’t care “an iota”, I meant his personal circumstances are irrelevant to my categorical opposition to the death penalty. In this, I am oddly similar to some of those who are most eager to see him executed.
‘But this is terrible!’ cried Frodo. ‘Far worse than the worst that I imagined from your hints and warnings. O Gandalf, best of friends, what am I to do? For now I am really afraid. What am I to do? What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!’
‘Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.’
I am sorry,’ said Frodo. ‘But I am frightened; and I do not feel any pity for Gollum.’
‘You have not seen him,’ Gandalf broke in.
‘No, and I don’t want to,’ said Frodo. ‘I can’t understand you. Do you mean to say that you, and the Elves, have let him live on after all those horrible deeds? Now at any rate he is as bad as an Orc, and just an enemy. He deserves death.’
‘Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it. And he is bound up with the fate of the Ring. My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many - yours not least. In any case we did not kill him: he is very old and very wretched. The Wood-elves have him in prison, but they treat him with such kindness as they can find in their wise hearts.’
That doesn’t mean I’m not praying for clemency, and I’ve already contacted Gov. Schwarzenegger by e-mail and phone to express that to him.
The obvious question: Do you tend to do that regularly for every death row inmate who is about to be executed in California, or just this time for Tookie?
I am asking this because very few death row inmates get large public support from progressives and celebrities, and it is hard not to notice certain things such inmates have in common. The anti-DP movement would be a lot more credible in their “killing murderers is always wrong” and “he has been a really nice guy since he was locked in his cell” arguments if, say, some white rapist-murderer ever received similar mass movement behind them.
In fact, even the majority of political progressives support death penalty. To see this, simply ask some of them what they would consider to be an appropriate punishment for rapists, or those who commit hate crimes against gays or blacks. Some form of torture leading to death seems to be a typical answer, in my experience.
Stanton:
Caitriona:
ahh. I see what you were saying. good thoughts. thanks Hugo
It’s pretty silly to claim that Jesus specifically said something about capital punishment either way. He had a lot to say about forgiveness and hypocrisy, mind.
Ilkka, I have never met a serious progressive who seriously advocated for the death penalty for racists or homophobes. Most I know were tremendously relieved when the murderers of Matt Shepard got life and not the death chamber.
For all dozen or so executions in California since 1992 (when they resumed with Robert Alton Harris), I have contacted the governor’s office. I have also contacted the governor’s office before executions that ended up being delayed or not taking place at all.
The redemption story is important in terms of showing how these are actual people we are killing, lost souls and sinners who still have humanity. It’s all too easy for America to perceive them as monsters to be disposed of, and we need concrete reminders that this act is “killing a human being”.
Why did Jesus need to say anything about capital punishment, when we’ve already got a Commandment from God saying “Thou Shalt Not Kill/Murder”?
Scarbo: Why did Jesus need to say anything about capital punishment, when we’ve already got a Commandment from God saying “Thou Shalt Not Kill/Murder”?
And we have earlier words directly from God Himself to Noah, after the flood, saying “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” Given this, was he ordering His people to be killers/murderers when he told them to carry out stonings of violators of the law? Or is the God-commanded execution of a miscreant possibly not regarded by God as murder?
Caitrona: Stanton, what of the woman taken in adultery? “Let he who has no sin cast the first stone.”
I know that this passage has been used to argue that Jesus opposed capital punishment, but that is obviously an extrapolation at best. This was an attempt to put Jesus in a position where any answer he gave would discredit him. If he said she should be stoned, the Romans would take him away. If he said she should not be stoned, many of the Jews would reject him. It was an amazing answer he gave, defusing the situation and giving his enemies no grounds for condemning him.
But even if this is considered to be a rejection of capital punishment, my question for Christians (and Jews as well) is regarding the arguments often used against the practice. In this case, Hugo argues that it is a brutalizing influence on those who are involved, both individually and socially. I happen to agree with this. But I don’t see how a Christian or Jew can think such a thing, when God Himself ordered His people to carry out executions.
Because a violation of that commandment is punishable by death.
That’s one possible explanation. Another is that they put her up to it themselves, which would explain why they claimed to have caught “her” rather than “them” in the act. Under that reading, “let him who is without sin…” could be interpreted more narrowly to mean “let him who is blameless in this instance…”
By that logic, let him who has never murdered four innocent people cast the first proverbial stone toward Mr. Williams.
I think one of the problems folks have with capital punishment, is their own static view of the affair. I like to see CP as the state looking out for the marginalized, the weak, and those who don’t run around killing people. In the static view, one person kills another, then the states sanctions the killing of the perpetrator. Some think this justice and others think it retribution; but both argue with a sense of moral supremacy.
I side with justice, but not in the linear fashion. I would put myself at the crime; I would see the innocent and the guilty. I would ask myself—to prevent lose of this innocent life—would I have need to take it from the executioner? The people are saying, if we could have been there, we would have protected you to the fullest and most necessary means. Capital punishment is carrying out the intent of the state to protect the individual, not vengeance of the slain innocent. People put their faith in the law, and if it weren’t upheld (or attempted to be), the law would become null and void (as some believe it is in the process).
“…state-sanctioned murder” as if “they” are innocent.
I agree that all the talk about redemption is a bit of a red herring here. For those who oppose the death penalty, the real reason is fundamentally that the State should not be in the business of killing it’s citizens. Violence has a tendency to beget more violence, and I too worry about the effects on society as a whole. What message does it send about the proper limits of State power if we say that the State has the right to decide who lives and who dies?
That’s before we even get into all the problems with the racially biased way the death penalty if applied. There’s also the fact that, looking at the evidence, it doesn’t seem to have any deterrent effect at all, so even from a coldly practical and amoral point of view it doesn’t make sense to continue executing people.
You raised an important point that I think is often overlooked in discussions of this issue. What effect does the application of the death penalty have on those charged with carrying it out? I’m not a religious person, but for those who are, would such an act not be regarded as placing an indelible stain on the souls of the participants? I often wonder what pyschological effects the executioners may suffer later in life, especially if their values change as they grow older, as so often happens. Are they haunted by regret in their later years? Is it right for the state to risk imposing that burden upon them?
That’s before we even get into all the problems with the racially biased way the death penalty if applied.
What evidence supports this claim? Do you mean the race of the (convicted) murderers or the race of their victims?
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cp.htm
There’s also the fact that, looking at the evidence, it doesn’t seem to have any deterrent effect at all,
This point, if true, may undercut one rationale for capital punishment; however, supporters of the death penalty claim other other motives for the state having death as an option in its methods to safeguard citizens.
What effect does the application of the death penalty have on those charged with carrying it out? I’m not a religious person, but for those who are, would such an act not be regarded as placing an indelible stain on the souls of the participants? I often wonder what pyschological effects the executioners may suffer later in life, especially if their values change as they grow older, as so often happens. Are they haunted by regret in their later years? Is it right for the state to risk imposing that burden upon them?
Substitute “abortion” for “the death penalty” - the only difference being the “executioners” are not (always) state employees..or perhaps if your view of “life” starts at a point later than in the womb.
I admire your post Hugo in cutting through the hype to get at the core issue. Although, when you wrote this - “It is the deed that teaches, not the name we give it” - I again thought of abortion.
Substitute “abortion” for “the death penalty” - the only difference being the “executioners” are not (always) state employees..or perhaps if your view of “life” starts at a point later than in the womb.
I admire your post Hugo in cutting through the hype to get at the core issue. Although, when you wrote this - “It is the deed that teaches, not the name we give it” - I again thought of abortion.
Col Steve, that is why there are many who oppose both abortion and the death penalty and who support aid to underprivileged families. There needs to be a better distinction between “Right to Birth” and “Right to Life.” “Right to Life,” to me, begins at conception, goes through birth, carries on through life, and includes a stance on “no death penalty.” There are many others out there with similar feelings on the subject.
ACK!! Kill the italics!
Did this get it?
I’m late joining in on this discussion, but here’s my view on reconciling the Mosaic law with my opposition to the death penalty. Israel in the Bible was established as an actual theocracy with no separation of church and state. The people who lived under the Mosaic law knew that they were accepting it as being directly from God and being above questioning (anyone who disagreed would have to leave the country and the covenant). Because of that, I feel that I can view their use of the death penalty as consistent with my belief that only God has the right to end someone’s life. Even so, the government in Israel grew more and more corrupt after the death of Moses, and it wasn’t long before the law and the death penalty were being misused. There’s a lesson in that.
Our government is not a theocracy. We don’t all follow one religion, and we do have separation of church and state. So I still feel comfortable saying that I don’t believe in state-sanctioned killing by our government or any other one.
Must.. kill.. italics…
Hows that?
I would like to see this kind of concern for people trapped by the justice system other than a convicted murderer. For example, here in California the voters passed a medical marijuana law. The federal government responded by attacking medical marijuana clinics. It’s an interesting commentary, by the way, on the government claiming to be fighting for “freedom” in Iraq (and let me note the Democrats are no different from the GOP on this issue).
I have been an activist on this issue, and find it very interesting that you can mobilize Hollywood and such to rally behind a Tookie. But they generally ignore the millions of people whose lives are destroyed by repression, frame-ups and police brutality.
PS: You still have italics!
I did not use any italic tags in my prior post. But I’ll try the “close italics” tag to see if it ends this.
Here are the thoughts pressed out of me the night Tookie was executed:
MERCY
We all say, “What would Jesus do?”
As if to start a thought
NOT knowing what was in His heart
The day that we were bought
Our sins were left there at the cross
Not one more left to carry
Yet still we take each others lives
Not caring who we bury
Forever judging others sins
Instead of following
The mercy and the grace He gives
In Jesus Christ, our King
Now Tookie knew that he had slipped
Into the great abyss
But while he sat alone in time
One thing he did not miss
He knew His Fathers promises
The payment that was made
The priceless blood shed long ago
His debt already paid
If only those who run our world
Could see beyond their nose
They might find out that Jesus Christ
Already died and rose
Some think He did it just for them
Their little sins washed clean
But like the white washed sepulchers
Their hearts are always seen
I wonder how the hard heart bleeds
Does red blood flow throughout?
Or is it full of hurt and pain
No mercy, only doubt
Where does the hatred lie within
That spews forth, “Let him die!”?
As if another on the cross
Will change the evil lie
You see it’s Satan’s plan to come
And squash the mercy seat
That one day we will stand before
Yes, Jesus we will meet
For those whose hearts do not learn here
The truth of Calvary
They’ll learn it begging for His Heart
His generosity
For mercy will cry from their hearts
With tears that fall like rain
But only what is bound on earth
Will fall upon their pain
For God can not give back to us
What we have not let flow
And while we may plead, “Mercy! Please!”
What’s in our heart He’ll show
For He will look upon our hearts
And judge us one by one
And how we love our brothers now
Will tell us if we’ve won
The race is love right from the start
There’s nothing in between
To live our lives, as Christ lived His
All that we do is seen
Saul was one who slaughtered Christians
Yet, Paul he would become
Our God forgave him of his crimes
To build on His Kingdom
If the mercy of our Master
Does not seek a life
Then why must we feel so compelled
To answer with a knife?
I cannot fathom those who say
I am a Christian soul
While harboring a thirst for death
As if to clear a cold
My heart and soul cry out for God
To soften all who hate
No matter what our brothers’ done
We’ll all stand at the gate
If mercy is what we show forth
Then that is what He’ll give
For those who keep the flame alive
I know He’ll let us live
We all say, “What would Jesus do?”
As if to start a thought
NOW knowing what was in His heart
The day that we were bought!
IT WAS MERCY!
Bonnie M. Gordon 12/13/2005