Don't you think though that God would frown upon us for killing others? I don't think God believes in the "eye for an eye" philosophy unless he is the one taking the eye.
About being soft on crime, I can totally agree with that. We aren't harsh enough on criminals and things are way too over thought. It should be more cut and dry.
AMEN! God sometimes has to put certain things in motion in order for His will to be done. His will is always done---he doesn't need our help. lol
Maybe we should move capital punishment to a new thread....? Anyway, Jen, I don't think God DOES frown on capital punishment. That's MY OPINION, you understand! There are wonderful Christians who disagree with me, which is just fine!!! But God IS a God of justice. He demands consequences for sin, and the ultimate punishment for ALL sin is death. At the same time, God is a God of mercy. But would He show mercy to a person who takes no responsibility for his crimes or is unrepentant?
Sadly, it won't be the last. Having the bible we all know that once the world comes to the point of Sodom and Gemorrah, Jesus will return. We are coming to the point vote by vote and tolerance by tolerance. Just as the bible teaches. God is awesome. What is the hymn...It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.....
Jackie, just so you know I respect your opinion and I wasn't trying to debate anything about it, only stating what I thought about it since it was brought up. I just believe that God takes care of all of them in hell, which is far worse a punishment you could ever get here and I am unsure if it is our place to play God. It's something that I still am confused about on a personal level because I have met many Christians who are very for the dealth penalty, like my husband, and others who are not. I am actually not sure exactly where my opinion stands on a whole. It's just something that I struggle with still. That's why I am in a way happy the law has passed, from what I have heard, but also happy I did not have to help pass it.
Jen, there's been too many times I've expressed an opinion, and people get all bent out of shape over it, thinking I'm being condemning or something. I know you know me better than that, but i've seen too many conversations where someone else has jumped in and misinterpreted what a person's said. That's why I was letting people know up-front that my opinion is just that, and I believe it's not a "matter of salvation", so to speak. So my comments were more clarification to anyone else who might be lurking about. It IS a complicated issue, and there really isn't a right or wrong to it.
It actually isn't a first - Massachusetts also has a law supporting gay marriage. However, Mass. also has a law not allowing anyone from out of state to get married there, and I doubt Arizona has that. Those of you who took your kids with you to vote, I find that really great. I've always gone with my parents and it really is a great experience - especially when we'd discuss how they voted. I still go with them, and I still learn - yesterday I learned what the American and Peace&Freedom parties are! I'm the odd homeschooler who's left wing...I went from being at a private school with a bunch of pink/green diaper babies to being in the minority!
Jordan, I THINK that in Massachusetts, the law was passed but not voted on by the people. I think the people were very upset, and insisted on putting it on the ballot, where it went down. Now, I may be wrong about that. That would make Arizona the first state that voted gay marriages in.
Actually gay marriage is still illegal here in AZ. What failed to pass was an amendment to the constitution stating that marriage is only between and man and a woman.
Hey Ladies! Haven't posted on here in FOREVER but do read faithfully. I couldn't resist getting in on this one, as I too have an opinion, of course. In Genesis 9, where God is talking with Noah about repopulating the earth after the flood and says: v5c and 6 "And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. 'Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.'" Just thought I'd throw that out there. Of course, I am no scholar... Hope I've not stepped on any toes here but this is where my opinion has come from on this subject. I just find it so awesome that God addresses EVERYTHING in His Word.
Hey Angie! Nice to see ya! Thanks for the verse. When in doubt look to the book! That is the verse my pastor uses on this issue. I forgot about that until you just brought it up.
I found another awesome passage on the subject this morning too. It's Exodus 21:12-14: "Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death." Wonder if prison qualifies as the place He designates today?
I think those "designated places" were towns the guilty could flee to where relatives of the dead person could not seek vengance. But were they to leave that place, the relatives could have him killed. I believe they were called "Cities of Refuge".
Yes, we studied about those in our Ancient History lessons! The person that accidentally killed someone could run to those cities. The relatives of the one killed, could also run after him. If they caught up with him....well, we know what happened. But if he made it there, they could not go into that city of refuge. Once someone was there, however, they had to stay there. They were no longer able to be with their families or do the work they had been doing.
The law was passed by the state houses, yes. I didn't know it went down, though.... Personally, I don't think the government really has any business telling people who can and can't marry.
yes, for a time Marriage was legal for all people in mass. however the issuse was put back to ballot and overturned. vermont, california and mass. all offer "civil unions" for all of you who have made comments to the morailty of voteing for or aginst gay mariage, or about too much tollerance bringing about end times, how many of you actually know a gay family? do you know anything about the people you are voteing to strip civil rights from? i dont understand the thought process behind this. i thought God said we were supposed to love everyone, and what about the speck before the plank stuff? imho THAT is where we have gone wrong... not by being too tollerant. God diddnt say judge!
