Would Jesus have suported the Death Penalty

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin


It reads like a Hollywood script where the hero smiles affectionately down on the good deeds of his son/apprentice/whatever.

I also think it would be hard for anyone being crucified to actually turn their head to face another person on a cross and smile at them. I don't recall the bible version saying he did that either.

More likely Jesus would have made a thoughtful reply.

Well Jesus was a hero, and I dont find it hard to believe that he turned his head and smiled at the thief. Jesus expended a lot of physical effort throughout his life in the service of others, so I dont see why he wouldnt in this case.

[Boris Godunov]

Ah...misread you, thought you were talking about him speaking to the crucifyers, not other crucifyees...

[SlowwHand]

When the Lord said vengenance was his, I don't equate that with punishment for bad behavior.
Alll bad behavior from a child's misconduct to theft to rape to murder has varying and intensified punishment and/or consequences.

The vengeance is the possibility of burning for eternity in Hell. That's AFTER punishment on earth.

[Dauphin]

Although I don't believe in Hell, I still don't want to be refused entry to heaven.

[SlowwHand]

My theory on why one can't exist without the other.
Frame of reference. A basis of comparison.
One can't know good without bad to compare it to.
Given that, one couldn't know the Ultimate Good without the Ultimate Bad.

[Caligastia]

I believe the ultimate bad (opposite of "heaven") is to vanish from existence, not burn in eternal hellfire.

[SlowwHand]

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin


Jesus performed miracles on the Sabbath, and he wasn't renowned for being a hypocrite

This is specifically addressed in the scriptures.

And back to subject of Hell.
If you believe in Heaven, you believe in souls.
Is it your belief all souls go to Heaven, whether there is repentance or not?
If no, where do they go?

[Dauphin]

What about the good old light comparison.

1) God is the light.
2) The measure of "luminosity" is the measure of light and not the measure of darkness.
3) Hence darkness is the lack of light and not a substance in its own right.
4) Hence being in the dark is simply being in nothingness.


Reminds of a Terry Pratchett quote "What is the speed of dark? Well it has to be faster than the speed of light in order to get out of its way". (or words to that effect)

[SlowwHand]

That's still a comparison.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
And back to subject of Hell.
If you believe in Heaven, you believe in souls.
Is it your belief all souls go to Heaven, whether there is repentance or not?
If no, where do they go?

I dont believe you go to heaven or hell and either relax on a cloud or suffer eternal agony. I believe that as mortals we are on the lowest level of creation, and must ascend through many other levels before reaching paradise. This only happens if we choose to do God's will. If we choose not to do God's will for long enough then we dont progress and eventually fade from existence.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
That's still a comparison.

What are you expecting?

Is it your belief all souls go to Heaven, whether there is repentance or not?
If no, where do they go?

All souls can go to heaven, there is no time limit on repentance - even after death you can repent.
If a soul does not repent, they stay in the dark until such point as they do repent.


I don't believe this to be true with any great conviction, but as a Christian based thought it is the one I am most inclined to believe.

[DinoDoc]

Seeing as how the Death Penalty is practiced in the New Testament, I'd have to say it is a safe bet he didn't have much of a problem with it in principle.

[SlowwHand]

I'm not criticizing the comparison, S.D., just noting it.
You're agreeing with my earlier reference statement.

As far as The Dark, I take it you mean sort of like a Catholic Purgatory?
I'm not Catholic, and think after you squeeze the toothpaste out it's too late to put back in the tube.
I agree that were a Soul to be standing at the gates of Hell, undoubtably repentance would hit near 100% participation.
I also think that's kind of crappy for people who at least made some kind of effort during their "earth lives" to do what's considered "right".
Then, WHAM! Living next door to Hitler or some other skank who never made effort 1.

[mactbone]

Well Slow, good ol' J.C. was all about forgiveness - since Church leaders always need a consequence, they latched onto - "the bad thing that happens when you die if you don't give us money".

Anyways, why would it matter to an omnipotent being when you repent? Presumably he encompasses all time - so time loses meaning. One day, one hour, one millenia is the same on a comparative scale.

[SlowwHand]

All we have are opinions, Mac.
I'm giving mine is all. You'll never see me make the statement that all I believe is carved in stone tablets.