Thou Shalt Execute

Thou Shalt Execute

I’ve always been fascinated, in a bad way, by people who wish to ban abortions under a notion of a “right to life,” but who believe strongly in the death penalty. Some are quick to demand military strikes for any number of reasons, often to enforce political, religious and cultural mandates. The support arming despots who will not use those weapons well. I understand the whys, and I do get self-defense and military realities, but the notion of the state as the authorized taker of lives other than for self-defense is a puzzling question. On a purely sectarian basis, it can make sense. But for committed Jews and Christians, it would seem to be a problem… however, for the most part it isn’t to many. It would seem to be an obvious hypocritical viewpoint, but there is so much self-righteousness in this mix, it’s hard to convince people who actually believe they are true followers of a Judeo-Christian ethos otherwise.

For example, the Biblical proscription, “Thou shalt not kill” (the fifth commandment), doesn’t come with footnotes or explanatory text; it’s pretty straight forward. That the Trump administration has executed more federal inmates during its last year than were executed in the prior 30 years combined is telling. The Department of Justice, knowing that the Biden administration is opposed to the death penalty, scheduled several last-minute executions. “The Justice Department is proceeding with plans for more federal executions in the closing days of President Trump's administration, including [three] scheduled [in the week] before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

“Attorney General William Barr announced the moves, connected with what he called ‘staggeringly brutal murders,’ in a statement late Friday [11/20]… The Justice Department said the directives amounted to a continuation of its policy since last year when it relaunched federal executions after an informal moratorium that had been in place for 17 years.” NPR.com, November 24th. So many so-called “Christians” are passionately in support of this decision.

You don’t need a moral or religious justification to oppose death sentences. You can object to the death penalty simply on the basis of cost. An Oklahoma study, reflecting the same basic result in every other such analysis, compared the government’s cost of a life sentence vs one that imposes a sentence of death. “This study found that on average, more time, effort, and costs are used for Oklahoma cases in which the death penalty is sought. In fact, the average across several states is 700 thousand dollars more on death penalty cases. So basically, when it comes to costs of death penalty vs life in prison, it is less expensive to keep someone in prison for life. Most of this money comes into play pretrial when the prisoners spend more time in a local or state lock-up awaiting trial which then costs both sides more to present. Then money is spent in excess on appeals when compared to a non-capital case. So, while it may be less costly to imprison them after the sentence, it is much more costly to handle a death penalty case up front. It seems to be simple fact that seeking the death penalty is more expensive.” InmatesPlus.com, June 2, 2019. Most state studies actually found a higher cost differential. But the morality of condemning another human being, regardless of the heinousness of the crime, is troubling. Especially given how many innocent have been wrongfully executed over the years.

Not that the Donald Trump has done so well with several other commandments, particularly the sixth (regarding adultery) and the eighth (false witness). Evangelicals who support Trump explain such egregious sinning away with the example of Cyrus the Great (Persian king, circa 600 BC), who helped the Jews escape the Babylonian captivity. There are very few commandments that Cyrus did not violate, multiple times, but since he helped an oppressed people, the Bible treats him fairly well.

The Old Testament/Torah is a harsh book, what I call the “eye for an eye” perspective, while the New Testament is a more gentle book preaching tolerance, love, forgiveness, charity and refraining from sitting in judgment of fellow humans. But as I read what evangelical supporters of Donald Trump stand for, how they egg him on, some with guns and cries to “lock her up” or totally supporting kicking DACA kids out of the only country they’ve ever known or simply to separate young children from their undocumented parents when detained, I wonder if perhaps a refresher course on Christian values might not be in order. Oh, there are lots of really pious Jews and Christians out there who find such Trump mandates abhorrent, and his constant lying reprehensible, but that anyone who truly believes in the Bible can still support such inhumanity simply shocks me.

Trump’s refusal to accept rather clear election results – he lost the popular vote by over seven million ballots and fell short by a whopping 74 electoral votes – is deeply destructive of our democratic system, one that might have serious long-term negative results. He’s willing to fight for a crude grab for permanent power, but he doesn’t give a pandemic – now that COVID is the number one killer in the United States – a second glance. “Me” vs the good of the nation?

“Even after he exits the White House, President Donald Trump's efforts to challenge the legitimacy of the election and seeking to overturn the will of voters could have staying power… Trump's tactics are already inspiring other candidates and have been embraced by a wide array of Republicans. Supporters include congressional candidates, state lawmakers, party chairs, conservative legal groups and appointees to previously little-known state vote-certification boards. The breadth of support for Trump's effort could be a troubling sign for future elections.” Associated Press, December 6th. Honesty apparently is no longer a Christian value for too many voters. Hypocrisy is quite acceptable thank you. And that “camel” and the “eye of the needle” thang, why that must be socialism.

I’m Peter Dekom, and while there is forgiveness in the Bible, I think it is important to remind those who profess a commitment to Judaism or Christianity that the Ten Commandments are not a menu.