Capital Punishment - Page 3

Faithfulservant · 04-23-2005, 10:24 AM

Feeling compassion for someone isnt the same as pity. Being concerned about someone isnt the same as being judgemental. I know enough about you to know that you hurt yourself.. that speaks volumes.

Sorry for hijacking this thread.

Geist · 04-23-2005, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faithfulservant

Feeling compassion for someone isnt the same as pity. Being concerned about someone isnt the same as being judgemental. I know enough about you to know that you hurt yourself.. that speaks volumes.

Sorry for hijacking this thread.

You said and I quote:
How sad.. No wonder your so depressed.

Its basicly the same thing. You judged me by assuming I am depressed I never in any of my posts said I was depressed. And I believe I posted telling people that I cut myself thats probably common knowladge.

Faithfulservant · 04-23-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geist

Wheres God when your begging for your life at the end?

Hes not there to help you until its too late and you've died or maybe not even then!

Relgion is a form of control used to keep things the way the poitcians and other higher powered people use to control the masses.

Yes I found this sad... and I also hold to my opinion that you're depressed. Still its not a judgement...

Geist · 04-24-2005, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faithfulservant

Yes I found this sad... and I also hold to my opinion that you're depressed. Still its not a judgement...

But you are because your assuming I'm depressed. And don't find it sad a good thing comes from every situation no matter how small this good thing is its still good.

Awaiting_the_fifth · 04-27-2005, 01:59 PM

Meanwhile, back on topic......

I do not agree with capital punishment, or any kind of retribution. I believe in the law of Karma which tells me (I dont know what it tells you) that it is wrong for you to kill, and if you do so, you will suffer in future lives. If you kill a friend of mine and I kill you out of retribution then I have killed and I too will suffer in future lives. If, as a result of my bad karma I am reborn into a miserable life where I am persecuted, I may become angry and strike back at my persecutors, killing them. Their friends will then kill me and they too will suffer in future lives. They will all be born into similarly persecuted lives and in response they will kill, and in response to this others will kill them and still more people will suffer in future lives.

This is the reality that I see in which suffering only results in more suffering. The only way to end the suffering is to forgive those who hurt you and not strike back. End the spiral of suffering.

I encourage everyone to forgive someone today, and make this reality a little bit more bearable for everyone.

path_of_one · 04-27-2005, 04:39 PM

Yes. I find it interesting that whether it is based on a belief in karma, or in Jesus' teachings, the result can be the same. Forgive, and you will be forgiven...

Vajradhara · 04-27-2005, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by path_of_one

Yes. I find it interesting that whether it is based on a belief in karma, or in Jesus' teachings, the result can be the same. Forgive, and you will be forgiven...

not just that...

forgive and forgiveness have the potential to change our world for the better... to a more peaceful time of existence for all sentient beings.

i think that it is hard to estimate the impact of forgiveness upon individuals, groups and socities.

lunamoth · 04-27-2005, 06:40 PM

I admit that I have not read this whole thread, just the few last posts, which I have to agree are "right on." Forgiveness is key to transformation of individuals, societies, the world for the better and for obtaining peace.

Justice, well justice is hard and skimming through the posts here I see that at least a few others agree. Not to say that we shouldn't fight against social injustice and oppression where we find it but as others have pointed out one person's justice is another's oppression in many cases. But not always. As long as we are all less than perfect, forgiveness is the more righteous policy. I guess that's why Gandhi found that justice could really only be achieved by non-violent means.

lunamoth

Geist · 04-27-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awaiting_the_fifth

I believe in the law of Karma which tells me (I dont know what it tells you) that it is wrong for you to kill, and if you do so, you will suffer in future lives. If you kill a friend of mine and I kill you out of retribution then I have killed and I too will suffer in future lives. If, as a result of my bad karma I am reborn into a miserable life where I am persecuted, I may become angry and strike back at my persecutors, killing them. Their friends will then kill me and they too will suffer in future lives. They will all be born into similarly persecuted lives and in response they will kill, and in response to this others will kill them and still more people will suffer in future lives.

life is suffering..It might not be for you but for me and many other people it is! And unfortunatly many people don't believe in justice unless there is retribution because people feed off pain and others suffering and don't deny it because its true whether you see it on there faces is a diffreant matter.

Awaiting_the_fifth · 05-03-2005, 09:12 PM

Goodness Geist, you certainly do have a dismal outlook on life, still I cant disagree.

Geist · 05-06-2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awaiting_the_fifth

Goodness Geist, you certainly do have a dismal outlook on life, still I cant disagree.

I'm pesamistic yes but its the only way to survive.

Awaiting_the_fifth · 05-15-2005, 11:23 PM

On the other hand, it is my belief that (as you say) life is suffering which leads me to the quest for liberation, the end of suffering, and a part of that quest is compassion and forgiveness, i.e no to capital punishment.

PersonaNonGrata · 05-16-2005, 12:22 AM

if you look at life there are things that you can and things you can NOT
there you smile

I, Brian · 05-16-2005, 09:26 AM

If capital punishment is not acceptable, then how should people who commit the most horrific crimes, show no remorse, and have every intention of doing so again, be treated? Is the financial cost of keeping someone prisoner for decades simply because no one knows what else to do with them really benefiting society? And what of the fact that most prisoners have some chance of release at some point, where they may reoffend again?

Just to stir the mix...

Awaiting_the_fifth · 05-16-2005, 10:50 AM

Incarceration does seem to be the only option, for life if need be.

I think all religions at leasty imply that we should give bad people the opportunity to change their ways. That's what turning the other cheek is about isnt it?

Plus, all religions have a built in justice system anyway (Heaven/Hell or Karma) so as long as we can stop these individuals from killing again we have no real need to punish them further.