One of the weakest arguments against the death penalty, one that has annoyed me over the years has been the Pope’s implying God’s opposition to it. It’s an argument that to me doesn’t hold water if you consider Acts Chapter 5 which is all about how Ananias, literally dies at the word of St. Peter for lying about the price he got for a piece of land.
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard of it.
Acts 5 3-5
And when his wife, not knowing he’s dead repeats the lie…
Peter said to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this amount?” She answered, “Yes, for that amount.” Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen, the footsteps of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” At once, she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men entered they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Acts 5:7-11
Now remember these are people who believed in Christ, were part of the new Christian community even before they were called Christians and had just sold some land and given a portion of the money to the disciples. Their crime had been to lie about the amount and keeping it to themselves and yet there is no hesitation at all in what happens, no appeal no chance to go to confession or repent. Nope they’re dead (Now the question as to if they are damned is a completely different one and an interesting theological question but I digress).
C. S. Lewis has his own opinions on the subject:
Thus the weakness of the theological argument argument against the death penalty, but however there is a better one that we’ve seen lately.
That argument comes from this story out of Canada:
And this one out of DC:
And then I ask myself: Would I trust the people who are making these decision with the power of life and death over folks regardless of the charge or the evidence? That’s when I remember this excellent maxium:
Never trust government with a power that you would not trust your worst enemy with.
If there is a better argument against the death penalty, I don’t know it.
