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Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment. Fyodor M. Dostoevsky . Thinking About Justice. Human law and God’s Law The effects of sin The effects of forgiveness. The Death Penalty. Pro Death Penalty. Those on Death Row are Human Beings only in a Biological Sense

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Crime and Punishment

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  1. Crime and Punishment Fyodor M. Dostoevsky

  2. Thinking About Justice Human law and God’s Law The effects of sin The effects of forgiveness

  3. The Death Penalty

  4. Pro Death Penalty • Those on Death Row are Human Beings only in a Biological Sense • Certain crimes are so violent that offenders forfeit their human rights, including the right to life. • The only way to restore justice for some crimes is to make the offender experience the same level of harm that he or she caused.

  5. Pro Death Penalty • Retributive Justice • Eye-For-an-Eye • Knee-Jerk Reaction to Horrifying, Violent Crimes

  6. Break Time • Stats • Since 1976 • 1,320 people executed (AI-Dec 2012) • Executions Per Year (greatest to smallest) • The South • The Midwest • The West • The Northeast • In 2010 – 3,261 on Death Row (BJS)

  7. Break Time • Innocence • Since 1973, 130 people have been released due to wrongful convictions. • Ill Gov. George Ryan • 2000 – Declared a moratorium against executions after 13 death row inmate were released while 12 were executed. • 2003 – Commuted the remaining 167 death sentences to life in prison after pardoning 4 more death row inmates.

  8. Catholic Response • Death penalty is permissible “if it is the only way of defending human lives against the unjust aggressor,” but in modern society these instances “are very rare, if not practically non-existent.” (CCC 2267)

  9. Catholic Response • Consistent Ethic of Life • The dignity of human life is not based on what we do or don’t do, what we deserve or don’t deserve. It is based on the fact that we are “ALL” created in God’s own image and likeness. • The antidote to violence is love, not more violence.

  10. Catholic Response • Restorative Justice • Focus on the harm of wrongdoing more than rules. • Involve both victims and offenders. • Meet the needs of the victims. • Support offenders to understand and accept their obligations. • Obligations are not intended as harms. • Provide opportunities of dialogue between victims and offenders. • Involve the entire community in the process of healing.

  11. Catholic Response • Don’t Forget (consider it in this order) • God alone forgives. • Revenge has no place in a Christian’s life. • Capital punishment is a hard question that is a matter of conscience.

  12. God of Compassion,You let your rain fall on the just and the unjust.Expand and deepen our heartsso that we may love as You loveeven those among uswho have caused the greatest pain by taking life.For there is in our land a great cry for vengeanceas we fill up death rows and kill the killersin the name of justice, in the name of peace.Jesus, our brother,you suffered execution at the hands of the statebut you did not let hatred overcome you.Help us to reach out to victims of violenceso that our enduring love may help them heal.Holy Spirit of God,You strengthen us in the struggle for justice.Help us to work tirelesslyfor the abolition of state-sanctioned deathand to renew our society in its very heartso that violence will be no more.Amen.

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