srav, check out some of the other churches. You'll be surprised at how many congregations are against state-sponsored killing:
Therefore, the General Board of the American Baptist Churches recommends the abolition of capital punishment...
We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person's life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.
The most recent statement was made in 1985 by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), reaffirming these positions and declaring "it's continuing opposition to capital punishment."
Alice - I appreciate the American Baptists a great lot & don't mean to take away from them, but they are the PCUSA to Presbyterianisms "PCA" - a relatively liberal, very small minority, generally disavowed by the "real" church. The Southern Baptist statement represents the "real" Baptist Church. I'll take the American Baptists over them any day of the week.
You're right, smijer, but I did want to give credit where credit is due. Not all Christians embrace the policies championed by the likes of Iran, China, Pakistan, Sudan and Iraq, and I just wanted to call attention to the enlightened few. ;-D
5 comments:
OH WOW - I love this found by following the church link!
Well. Yet another reason to remain a loyal Episcopagan.
I note that the LCMS (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) that I grew up in thinks that capital punishment is biblical.
Funny thing, I don't think that they think that slavery is, chapters and verses to the contrary.
The Episcopal Church - dragging US Christians in to the 21st century one step at a time.
srav, check out some of the other churches. You'll be surprised at how many congregations are against state-sponsored killing:
Therefore, the General Board of the American Baptist Churches recommends the abolition of capital punishment...
We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person's life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.
The most recent statement was made in 1985 by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), reaffirming these positions and declaring "it's continuing opposition to capital punishment."
Alice - I appreciate the American Baptists a great lot & don't mean to take away from them, but they are the PCUSA to Presbyterianisms "PCA" - a relatively liberal, very small minority, generally disavowed by the "real" church. The Southern Baptist statement represents the "real" Baptist Church. I'll take the American Baptists over them any day of the week.
You're right, smijer, but I did want to give credit where credit is due. Not all Christians embrace the policies championed by the likes of Iran, China, Pakistan, Sudan and Iraq, and I just wanted to call attention to the enlightened few. ;-D
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