To Kill or not to Kill

Capital Punishment is one of those issues that can find many passionate opinions on both sides.  And the reality is that most of us cannot understand the depth of passion that some family members feel.  Recently in Iowa there was a murder and robbery in Algona and Humbolt that brought out many strong feelings of retribution and empathy.

Considering these crimes committed allegedly by Michael Swanson I am sure there are many opinions surfacing about what is justice.  On KCCI’s page you will find the facts and reactions of community and other readers.  This is obviously a boy who made a poor choice that will affect many people.  One victim left 10 children.  Families and communities will struggle to answer the questions; why, and what now?  And although he is only 17 there is already consideration of trying him as an adult, and in some comments I have seen people promote the death penalty.

In Iowa we no longer allow the death penalty.  This web page contains some basic facts about the death penalty in the US. As of 2009 there were somewhere over 3,000 people on death row in the in United States.

As thinking Christians we are faced (as the rest of society) with horrible acts that affect whole communities.  How are we supposed to respond to violent acts like this?  How do we balance the words of scripture and interpret God’s Justice and Mercy?  I hope you will follow the link and vote your opinion on Capital Punishment.