Stanley "Tookie" Williams

[ChrisnSteph]

This is very true. Stanley can be 100% reformed, but that still doesn't take away the fact that there are still four dead people, murdered by his hand. And there are still kids killing and fighting each other, and murdering innocent people every day to honor being a Crip, or Blood, and who knows when that violence will end. So what if he wrote books. He can't undo what he created. As the old saying goes, he made his bed.....

 

[Jimbo]

I also think the Nobel Peace Prize Committee has lost all credibility. The gave one to Arafat, and one to this gangbanger, I mean what the ???!! I think its time for them to retire!

Actually, he was only nominated for the prize. Nearly anyone can nominate someone for the Nobel prize, and some college professors, plus a Swiss guy (I think) did just that.

 

[toto2]

In this particular verse, the Hebrew word translated "kill" would be better translated as "murder." I believe the Bible draws a clear distinction (when one considers the context of the whole Bible) between the premeditated killing of an innocent human and the state's lawful execution of someone who committed the crime of murder. The two are not interchangable.

But again ( And I agree it is important to know the real meaning of the words) , but most ( a generalisation) christian think that the bible is the word og God , and that it's translation are god inspired, so God wanted the word Kill instead of murder. It is not a christan's job to interpret, or say that in such intent , God meant kill , and on this one he meant murder. So far , everywhere the ten commendmant is shown , iy says " you shall not kill". A lot of things in the Bible ( some of the verses about homosexuality" have been proven by science to have been badly translated but are used by the religious right, because , translation is god inspired. It then should be considred by them the samr about" you shall not kill"

 

[Cindyluwho]

The punishment should fit the crime. Most crimes are appropriately punished by the loss of one's freedom and privileges for a set amount of time. Some crimes, such as Williams', are appropriately punished by the death penalty. JMO.

I do agree with most of your post but I wouldn't say that "most crimes" are appropriately punished. There just doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to life in prison or the death sentence. Tookie Williams committed some vicious murders, he admitted it during the trial - but did he deserve to die? I personally think so. But what I can't rationalize is how can they put Williams to death and all the Green River Killer gets is life in prison? Or for that matter, how can the Green River Killer get the same sentence as the Menendez Brothers? It's all so across the board, there doesn't seem to be enough consistency for me. I don't have an answer but I think our justice system is badly broken.

 

[POB14]

Christ told the thief on the cross: "You will be in paradise with me tonight." He did not say, "Okay, if you believe, I'll let you down off that cross."

That just might be the most intelligent thing I've ever read on the internet.

 

[toto2]

In 2004, 97 per cent of all known executions took place in China, Iran, Viet Nam and the USA., this from Amnesty web site:

The USA is certainly in good company : communism and the axe of evil !

 

[Cindyluwho]

If only they would start using the death penalty against people who rape and molest children. They are just as evil as those who murder.
.

Where do I get in line to be the executioner for one of those!?!

Sorry if that sounds too light hearted but wouldn't I love to see some of those molesters squirm!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

But again ( And I agree it is important to know the real meaning of the words) , but most ( a generalisation) christian think that the bible is the word og God , and that it's translation are god inspired, so God wanted the word Kill instead of murder. It is not a christan's job to interpret, or say that in such intent , God meant kill , and on this one he meant murder. So far , everywhere the ten commendmant is shown , iy says " you shall not kill". A lot of things in the Bible ( some of the verses about homosexuality" have been proven by science to have been badly translated but are used by the religious right, because , translation is god inspired. It then should be considred by them the samr about" you shall not kill"

You are making a lot of "generalizations" that are not necessarily founded in fact.

Most Christians do believe the Bible is inspired by God, but that applies to the original text, not to translations. Many Christians believe that God has managed through the centuries to maintain the basic integrity of the Scriptures through numerous translations.

There is an entire branch of Christian study called hermeneutics that provides theories and methods of interpreting the Bible. Most evangelical Christians do believe it is their job to not only study but also to interpret the Bible. Many of these people will spend time researching the original language used to determine what the author originally intended to say, not simply accepting at face value what someone translated the word as -- such as with the case of "kill" in "Thou shall not kill."

I do not believe that a translation of the Bible is inspired by God. That's why I often will refer back to the original Hebrew or Greek word to find what was originally written and what that word truly means.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[#1MMFan]

It's all down to interpretation isn't it, plus a well measured sprinkling of "what one wants it to be". Aren't there a lot of blood-thirsty people out there. You believe in a loving, caring, giving, forgiving God, but at the same time choose also to believe that he wants people executed. I also seem to remember that the type of sin that you committed was inconsequential in God's eyes - sin is sin. So that a murderer is any more sinful than you or I is wrong, and is frankly rather self-righteous; therefore, why not execute each one of us? The fact is, people want blood for their own satisfaction ultimately, because they alone believe it is just, and let's face it, they don't want to let God decide when a person's life ends and their judgment takes place.

 

[Zmsksirt]

It's all down to interpretation isn't it, plus a well measured sprinkling of "what one wants it to be". Aren't there a lot of blood-thirsty people out there. You believe in a loving, caring, giving, forgiving God, but at the same time choose also to believe that he wants people executed. I also seem to remember that the type of sin that you committed was inconsequential in God's eyes - sin is sin. So that a murderer is any more sinful than you or I is wrong, and is frankly rather self-righteous; therefore, why not execute each one of us? The fact is, people want blood for their own satisfaction ultimately, because they alone believe it is just, and let's face it, they don't want to let God decide when a person's life ends and their judgment takes place.

Yes, I just figure that Tookie got caught and I didn't. So, every night I ask God to forgive me for all my many sins. Then, I go out the next day and sin again, then ask God to forgive me, etc. So, I figure that I've got my bases covered.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Oh yeah I want a murderer as a role model for my children!

So he wrote a few books and maybe saved a few kids from entering gangs...big whoop! What about all those that have been in gangs since way back when thanks to him and all the crimes they have committed and continue to commit?

I know, now that he has been executed let's see if we can get sainthood for him, because he is now such a good person.

Oh my! You DID know I was being very sarcastic didn't you?!

 

[Nancy]

Oh my! You DID know I was being very sarcastic didn't you?!

Yes! I knew you were being sarcastic! I was just going with the flow...sorry if you thought I meant it otherwise. I was kinda playing off your statement; hence the quote.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Ok I was worried. Your reply sounded like you thought I was bananas.