Death Penalty

[Avidan]

This is the 'New Covenant' experience, the laws of God written in the Heart of the Believer. With the reception of the Holy Spirit he has the 'love of God shed abroad in his heart'. The 'New Creation' loves God with ALL his heart, mind, soul and strength and his neighbor as he used to love himself. God comes first and then his neighbor. Self is lost sight of and the foolish things of selfish childhood are put away in the light of His Glory and Grace.

Heb 8:10 For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put MY LAWS into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written (in the Old Testament), Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Deut 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by EVERY word that proceedsout of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Here are they who have the 'Laws of God' written in their hearts, the 'church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing', She has purified herself and made herself ready for the 'marriage super of the lamb' and has been sealed and arrayed as a bride for her 'bridegroom'.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience (endurance) of the saints (holy ones): here are they that keep the commandments of God (every word of the Word, Jesus, who gave every word of the Scriptures), and the faith of Jesus.

The BEATITUDES are the main part of HIS LAW,

next to LOVING our GOD and our neighbor

because HE SAYS to.

POOR IN SPIRIT

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. Matt. 5:3

The Psalmist writes:

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18; cf Ps. 51:17)

and from Proverbs:

There is that maketh himself rich that hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. (Prov 13:7 cf 19:1, 22:2-3, 28:6)

=-=-=

BEAUTY FOR ASHES

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matt. 5:4)

Compare these verse from the prophet Isaiah: ... to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in ZION, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; ... (Isa. 61:2-3)

And from Jeremiah: I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them (Jer 31:13)

=-=-=

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

BLESSED are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matt. 5:5)

That Beatitude is a quotation of Psalm 37: But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Ps. 37:11)

Indeed, an earlier verse in the same psalm says: For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the Lord. they shall inherit the earth. (vs 9)

Isaiah prophesies YHSHWH doing exactly what He did in that very word:

The SPIRIT of the LORD GOD is upon me]]ME; because the LORD hath ANNOINTED ME to preach good tidings unto the meek; (Isa. 61:1

=-=-=

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matt. 5:6

This verse is a great comfort too, when all about seems unrighteous. That those of us who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled has been a constant theme of scripture:

The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: (Prov 10:3);

the desire of the righteous shall be granted (Prov 10:24);

in the way of righteousness is life (Prov 12:28).

And:

Ho, every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters (Isa 55:1)

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: (Isa. 65:13) ).

=-=-=

MERCY

BLESSED are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matt. 5:7)

Compare with:

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak (Psalm 6:2)

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Pro. 14:21

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard (Prov 21:13)

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6; cf Micah 6:8)

=-=-=

PURE IN HEART

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matt. 5:8)

See the Psalms: Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (Ps. 15:1-2)

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart. (Psalm 24:3-4a)

=-=-=

CHILDREN OF GOD

BLESSED are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD. (Matt. 5:9)

Again, peace is not a New Testament invention:

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it (Deut 20:10).

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (Ps. 34:14)

For he will speak peace unto His people (Psalm 85:8).

The way of peace they know not, and no judgment in their goings; they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

(Isa 59:8)

=-=-=

PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

BLESSED are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matt. 5:10-12)

But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people (2 Chr 36:16)

O LORD my God, in thee do I trust, save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. (Ps. 7:1)

May GOD YHSHWH give us of HIS GRACE and HIS HOLY SPIRIT to follow all the Beatitudes in our lives, but especially give us the courage to be prepared to be persecuted for righteousness' sake. In these days, those who stand against the values of the world will face affliction more and more.

Edited December 3, 2005 by Avidan

[heavenlyfavoured]

Hi,

Good morning to you all. I can see you all still argueing about all this.

By their fruits you shall know them.

[heavenlyfavoured]

Is my being new here change the fact that i might b making sence?

No, you are not making sense - in both argument and your typing style.

This isn't Chat - please[/] type normally. The "i" "2" "4" "b" and such are to read.

As for your arguments -

I am still waiting for an answer as to how life in prison is sufficient justice for cold-blooded murder.

And why should the government cancel the debt of a man who has not repented of his crime?

Hi,

Sorry about the tying error, I'll definately correct that, Thank you!

Well since am not making sence to you; I'll answer for the sake of someone who seems to get the point. Offcourse we all are sinners redeemed by his blood, we were all guilty of sin, but God gave His Son to die for us on the cross so that we might be saved and not die both physically and spiritually. So the same way he gave you the chance to get saved not by your power or might but by His spirit, why not let this man get life imprisonement, he might repent and get born again while he is in there. I dont know when you gave your life to Christ and got born again, but am I glad for you that God gave you the chance to repent because if it was not for Christ dying for your sins you would go straight to hell.

As for your second question, WE are not the goverment, WE are born again christians here, we are talking about us forgiving the man like Christ asked us to. The goverment is not born again, they are non-believers thats why we dont blame them for their decision, the difference between what the world does and what we Christians do and feel should be very different.

Then if everyone here thinks and does like the world, then are we really born again? or just claiming to be Christians.

[heavenlyfavoured]

Hi,

I honestly have no more to add to this topic. I still stand for forgiveness of this man anytime or day! Am not going to argue just to see who wins or who can answer better or qoute the verses. All I care is for another brother be given the chance like we had to repent. Am glad God shall not judge like man because then some of us would never know the joy of Salvation. If God judged like we do, none of us would go to heaven.

This man is a plain murderer so the law says he should be murdered but then what would we be called then, won't we also be murderers. OK, he is a murderer by killing innocent people, but we then are murderers by killing a guilty man. In the end of the day we are all murderers. I stone someone to death today, then tomorrow you stone me to death as purninshment, at the end of it you are just as much a murderer as I was.

What surprised me is the way we here in this forum respond, we feel, think and do like the world. I thought we are suppose to stand out! you know! We are the light of the world, what separated the disciples of Christ from the disciples of the Pharasees and Saducees was the compassion.

The whole point of this topic was to see how we respond to other peoples mistakes. Its obvious we are very quick to condemn others and think we have less sins or less guilty than murderers but hallo we aint.

God bless!!!

[Avidan]

Is my being new here change the fact that i might b making sence?

No, you are not making sense - in both argument and your typing style.

This isn't Chat - please[/] type normally. The "i" "2" "4" "b" and such are to read.

As for your arguments -

I am still waiting for an answer as to how life in prison is sufficient justice for cold-blooded murder.

And why should the government cancel the debt of a man who has not repented of his crime?

Hi,

Sorry about the tying error, I'll definately correct that, Thank you!

Well since am not making sence to you; I'll answer for the sake of someone who seems to get the point. Offcourse we all are sinners redeemed by his blood, we were all guilty of sin, but God gave His Son to die for us on the cross so that we might be saved and not die both physically and spiritually. So the same way he gave you the chance to get saved not by your power or might but by His spirit, why not let this man get life imprisonement, he might repent and get born again while he is in there. I dont know when you gave your life to Christ and got born again, but am I glad for you that God gave you the chance to repent because if it was not for Christ dying for your sins you would go straight to hell.

As for your second question, WE are not the goverment, WE are born again christians here, we are talking about us forgiving the man like Christ asked us to. The goverment is not born again, they are non-believers thats why we dont blame them for their decision, the difference between what the world does and what we Christians do and feel should be very different.

Then if everyone here thinks and does like the world, then are we really born again? or just claiming to be Christians.

Amen heavenlyfavoured. Spoken like a "true" Christian. Others could learn from you.

[Avidan]

Avidan, I ask that you calm down and look at this in an intellectual manner. We need to remove all emotion because emotion only interferes with truth. It is only when we achieve the basic measure of truth that we can begin to allow emotion to flow back in. Emotions would dictate that hell is a horrible thing and not allowed by God...however our intellect shows us that not only is this plausible, but it is true. Likewise emotions would try to tell us that the death penalty is a horrible act, however our intellect preaches a much different message. Thus I ask you to cool down and look at this in a scholarly fashion.

tHEN IS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS WEAK THEOLOGY?

Are you showing love for the victims by denying justice? Are you showing love to God when you deny justice? Are you showing love for society when you deny justice?

As for forgiveness, I do not know how much clearer I can get. Forgiveness does not equate tabula rasa, there are still consquences.

NOTE YOUR SIGNATURE!!:"He who saves a single life, saves the world entire"

Correct, but this is taken from the Talmud and not the Bible. Thus when in conflict with the Bible it falls short.

WHY? Because a offence against life is a offence against God. We act, we forgive.

God ordered us to kill those that murder.

Ok, then you kill. I,ll forgive and obey Jesus.

PS: I do not use my emotions when dealing with my heart. For HE is my heart. The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and

according to the fruit of his doings.

JER 17:9-10

I don't trust my heart.

I will SUBMIT to HIS LAW

which shows me how to LOVE

in HIS LOVE.

HOLY SPIRIT, HOLY LIVING LAW,

LIVES HOLY WRITTEN LAW through me.

I put HIS HOLY WTITTEN LAW in my mind

to have the MIND of the MESSIAH

so that I will know

WHO HOLY SPIRIT IS,

WHAT HOLY SPIRIT IS SAYING,

and

WHERE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOING.

=-=-=

[heavenlyfavoured]

Avidan, I ask that you calm down and look at this in an intellectual manner. We need to remove all emotion because emotion only interferes with truth. It is only when we achieve the basic measure of truth that we can begin to allow emotion to flow back in. Emotions would dictate that hell is a horrible thing and not allowed by God...however our intellect shows us that not only is this plausible, but it is true. Likewise emotions would try to tell us that the death penalty is a horrible act, however our intellect preaches a much different message. Thus I ask you to cool down and look at this in a scholarly fashion.

tHEN IS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS WEAK THEOLOGY?

Are you showing love for the victims by denying justice? Are you showing love to God when you deny justice? Are you showing love for society when you deny justice?

As for forgiveness, I do not know how much clearer I can get. Forgiveness does not equate tabula rasa, there are still consquences.

NOTE YOUR SIGNATURE!!:"He who saves a single life, saves the world entire"

Correct, but this is taken from the Talmud and not the Bible. Thus when in conflict with the Bible it falls short.

WHY? Because a offence against life is a offence against God. We act, we forgive.

God ordered us to kill those that murder.

Ok, then you kill. I,ll forgive and obey Jesus.

PS: I do not use my emotions when dealing with my heart. For HE is my heart. The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and

according to the fruit of his doings.

JER 17:9-10

I don't trust my heart.

I will SUBMIT to HIS LAW

which shows me how to LOVE

in HIS LOVE.

HOLY SPIRIT, HOLY LIVING LAW,

LIVES HOLY WRITTEN LAW through me.

I put HIS HOLY WTITTEN LAW in my mind

to have the MIND of the MESSIAH

so that I will know

WHO HOLY SPIRIT IS,

WHAT HOLY SPIRIT IS SAYING,

and

WHERE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOING.

=-=-=

AMEN!!

[apothanein kerdos]

Is my being new here change the fact that i might b making sence?

No, you are not making sense - in both argument and your typing style.

This isn't Chat - please[/] type normally. The "i" "2" "4" "b" and such are to read.

As for your arguments -

I am still waiting for an answer as to how life in prison is sufficient justice for cold-blooded murder.

And why should the government cancel the debt of a man who has not repented of his crime?

Hi,

Sorry about the tying error, I'll definately correct that, Thank you!

Well since am not making sence to you; I'll answer for the sake of someone who seems to get the point. Offcourse we all are sinners redeemed by his blood, we were all guilty of sin, but God gave His Son to die for us on the cross so that we might be saved and not die both physically and spiritually. So the same way he gave you the chance to get saved not by your power or might but by His spirit, why not let this man get life imprisonement, he might repent and get born again while he is in there. I dont know when you gave your life to Christ and got born again, but am I glad for you that God gave you the chance to repent because if it was not for Christ dying for your sins you would go straight to hell.

As for your second question, WE are not the goverment, WE are born again christians here, we are talking about us forgiving the man like Christ asked us to. The goverment is not born again, they are non-believers thats why we dont blame them for their decision, the difference between what the world does and what we Christians do and feel should be very different.

Then if everyone here thinks and does like the world, then are we really born again? or just claiming to be Christians.

Amen heavenlyfavoured. Spoken like a "true" Christian. Others could learn from you.

This is what i mean by emotional appeals. For one, what she states lacks scriptural support as well as logical analysis as to why forgiveness overrules justice. Likewise she forgets Genesis 9 (as this has gone ignored the entire discussion) which specifically states that if a man kills another man, that man [the killer] is to be put to death. This is Noahide law, the covenant God made with man. It does not pertain to salvation or holy living but basic human morals. To take this further, this is a command given by God. Even if we believe this command no longer applies (which there is no way to logically explain why it doesn't apply) we must be content with the fact that God at one point called for capital punishment. Either we have to accept that capital punishment is a legitimate form of justice that is/was established by God Himself, or that God changes His modes and is schizophrenic when He declares laws. Now, which one would we rather assert?

Yet, instead of looking at it this way, Avidan, you instead accuse all who disagree with such statements as not being "true Christians", which in essence brings our salvation into question and you disallow any fellowship with us as you do not view us as the elect. THe problem with this is that God would not be a "true" Christian under your definition. He sends people to hell, He ordered executions over minor offences (minor in today's standards), He ordered the death of thousands of people, He killed liars in the New Testament, and the list goes on. Often these killings were ordered by God to man. Sometimes it was a law established by God that man had to follow (such as the instance in Genesis 9, which once again, is a covenant made with man and has nothing to do with the Mosaic law). With all this in mind, it would seem that God is not a "true" Christian either...according to you at least.

Ok, then you kill. I,ll forgive and obey Jesus.

Killing and forgiveness are not mutually exclusive. Again, forgiveness means that we harbor no hate towards someone that has committed an offence within society. It does not mean that we forgo justice. Shiloh, Ovedya, Nebula, I, and many others have consistently pointed this out without any counter defintiion to what forgiveness is. God forgives us, but this does not mean we are free of consequence. When one takes the life of another, his life is demanded (once again, a scriptural truth).

I will SUBMIT to HIS LAW

which shows me how to LOVE

in HIS LOVE.

If you pride yourself in following His law, then why do you continue to ignore Genesis 9? Is it because it does not fit into your worldview? Likewise, how is calling for justice via death of a murderer not loving? Does this mean God is not loving as He ordered it and commanded it? Does this mean at one point in time He was not loving?

These are all questions that I and almost everyone else has asked that you have yet to answer. We do not ask this or continue this to try and "win" anything or topple you in a debate. THat is not the intention. The intention is to help you achieve a correct biblical worldview on this issue, because this [Capital Punishment] is something that was commanded by God.

[nebula]

You [Avidan] still have not answered a single one of my questions.

I do not hang out at this board all day.

That's beside the point.

When one engages in debate, one should attempt to answer counter arguments.

By passing them only shows that you have no answer, thus making your own argument weaker.

How is a prison sentence suitable justice for a man who has surrendered himself to evil?

How is salvation justice when we did the same?

You are mixing apples and oranges.

Redemption from sin is "apples." Consequences are "oranges."

Again, I appeal to what happened with King David.

His life was spared only besause he repented, but even still a life was required to pay the price - that of his son. He was given other punishments he had to endure as well.

You can read them here: 2 Samuel 12:1-14 (Begin at vs. 10 for the sentence.)

And please explain why forgiveness = no death penalty and not release from prison.

That makes not sense.

If forgiveness changes consequences, shouldn't it be eliminating all consequences?

The consequence is a life spent behind bars. That is justice. Repaying evil for evil. . . .

[Guest shiloh357]

This is the 'New Covenant' experience, the laws of God written in the Heart of the Believer. With the reception of the Holy Spirit he has the 'love of God shed abroad in his heart'. The 'New Creation' loves God with ALL his heart, mind, soul and strength and his neighbor as he used to love himself. God comes first and then his neighbor. Self is lost sight of and the foolish things of selfish childhood are put away in the light of His Glory and Grace.

Heb 8:10 For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put MY LAWS into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written (in the Old Testament), Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Deut 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by EVERY word that proceedsout of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Here are they who have the 'Laws of God' written in their hearts, the 'church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing', She has purified herself and made herself ready for the 'marriage super of the lamb' and has been sealed and arrayed as a bride for her 'bridegroom'.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience (endurance) of the saints (holy ones): here are they that keep the commandments of God (every word of the Word, Jesus, who gave every word of the Scriptures), and the faith of Jesus.

The BEATITUDES are the main part of HIS LAW,

next to LOVING our GOD and our neighbor

because HE SAYS to.

POOR IN SPIRIT

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. Matt. 5:3

The Psalmist writes:

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18; cf Ps. 51:17)

and from Proverbs:

There is that maketh himself rich that hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. (Prov 13:7 cf 19:1, 22:2-3, 28:6)

=-=-=

BEAUTY FOR ASHES

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matt. 5:4)

Compare these verse from the prophet Isaiah: ... to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in ZION, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; ... (Isa. 61:2-3)

And from Jeremiah: I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them (Jer 31:13)

=-=-=

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

BLESSED are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matt. 5:5)

That Beatitude is a quotation of Psalm 37: But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Ps. 37:11)

Indeed, an earlier verse in the same psalm says: For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the Lord. they shall inherit the earth. (vs 9)

Isaiah prophesies YHSHWH doing exactly what He did in that very word:

The SPIRIT of the LORD GOD is upon me]]ME; because the LORD hath ANNOINTED ME to preach good tidings unto the meek; (Isa. 61:1

=-=-=

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matt. 5:6

This verse is a great comfort too, when all about seems unrighteous. That those of us who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled has been a constant theme of scripture:

The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: (Prov 10:3);

the desire of the righteous shall be granted (Prov 10:24);

in the way of righteousness is life (Prov 12:28).

And:

Ho, every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters (Isa 55:1)

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: (Isa. 65:13) ).

=-=-=

MERCY

BLESSED are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matt. 5:7)

Compare with:

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak (Psalm 6:2)

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Pro. 14:21

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard (Prov 21:13)

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6; cf Micah 6:8)

=-=-=

PURE IN HEART

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matt. 5:8)

See the Psalms: Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (Ps. 15:1-2)

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart. (Psalm 24:3-4a)

=-=-=

CHILDREN OF GOD

BLESSED are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of GOD. (Matt. 5:9)

Again, peace is not a New Testament invention:

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it (Deut 20:10).

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (Ps. 34:14)

For he will speak peace unto His people (Psalm 85:8).

The way of peace they know not, and no judgment in their goings; they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

(Isa 59:8)

=-=-=

PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

BLESSED are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matt. 5:10-12)

But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people (2 Chr 36:16)

O LORD my God, in thee do I trust, save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. (Ps. 7:1)

May GOD YHSHWH give us of HIS GRACE and HIS HOLY SPIRIT to follow all the Beatitudes in our lives, but especially give us the courage to be prepared to be persecuted for righteousness' sake. In these days, those who stand against the values of the world will face affliction more and more.

None of that has anything to do with topic at hand. Anyone can pepper the boards with long chains of Scriptures taken out of context and misapplied. There is nothing here that is at odds with the death penalty.