I cannot say whether Troy Davis was innocent or not. I have no wish to make little of the murder of police officer, Mark MacPhail. I know that his family has suffered grievously. My heart goes out to them. However there are grounds to suspect that this conviction was unsafe. Hundreds of thousands of people have signed petitions on Davis' behalf.
Davis' supporters include former President Jimmy Carter, Pope Benedict XVI, a former FBI director, the NAACP, several conservative figures and many celebrities, including hip-hop star Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. The support has bridged the political divide. This is not easily achieved in the US at any time.
It is also important to consider the fact that if Davis is innocent the real murderer is at liberty today and free to kill others. Davis’ plea to the MacPhail family minutes before he died sends a chill right through me every time I read it. “I did not personally kill your son, father, brother. All I can ask is that you look deeper into this case so you really can finally see the truth.”
Capital punishment is legalised barbarism. It satisfies a blood lust. The Fifth Commandment states that "thou shall not kill". All life is sacred. It is not for the state to play God. Innocent people mainly from the black community have been executed in the US. Once an innocent person is executed, the wrong cannot be undone. It is much better to err on the safe side and abolish the death penalty. 138 inmates sentenced to death in the USA have been exonerated since 1973 (At end of 2010)
Even if an individual commits murder, a death sentence will not bring back the murdered person. It is much better to sentence the murderer to life in prison. Two wrongs will not a right make. For Christians it cannot be a case of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Christians must forgive if they wish to enter heaven.
Finally it is important to remember that some politicians have used and continue the death penalty as a vehicle for self- advancement. They are despicable individuals with no conscience.
Their claims to be Christian ring hollow.
All life is sacred. It is Gods gift. It is time for all Christians to stand up for life in all circumstances
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