JCM: Sen. Manny Pacquaio misrepresents God as pro-death penalty

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Sen. Manny Pacquaio misrepresents God as pro-death penalty

Pacquiao's first privilege speech says: God is for death penalty. He articulates by saying, "In Genesis 9:6 'Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God, has God made mankind."

Likewise, he mentioned Exodus 21:12 saying the Holy Bible says: Whoever hurts a person who died would also be killed.

The passages mentioned by Paquiao fall under Mosaic law than God's teachings.

FALSE: GOD IS NEVER A PRO-DEATH PENALTY GOD.

No matter how monstrous the crime, if society can defend itself without terminating a human life, it should do so.

John 8:3-11"Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" They said this to test Him, so that they could have some charge to bring against Him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking Him he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

While the Old Testament contains "some passages" about taking the life of one who murders, the Old Testament and Jesus’ teaching in the New Testament call everybody to protect life, practice mercy, and reject retribution.

The Old Testament law ordered the death penalty for several acts: murder (Exodus 21:12), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), bestiality (Exodus 22:19), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), being a false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:5), prostitution and rape (Deuteronomy 22:24)), and different other crimes. Nevertheless, God over and over again revealed mercy when the death penalty was due. For example, when David committed adultery and murder, God did not demand his life be taken (2 Samuel 11:1-5; 14-17; 2 Samuel 12:13.

When Cain killed Abel, God did not terminate Cain's life but sent Cain into exile, not only sparing his life but protecting it by putting a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight. (Genesis 4:15)

Every sin that human commit should result in the death penalty because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but mercifully, God shows His love for everybody by not condemning anyone (Romans 5:8).

The state has the choice to enforce the death penalty if this ultimate punishment is the only available means to protect society from a severe danger to human life. Nevertheless, this right should not be implemented when other methods are accessible to punish criminals and to protect society that are more respectful of human life.