Punishment and sin

[JonC]

As for criminal justice, the biblical principle is basically the inverse of the Golden Rule. It is done to the criminal as he did (or sought to do) to his victim. The punishments dealing with religious crimes are a different issue and were both in place and punished for various, often symbolic, reasons that are not directly related to morality and had to do only with the nation of Israel within their peculiar relationship with God.

In criminal justice most of our system doesn't deal with morality either.

One article I read was dealing with punishment in different ways.

With utilitarianism the example was given of a law enforcement framing an innocent man and executing him. In terms of utilitarianism this would be just (as long as the people believe the man was guilty then it would serve to prevent further crime).

With moral punishment the example was given of three people knowing for a fact a man committed a heinous crime. If morality were the only component those three should lynch the man without wasting time for a trial (where he could be found innocent).

But the conclusion was that "justice" (secularly) is an amalgamation of these elements.

It is interesting to consider.

 

[CJP69]

In criminal justice most of our system doesn't deal with morality either.

Our criminal justice system is a joke. We've forgotten what justice looks like so long ago that to advocate for actual justice is to make people think you're some sort of barbarian. It is so bad, in fact, that what we have is not a justice system, its just a system.

One article I read was dealing with punishment in different ways.

With utilitarianism the example was given of a law enforcement framing an innocent man and executing him. In terms of utilitarianism this would be just (as long as the people believe the man was guilty then it would serve to prevent further crime).

Yikes! That would end up as a disaster. As soon as the governing officials understand that they can kill people "for the greater good" then you're 90% of the way toward rebuilding Auschwitz.

Ezekiel 13:19 And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?”​

With moral punishment the example was given of three people knowing for a fact a man committed a heinous crime. If morality were the only component those three should lynch the man without wasting time for a trial (where he could be found innocent).

The is just the flip side of the same coin. As soon as the population figured out that vigilantism was acceptable, all of a sudden anyone could be a target because who could know it when the vigilantly group did or did not kill an innocent person when there was no evidence presented to an impartial judge in a public court?

But the conclusion was that "justice" (secularly) is an amalgamation of these elements.

It is interesting to consider.

The bible gives us a complete criminal justice system and it is the only one directly endorsed by the God who is Justice itself. It is comprised of a system of judges who determine innocents or guilt based on reasonable evidence rather than reasonable doubt and who are themselves held responsible for the verdicts handed down in their court.

 

[JonC]

Our criminal justice system is a joke. We've forgotten what justice looks like so long ago that to advocate for actual justice is to make people think you're some sort of barbarian. It is so bad, in fact, that what we have is not a justice system, its just a system.


Yikes! That would end up as a disaster. As soon as the governing officials understand that they can kill people "for the greater good" then you're 90% of the way toward rebuilding Auschwitz.

Ezekiel 13:19 And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?”​

The is just the flip side of the same coin. As soon as the population figured out that vigilantism was acceptable, all of a sudden anyone could be a target because who could know it when the vigilantly group did or did not kill an innocent person when there was no evidence presented to an impartial judge in a public court?


The bible gives us a complete criminal justice system and it is the only one directly endorsed by the God who is Justice itself. It is comprised of a system of judges who determine innocents or guilt based on reasonable evidence rather than reasonable doubt and who are themselves held responsible for the verdicts handed down in their court.

It's an interesting topic. Just reading various papers on several topics.

I've been off work for the past 6 weeks (knee surgery) so I've been a bit bored. But I get to go back to work tomorrow.

 

[CJP69]

It's an interesting topic. Just reading various papers on several topics.

I've been off work for the past 6 weeks (knee surgery) so I've been a bit bored. But I get to go back to work tomorrow.

An acquaintance of mine had a knee replaced. She couldn't work or drive for weeks and then as soon as that knee healed up well enough she had the other one replaced and did it all again!