Decalogue 5

Kieslowski continues his trend of making incredibly challenging and well done films with the fifth Decalogue film based on the command “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” For this blog I too want to continue the class discussion about the death penalty, which was very lively and interesting.

I basically want to respond to Caroline’s remarks and challenge the notion that it is the “Christian” view to be in favor of the death penalty. I really am not sure why this popular view came about. Yes, in the Old Testament it was clear that if a man took the life of another he would forfeit his life in return. But Jesus turned that upside down!

I’ve read that many of the early Christians refused to serve in the military or even hold public offices. They had a radical view of the life they were called to live as followers of Christ, and it included turning the other cheek towards their enemies and allowing God to take vengeance.

I must admit, however, that I used to be one of the followers of Christ who thought the death penalty was in accordance with God’s will. What changed my mind was a book I read by Shane Claiborne that takes a pretty “liberal” view on a lot of social issues. I’m not sure I would ever consider myself a pacifist like this author, but he presents a compelling argument against the death penalty: the death penalty, he says, teaches that some are beyond redemption. Christ came to proclaim mercy and grace, and when our government decides to kill someone, they are in essence saying that that person can never and will never change. Jesus taught his followers to repay evil with good, and to forgive our enemies. He taught that grace was limitless, and that while alive we are never past the point of redemption. The death penalty teaches the opposite of this.

Something to think about.

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