Biden Commutes The Sentences Of Death Row Inmates...

[@SiriusMined]

I've been victim adjacent. My aunt Ruth was murdered by her husband. I don't think that should matter though, because that's about emotion, and not justice. My initial reason for opposing the death penalty was that here in the USA, it's not equally applied; too much racial bias involved. But also, if we execute the wrong person, there's no rememdy. And enough people have been exhonerated after lengthy prison sentences and even the death penalty to make me not want to take a chance. It's not like life without parole is a picnic.

[@p.strobus7569]

The one and only Issue I have with life without parole is that it isn’t. There is no sentence once applied which cannot be unapplied at a later date. And so the family of the victims get to go through endless trials, people get old and cannot testify, memory fades and evidence is lost. The only thing that remains is the absolute determination of crusader lawyers out to argue about the meaning of the word “is” is. I don’t know a solution to this but it is worth keeping in mind when we argue about how a particular sentence is final.

[@Itharl]

This is 100% my thoughts exactly; in the US, justice is not applied even remotely close to equally, and there are MANY cases where the alleged perpetrator was later found to be innocent. We have no business executing people by those metrics alone, and that's not even getting into the morality of state sanctioned murder. I completely understand the desire for punishment when people do abhorrent things, but I think execution is just a step too far.

[@KailarahAurual]

@@Itharl There's also the issue of how long it takes to carry out an execution after someone's been convicted, and what that does to the person. Waiting for 10-20 years (or more!) to be executed, to be watched like a hawk to make sure you don't do something like take your own life because that would deprive the state the ability to hand out their sentence, living in conditions that are effectively a form of solitary confinement--that's a form of psychological torture that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

[@JamieSommerfeldt]

Remember, the death penalty has never been about justice, but about revenge.

[@SimWolfe]

My cousin was beat to death. I was hurt and angry as hell. I didnt want the guy dead. I wanted justice and his freedom and potential taken away as he took my cousins. Not his life. People also seem to think prison is a country club for the average or poor people. Its not.

[@jerikaylesneski]

That’s being Pro-Life !! Joe Biden will hold a special place in history-and in my heart-for this one act.

[@davidroberts9037]

I commend you Reverend. You handle difficult topics very well. Thank you 🙏

[@CalliopeLyric]

He really does. I agree.

[@critterscute3642]

Hear hear

[@gbprime2353]

The death penalty cannot be undone when you discover that the prosecution had issues with their facts.

[@timdowney6721]

Or withheld exculpatory evidence from the defense, committed perjury or enticed others to do so, illegally excluded from juries people, particularly Jews thought to be unwilling to vote for execution. Et al.

[@lohikaarmeherra-1753]

Yesh, but the threat of it is a great tool to get people to confess to crimes they did not do…😅

[@zinaj9437]

Yeah, a quick "My bad" just doesn't seem right.

[@wolfe6220]

My half sister was murdered when she was 23 and I was 12. Her best friend shot her to death. She was given 5 years probation and ordered to pay my parents $50 a month for two years to cover her funeral costs. We were devastated at the ruling. I was so angry from that point on that if I had been given the chance to take her life and not been caught, I would have. Later, when studying in college, our abnormal psychology professor gave us the opportunity to earn extra credit by coming up with our own paper or project. I didnt really need the credit, but there was a murderer who was serving several life sentences. His case fascinated me as a teenager because the abuse he suffered as a child was what eventually lead to his crimes. As I was also heavily abused as a child, this left me with questions. I was told he was very intelligent and would likely respond back if a person would write to him. So, thinking about that extra credit, I wrote to him. That lead to a 30+ year correspondence that continues today. I never did write that paper on him. Turns out, we became friends over the years. When I've traveled for business and theres a weekend layover near the prison, where he's still serving, he is eager to have me come visit. We will talk, he will show me the latest poem he's written and tells me all the prison gossip. Sometimes we'll just sit with one another and fill out crosswords together or play scrabble (which he always wins). And he's counseled me to forgive my sister's murderer and if not for her sake, but mine. I resisted for a long time. But, then I think of my friend and how I've come to know him and his siblings over the decades. He's old now and he's lived longer than most prisoners ever will. I will miss him terribly when he passes. He has been my truest friend, and hope that he will be forgiven before he's gone. So, because he asked, I finally forgave her.

[@GwenMeek]

😢 + ❤

[@libbycollins9349]

Bless you. Forgiveness is a daily gift to ourselves, not just the forgiven. I did some restorative justice work and you are a stellar example of God bringing good out of bad. You may need to forgive more than once, I’ve found. Keep on. Holidays can be hard. Be kind to yourself.

[@kathyshea6087]

Thank you for sharing your incredible story. It is a reminder that healing often begins with forgiveness.

[@AmyHoward13]

With so many convicted being absolved, and the belief that up to 70% of incarcerated people on death row may be innocent I cannot abide the death penalty.

[@ST52655]

💯

[@davidellis4084]

From where did you get 70%? Seven percent might well be correct, but I think the proven cases are more like 2-4%. That is plenty for me.

[@johnnyrose6052]

WHY IS LEONARD PELTIER STILL IN PRISON ??!?!?!?!?!?!?

[@thomaselliot2257]

I used to be for it, but then realised we would be no better than the murderers, and then there is the danger that there might be miscarriages of justice, demonstrated by one or two cases of those convicted of murder were exonerated years later.

[@AlyraMoondancer]

This was a wonderful way to start my Christmas Day, hearing that my favorite president performed an act of compassion and mercy - 37 times! Thank you, Rev, for sharing this and for your wise and compassionate words. Merry Christmas, everyone!

[@paderewskigold]

I'm in TX and very, very supportive of Biden's commutations. TX has the most executions of any state, something I'm ashamed of. I am totally opposed to the death penalty. I would rather that convict live and remember and possibly come to some sort of conscience. If they don't, then at least they had to live their lives in prison and had to remember why they are there. Purposeful murder doesn't do anything.

[@davetorres3758]

Great message! Thanks.

[@krclinton]

It is inhumane. We don’t have the right to end a life. Only God can do that.

[@drmathochist06]

I agree with the conclusion; shaking my head at the "good Catholics" who cite _Evangelium Vitæ_ to oppose abortion but celebrate such murders. That said, the argument about potential redemption doesn't really feel very substantial. Even someone like Bowers, Roof, or Tsarnaev might already have had a change of heart, but that's not the point of capital punishment. It's purely about revenge and retribution, rather than rehabilitation, reconciliation, or redemption. And, as you state better later, that's exactly why we must abhor capital punishment: because it makes us act out of anger rather than love. It's exactly what you've said about forgiveness. We do it to release ourselves, not to let the perpetrator go.

[@Agnoletta]

Good. I detest the death penalty.

[@rakisk8r]

Thank you Rev Trevors

[@lindajallen3805]

In Alabama 5 years ago and innocent man was murdered by the state because the man that actually did the murder made a deal he got out of prison in 16 years and an innocent man died for his murder. The governor knows all the information about the case and allowed an innocent man to die. In 2024 in Missouri another DNA cleared innocent man was murdered the governor knows the information about the man's innocence and still murdered the innocent man. That's the two recent there have been many state murdered people that were innocent and they didn't find the truth until after the execution but these two recent murders were known innocent and still murdered that is the real crime of state sanctioned murder.

[@ltdc426]

No excreted person has been “proven” innocent since Furhman was overturned in 76. And since you mentioned no names, you have no credibility.

[@bdott1538]

@@ltdc426not with you, but I recall the cases, and they have credibility with me.

[@ltdc426]

@ yeah, and I’ve seen Bigfoot,

[@bdott1538]

@@ltdc426 good for you. Not sure why you think anyone here should or would care though.

[@ltdc426]

@@bdott1538 boy did THAT go over your head.

[@celestejohns681]

The sad part is that in Texas even if you are redeemed over time, the state still kills them. 😢

[@BellaBarossa]

Texas is just the worst.

[@TimJohnsonBizNet3]

It’s cheaper to have life without parole over death sentences

[@We-will-defeat-them]

Not becoming the monster is good advice.

[@PCPCRB]

God forgave David for an arranged murder when he repented. You are right Reverend.

[@sundanceadventuresllc5595]

I have to leave this in Gods hands... as you said Pastor Ed, who are we to judge or execute these souls before Salvation.❤😇🥰

[@thomaselliot2257]

It would be worse for those that have committed murder if they had to live the rest of their lives in captivity knowing that it would be a lot different for them if they had chosen a different path.

[@PCPCRB]

Canada stopped carrying out executions after 1962 and, with some exceptions, had various moratoriums on the death penalty. In 1976, Canada's parliament voted to abolish the death penalty from the Criminal Code.

[@timdowney6721]

And, not surprisingly, the US has gained nothing by its continuation of the death penalty. The rate of violent deaths in Canada is 1.6/100,000. The US rate is just shy of four times that, or 6.0/100,000. It's clear that vengeance and bloodlust are the two main reasons for death penalty support in the US.

[@drummerboycroy]

You nailed all my feelings about the DP. As a life-long US citizen (almost 60 years), you hit every point squarely. Giving up, furthering violence, asking citizens to tacitly “agree…” you hit every point. I refuse to surrender to violence or terror, and certainly not by condoning it. Ever.

[@shannonraby5547]

Exactly! I don't agree with capital punishment for the very same reason.

[@Boone1981]

Merry Christmas Reverend Ed!! I don't consider myself religious but was raised by those who do follow the teaching of Jesus. Thank you for reminding me that there are still good Christians out there!

[@johnnyrose6052]

FREE LEONARD PELTIER !!!!!!!

[@rev.leonidasw.smiley6300]

People shouldn’t kill other people, no matter the circumstances; life incarcerated has to be worse.

[@rev.leonidasw.smiley6300]

Yes, there is always help.

[@rev.leonidasw.smiley6300]

…and, two wrongs don’t make a right.

[@cr7-i3d1j]

Does that include unborn children?

[@lanejohnson752]

Rev.Ed thanks you for your thoughts. Personally I think that there are too many flaws in the system to condemn a person to death. Many people have died that were innocent and that is something that shouldn't have happened period.

[@miragegrey4177]

"Eye for an eye" means that the punishment should not exceed the crime.

[@ManySpiritualPaths]

Merry Christmas Rev Ed!

[@azusa9963]

Thank you, Reverend Ed 🙏 Merry Christmas 🎄

[@jamesmassey2089]

It's been said the "monster" in Frankenstein was the good doctor himself.....

[@obviousalias9506]

"Intelligence is knowing that Frankenstein was the doctor, not the monster. Wisdom is knowing that the doctor *was* the monster."

[@sharonfieber6458]

Last hanging was in May 1962 in Canada. Three "M" Marshal, Milgaurd and Moran and Truscott!

[@jupiterabc123]

I agree. Thank you.

[@obviousalias9506]

There's no coming back from an incorrect death sentence.

[@clarencehammer3556]

As far as I am concerned capital punishment is barbaric.

[@brb__bathroom]

Merry Christmas my favourite Reverend

[@4toes1nose]

🙏

[@Wednesdaywoe1975]

Oh this is a wonderful Xmas present.

[@debrasnider7116]

Merry Christmas

[@lindaSee89]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@olivianatwick7603]

I am a pro-life person I believe that life is precious that I or anyone else should never want to take a life. That's why I believe that the people who are found guilty of taking a life should spend the rest of their life in prison. I think I will forever remember what the father of Matthew Shepard got up at the sentencing of the two young men that took his son's life and he said that he would personally want to see them executed at the Wyoming State Penitentiary. He said however that his son Matthew would not want that and therefore he asked the judge to give them life sentences without the possibility of parole. He then said to the leader of the two men that did this that he every morning when he woke up with think Matthew for his life.😊

[@yesitschelle]

Everyone has different answers, morally, to this question. But we're supposed to be considering it in terms of protecting society. There's no evidence that capital punishment is an effective deterrent. US states have stopped it without making other changes. Zero effect on crime. There are clear instances that we've executed people who we knew were innocent. Besides being unspeakably horrible, it hurts society. A capital case costs more in court, and "death row" is unbelievably expensive. All we get out of it is saying "that person deserves" more punishment. Retribution. There are better ways to help victims.

[@K.L.M.Online]

Who says “we're supposed to be considering it in terms of protecting society”?

[@yesitschelle]

@K.L.M.Online If we ask to change the law, that's about the worst time to base a decision on our religious beliefs. Separation of church and state is a bedrock.

[@obviousalias9506]

Good catch. Statistics repeatedly show that having a death penalty does not impact the incidence of death penalty level crimes.

[@Crowned744]

Amen 🙏

[@lisafish1449]

I am conflicted. The death penalty is not applied fairly in the US. On the other hand, death may be preferable to life in federal prison. The prisoners will never see the sky or walk on grass again. They will never have contact with any other person. These conditions are known to cause mental health breakdowns.

[@SCAM-BUSTER.777]

They won't be in solitary confinement.

[@silverghostcat1924]

Most prisoners get time outside where they can visit with each other. Very few prisons keep all prisoners in solitary confinement all the time.

[@lisafish1449]

@@silverghostcat1924 according to the GAO, 20% of prisoners are kept in "restricted housing", including several who were confined for years.

[@ad-dx9gi]

Thanks Rev Ed for your comforting words Amen!!!....I Think Biden did the right thing ...What is the Christian thing to do.. Even Pope Francis is against Capitol Punishment.. Thanks God Bless 🕊️

[@marcwilke2521]

The problem with the death penalty is philosophical. If the killing of a human being is wrong, then the death penalty is wrong. Since you can only execute someone once they have been captured, tried, and sentenced, they do not pose a threat to society anymore. Another question is what paradigm your justice system is following. Here, in Germany, it is meant to protect society, to rehabilitate the criminal and reintegrate them into society, and to deter people from commiting crime in the first place. Revenge, retribution are specifically not a part of it. I understand why the victims and victim adjacent people call for revenge, but it had nothing to do with justice, only with lashing out in understandable anger.

[@fourgvngaaron5258]

You can't only forgive Trump Gaetz hegseth him Jordan You have to forgive all mankind ❤❤❤

[@marisolmagana9644]

No one has the right to decide over someone's life, don't become like them, only God can judge over their life, 'cause if you do, as you say, you become the monster that your are fighting against!!

[@bingyum]

Right on it was a we shall not kill.

[@davidellis4084]

Statistically speaking, about one of those death row inmates is actually innocent. That is too high a percentage for me to support the death penalty.

[@PaulUsypchuk]

We ars not authorized to take the life of another regardless of the circumstance. Life incarceration is far worse an outcome than death. And if there was a wrongful conviction, at least there could be a remedy.

[@TheJoan1959]

The BibleProject video series on the Sermon on the Mount provides some great insight into "eye for an eye" and "give them your coat too". Your followers might enjoy watching them. Merry Christmas!

[@markd.9538]

The death penalty is immoral. if no one has the right to take the life of another, neither should any government have that right.

[@melindabell0324]

Life in prison without parole, in general population, is, most likely, hell on Earth. We’re not supposed to wish a negative afterlife, nor judge them worthy of eternal torment. So, life without parole seems worse than death, to me. At least, on death row you have more protection until the “state” can execute the sentence. Anticipating untold decades of abuse sounds absolutely awful.

[@cxengel]

Totally against the death penalty. Not our place to play God. They will come to judgement.

[@sandicianciulli3463]

If our American justice system was equally applied, I might feel differently, but it isn't, and if we are truly Christian, we should be faithful to the red letters in the New Testament.

[@Uriel238]

There are a lot of Americans who want the death penalty, because retributive justice is all we get. Scholars and philosophers today aremlooking at other models of justice, in which the victims are actually regarded and made whole. (Or made as close to whole as possible.) Maybe in a society with values that focus on love for the victim and the community rather than fear and hatred of the assailant, fewer people will demand capital punishment. But for now, we have the death penalty for the same reason Mangione is being tried for terrorism; the same reason the US Supreme Court went on a killing spree during the lame-duck period after Biden won in 2020; and the same reason the US tortured a lot of people after the 9/11 attacks: our ownership class want blood. And they have the political power to assure the state will deliver that blood.

[@aprilcalhoun8984]

❤

[@ricklamb772]

Just think of the families of who

[@bdott1538]

…..???

[@jtsimmons3133]

Amen. We are slowly shedding the old, dark ways. There is hope in that capital punishment is now the exception in the world rather than the rule. And many, if not most Americans would happily see the end of capital punishment.

[@boris10008]

Government should never have the authority or power to take someones life.

[@ltdc426]

Police and soldiers?

[@Nightbird1914]

If you are truly ProLife you cannot be in favor of the death penalty. ProLife as the Church teaches is from conception until end of natural life. I’m not saying that’s my belief or not. Just stating facts.

[@silverghostcat1924]

Even if murders "change" and become saints for the rest of their lives, it doesn't change the fact they cut someone's life short, maybe many lives short. I'm sure them finding God will be no comfort for the family of the dead.

[@K.L.M.Online]

Actually, I have first hand knowledge of that very thing happening.

[@jacobbockover1628]

This brings to mind (as people go) how many failures is each success be worth? Its easier to pictue going door to door around here no people dont all hear you out or even let you get up the walk or say visiting prisoners or helping drug rehabs one of those commuted may spread a great message but maybe only one

[@auntiebobbolink]

Free Leonard Peltier!!!

[@Krankii-Oldman]

....and then there is Rule .303 (#Rule303)

[@lynnefox4892]

I came to make a comment, but you had made it. State sanctioned murder is still murder, and it's just wrong. I do not consent to killing in my name. Options exist, and you can never atone for having wrongly taken a life.

[@libbycollins9349]

Now governors should do the same in the states.

[@colleenv5040]

I agree. I was shocked that defendants in Alabama can be sentenced to death even if the entire jury doesn’t find them guilty.

[@waterfrontangling5724]

is Gods birthday Dec25

[@ltdc426]

Well that didn’t take long to delete all of my posts. Who is opposed to free speech? YT or the good reverend?

[@user-xw3bd2wq5v]

HIS name is Jesus⭐️ Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

[@GwenMeek]

❤

[@bunkerhill4854]

Do you really use Fox News to “check things out”? If so it may be time to revisit your decisions!

[@terrykennedy-lares8840]

The problem with your argument against the death penalty is the disbelief in life after death. If this is the only life we have then yes your argument makes sense. People should be given the chance to change before they die. But if life continues on after death then that means the change can come after death and souls can be forgiven (in Christian Mythology) in heaven or hell. Personally, I think re-incarnation is possible, so what is wrong with sending a soul back to try again? In Christian death beliefs that's pretty harsh if there is eternal damnation in hell. This does not mean I believe in the death penalty because I also believe that our government should not become the "monster". BTW, my brother was killed by our healthcare system or lack thereof in the US. What constitutes murder? Are the death row "monsters" the only ones out there? What about the healthcare CEOs who kill thousands every day? Are they not monsters? Or is Luigi the only "monster" because he chose to use a gun? This is not an easy argument.

[@allonszenfantsjones]

I think it's easy. There's absolutely no empirical evidence of life after death. Full stop.

[@dedeucelaborde8918]

He commuted d3ath sentences and they will still die behind bars. They're not going free.

[@sandytaylor7320]

🙏

[@jasonolson3133]

Merry Christmas

[@RichardBatten]

Amen 🙏🏼

[@libbycollins9349]

Now governors should do the same in the states.

[@ke9tv]

Several states that have capital punishment have stripped their governors of the pardon power.