I have to say, I get the keyboard blues from being constantly compelled to call out "Christians" who practice tribal religion in lieu of Jesus-infused Christianity. We've got legions of 'em here in the Lone Star State. They populate and dominate our death penalty industry.
Led by Governor Rick Perry, these believers wear Christianity on their chest like a Superman logo. They boldly and proudly proclaim the United States to be a Christian nation. If Texas were an independent nation, we would be the seventh-largest practitioner of capital punishment, just a smidgen behind Yemen, a failed state with a medieval judicial system.
This week David Lee Powell was executed by our "Christian" system for killing an Austin police officer 32 years ago, the Austin Statesman reports:
Seven members of the victim's family watched silently from a nearby window. Strapped to the execution gurney with intravenous lines already inserted, Powell kept his eyes locked on members of officer Ralph Ablanedo's family but did not acknowledge Warden Charles O'Reilly's invitation to speak.His head still turned toward the window, Powell half closed his eyes as the lethal combination of drugs began flowing at 6:10 p.m.
Ablanedo's widow, Judy Mills, gripped the hand of son Steve Mills and cried quietly as the drugs took effect. A doctor pronounced the once-promising honors student dead nine minutes later. He was 59.
This is the first execution with which I had even minimal personal interaction. I interviewed Sally Norvell, the filmmaker of "Saving David Powell, on my radio show "Soul Talk," and I invited her to screen the film at my church. I called and e-mailed Travis county District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg numerous times requesting to meet with her, along with several of my parishioners, to discuss David's execution. I wasn't even extended the courtesy of a form letter rejection.
Former Texas state representative Sissy Farenthold has been visiting David Powell for 20 years. A few days ago she wrote:
Powell has demonstrated his remorse and humanity by living a redemptive life for three decades. He has taught illiterate inmates how to read, write and improve their lives. He had no history of violence before his crime and none in his 32 years on death row. And he has expressed his deep remorse to Ablanedo's family.
Restorative justice calls for Powell to be spared so that he can continue to address the needs and concerns of the Ablanedo family and the prison community in which he lives.
It recently struck me like a Damascus road jolt that if St. Paul was a Texan the ruling "Christians" of this grand Republic would have executed him.
He was an accessory to the murder of Stephen, one of the original church Deacons. Among the groups involved in his stoning were the "Freedman." Today they would be FOX commentators. Before his Damascus road conversion St. Paul (then Saul) was "breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord." Saul had received warrants from the Supreme Court to search the synagogues for Christian disciples whom he would arrest and drag to prison.
God entreated a disciple named Ananias to go visit blinded by the light Saul. He was skittish to do so because he had "heard how much evil he has done to the saints at Jerusalem."
But God assured Ananias, "He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel."
Since Saul was afforded the opportunity for redemption he became Paul, the greatest evangelist in the history of the Christian faith.
If Saul were a Texan he would have never become St. Paul. Before he had a chance to print up his gospel tracts, our pious officials would have executed him just like they did David Powell. The crude and cruel irony is that in so doing they likely would not have the honor of calling themselves by that noble name: Christian.
Brad R. Braxton: Getting in Front of Jesus: The Politics of Progressive Christianity (Part II)
The story of Jesus might have been different if Joseph and Mary had been sent back to Israel from Egypt because they were considered "undocumented workers," or worse, "illegal aliens."
Death Penalty Information Center
Capital punishment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul was spared because the trial of Stephen was a sham.
Intentionally based upon false testimony, the outcome was predetermined and there was no one to charge Saul (later St. Paul), because the leadership had taken part in the immoral persecution of Stephen. They wanted Stephen executed and they wanted it done under the legitimacy of law. Technically, Saul/Paul was carrying out the prescription of the court and had, therefore, not broken the law. see links, below
Had this immoral conspiracy been uncovered and properly prosecuted, Saul/Paul would have been put on trial and justly sentenced to death, along with many others.
But, Rev. Freeman, that wasn't God's plan, was it?
Had human justice ever been the goal, Stephen never would have been prosecuted and martyred and it is likely Saul never would have become St. Paul.
It was Stephen's words in persecution that brought about the conversion of Saul/Paul. Possibly, God's plan? See links.
Therefore, if you believe in God's plans, then His plan would have survived changes in time and place and Paul would have survived in Texas, as well. Paul would not have been prosecuted there either.
In fact, if truth prevailed, Saul/Paul would have been executed for his crime in the older case, but would have been spared in Texas, today, because it was not a death penalty eligible crime.
You had everything backwards.
www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-10-056-c
www.keyway.ca/htm2002/stephen.htm
More to the point, all murder involves killing, but not all killing involves murder. Surely, Rev. Freeman know this from Scripture. It's the essence of the 6th commandment. In the New Testament era, the task of retributive justice was given to the civil magistrate (cf. Rom. 13:1-4). This is God's command to purge the evil from our midst.
Not just Paul, but if Jesus came here today, they'd crucify him again and all the while singing His praises!
http://crimevictimsmediareport.com/?cat=95
Please at least use sound logic when you pass judgement. The entire premise of your article is incorrect.
TX would not have executed Paul, because he did not break any laws. He was acting in an official capacity.
I hope that clears it up for you.
It appears that you have reversed things.
This crime is not death penalty eligible in Texas.
However, it was death penalty eligible crime at its original time and location, wasn't it?
Since when do Christian officials decide who is executed in Texas? What did St Paul do that made him eligible for the death penalty in Texas?
You compare him to David Powell, but where is the comparison? David Powell was a drug dealer who used an illegal AK-47 machine gun to kill a police officer. What did Saul (St.Paul) do in comparison to that. And David Powell was convicted in 1978, he had 32 years of opportunities to have his trial and his sentence appealed and re-appealed. He was afforded every opportunity under the law to contest his sentence and used every one of them. I think it's interesting that most articles written in his last days never questioned his guilt, only that he was an exemplary prisoner and born again christian.
Please explain where you see the comparison?
But you say that "Christian Officials" would have condemned him. I disagree, a jury of his peers would have condemned him. And after 32 years worth of appeals he may have been executed. Yet I find that hard to believe that would happen for holding a coat as an accessory.
And further, you changed your argument to say he could have been held as a terrorist. Those aren't Texas laws, those are federal laws.
And yes, I have lived back in Houston for the past 7 years. This is the 3rd largest city in the United States, yet we have a very low crime rate compared to other large cities. This past fall, we actually went 10 days without a homicide. When is the last time that Los Angeles went 10 hrs without a homicide? 40 people were shot in Chicago last weekend. You choose Texas because you think it's an easy target for your anti-death penalty beliefs, but I live here.
No, I'm not a christian and I don't feel hypocritical for the persons on death row. Your comparison of St Paul with David Powell is not a reasonable analogy for myself.
Jesus: "So Pilate said to (Jesus), "Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?" Jesus answered (him)"You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above" John 19:10-11
Jesus: Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Jesus) replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23: 39-43
Jesus: "You have heard the ancients were told, YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER" and Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court". But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, "Raca", shall be guilty before the supreme court and whoever shall say, "You fool", shall be guilty enough to go into fiery hell. Matthew 5:17-22
Need I go on?
The man rejected a relationship with God before, during and after his crime/time in prison-- even with a death penalty over his head he would not turn to God and seek his intervention in events--in a state as strict as Texas! Shows monumental pride--I am speaking from a biblical perspective since this is a religion forum and this is an article that puports to address this from spirtual perspective. God was his best chance for mercy in this situation- if he had turned to God, God may have worked in his behalf somehow. But he rejected his best ally in such a situation. He relied on his works instead. Works as the bible states don't get you into heaven and they don't move God on your behalf if you "do" them, but reject God Himself
If Paul - the homophobic, misogynistic, heterosexist, pro-war, anti-knowledge, proponent of slavery, advocate for the State’s supremacy and the hater of everything he didn't like - lived in Texas, they would have made him a saint and voted him in as governor.
Glad to meet you and thanks for the "Fan!" :-)
Kindly allow me to return the favor...
Yep. Give it time.
Ok, I'm over it. (What? They aren't gone yet? Darn, all that grieving for nothing.)
2 Timothy --- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,