According to an online article by N. T. Wright: "You can't reconcile being pro-life on abortion and pro-death on the death penalty."
This is in many ways a typically pithy Tom Wright remark. Unfortunately, it is absurd. Maybe Wright cannot reconcile it in his mind, but I can't see anything inherently illogical about affirming both. What he seems to leave out of the equation is justice. He puts an absolute value on life so that it is wrong to take life no matter what the circumstances. Presumably Wright is a pacifist who would also oppose all military action or war no matter what the reason for it? Otherwise I would say: "Wright can't reconcile being pro-life on abortion and the death penalty and pro-death on just war."
The Bible takes a different view and I would argue a more realistic view. The biblical teaching, it seems to me, can fully reconcile opposing abortion (with exceptions such as where the mother's life is physically in danger or where the pregnancy has been caused by rape) and supporting the death penalty for murder. The first opposes the deliberate taking of a baby's life that does not deserve to die; the latter supports the judicial taking of life in just punishment for having taken another person's life.
Now, that's not to say I would support re-introduction of the death penalty in the UK at this time. In our current system I wouldn't. We would need far greater safeguards than we have before I think the death penalty could be sanctioned (such as the death penalty for perjury where the false evidence results in someone being executed and the need for two witnesses before the death penalty would be justified).
I know many Christians and others take different views on these matters. That's okay. But it does no good to overreach ourselves in argument as Wright does from time to time. It's quite possible to argue against abortion and against the death penalty - that's fine. But it's not illogical to argue differently in the two different cases. On this one, Wright is simply wrong.
Good observation. No cause, however admirable, is advanced by sloppy thinking.
ReplyDeletePretty well exactly my own view. Nicely put.
ReplyDeleteI believe anyone could justify any rationale to support their beliefs and sleep well at night. I find the Christians running the world do this quite well and at the same time seem to belittle and judge individuals with differing views. Why should anyone assume a child is or is not meant to die, and as horrendous as rape is, if a child is produced wouldn't that signify Gods wish from a Christian view? I am simply observing and agree fully to what you said, as no one can disallow, Or find it unreasonable to justify believing, in pro abortion, anti death penalty, anti war, pro gay marriage, pro personal liberty and antigovernment.
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