It Makes You Think

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

18 Sep 2008 08:36 AM

I love TV shows and books that make me think. Last night we watched Boston Legal. Apart from the wacky sense of humor that permeates David E. Kelley shows, one of the reasons I like this show is because it is concerned with the law and makes me think. Legal shows always fascinate me. It also makes me think about things I might not otherwise think about. It may be only a TV script and not an actual case, but it's enough to start the brain ticking over.

Take the episode we watched where Alan Shore was to go before the U.S. Supreme Court about their decision to impose the death penalty for a guy convicted of raping an eight year old child. Now I have to admit here, my first reaction to anyone convicted of such a crime is certainly a, long way from Christian.

To my mind anyone who harms a child in such a manner deserves everything the law can throw at him. Such a person not only destroys the life of the one against who the crime was committed but often others within the family and future relationships. So that one act has a ripple effect. I did warn you my attitude is a long way from being Christian in such cases. Where is the justice in such a case?

Then Alan Shore gets up in front of the Supreme Court and two things happen. He starts to attack those on the bench for their inconsistencies and yes, hypocrisy in the own dealings. He also does what his client has asked home to do, namely to sate that the client asked him to tell them he was innocent of the crime he'd been convicted of and that he didn't ant to die. He went onto to give the statistics of times the court had elected to go with the death penalty and of course he raises the issue of what if the jury got it wrong.

Real cases have come to light where people have been wrongly convicted of serious crimes. And that's his argument. With the death penalty, there is no way back from it. It is final. Where is the mercy?

I've never had to sit on a jury. Each time I've been excused but it makes me wonder how I would react. Would I be so rigid, judgmental and unforgiving, in my thinking if a person's life was on the line? It's food for thought.

It did make me think again, that I am so thankful God doesn't treat us as we deserve, but loved us enough to send His Son to pay the price for our sins, 1 John 4:9-10.

Bible verses from The New American Standard Version

Please visit these related blogs

A View of Execution

Forgiving Those Who've Hurt Us

Welcome or Not -Part 2

Are Christians Called to be Tolerant?

I'd Never Do That

Making Snap Judgements

Learn more about Dale Harcombe

Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

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