Anyone see tonight's episode of Grey's Anatomy?
I'll try not to spoil it for those of you who didn't see it (awesome episode BTW, one of their best I thought). Meredith is asked by a death row prisoner to attend his execution. "It would be nice to have a friendly face in the crowd." he says.
I think if a prisoner asked me to do that I would go. As Helen Prejean has often said of the prisoners she has seen executed, "I will be the face of Jesus for you."
I also wouldn't go to an execution of someone who victimized me or my family I think. I would also do what I could to show him or her compassion. In other words, I don't think I'd seek revenge in any instance where I or my family or friends had been victimized.
With regards to capital punishment a good friend explained how he felt about this to a death penalty supporter very simply:
"I think if someone killed my mother I have no doubt that I'd want to kill him. I also think because of that instinct the government should stop me from doing it."
What would you do?
4 comments:
If a prisoner asked me to attend his execution, I would go. I'm not sure what I would do if I could attend an execution of someone who killed a loved one. I'm very much against the death penalty. I would like to say that I wouldn't go and wouldn't support it but I honestly can't be one-hundred percent sure of how I would react to the situation. Grief and anger could overwhelm me. I would pray that the grace of God would bring me to a place of peace and forgiveness.
Hi,
Yes I would go to an execution. Last nights episode was definitely one of their better this season. I have new respect for Mer.
This season just seems weird to me. The comedy is different and people are flowing in and out too much.
I like your quotes!
Mike, I think I would go as well to an execution if asked by the prisoner. However, I would need so much support of friends and family because I know it is not something I could without the grace of God. What a difficult task. This show always makes me cry, and definitely did tonight!
Thought-provoking post! I thought that this episode created a lot of great dialogue regarding life and death issues. Personally, I would attend an execution only if requested by the prisoner. I am absolutely opposed to the death penalty, and know that it would be very, very upsetting to attend something like this.
Having had the experience of a family member's murder many years ago, I understand the emotions of the victim's family. Something that a lot of folks aren't aware of is that out of all the murders committed annually in the U.S., very few are actually capital cases. What I do know now is that, had I been dealing with a death penalty case in this instance, I would have gone to the court and begged for the life of the perpetrator. Life in prison without parole keeps the community safe---and gives the perpetrator a chance to seek forgiveness. That's what matters. You can't go back. One more death doesn't bring back the person who was murdered.
Killing people to teach them that killing people is wrong makes no sense to me.
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