Cries for Justice in this blessed land of SVG
Tue, Sept 20. 2011
Editor: Viewing SVGTV news last Tuesday evening was like looking at a serious crime movie. âCampden Park man murdered two and left two injured in a shooting rampageâ…âMan found dead in a pit latrine in Sharpes…â Can it get worse in SVG?{{more}}
Amidst the expression of grief and condolences by relatives and friends of the victims, the call for the death penalty (hanging) could not escape our ears. One lady said, âIf they give me the job to hang them I will hang them.â It seems as if we, the ordinary citizens, have a greater sense of justice than those with the authority who can do better!
I continue to be saddened by the escalating crime situation in our country. We do not even get time to recover from the horror of one crime, before another is committed. Perpetrators of these heinous crimes operate as if life is of no value – the life of the victim. What is often vexing is that these murderers, along with their defenders, will have the audacity to argue that these cold-blooded murderers have a right to life and to even demand improved conditions in prison. They unwisely describe a God-instituted penalty for murder as being âbarbaric and inhumaneâ. In essence, the murdererâs evil act is often excused, causing him to get away from just punishment- the DEATH PENALTY.
My message to murderers is ârepent of your wicked ways so that you will be saved in the judgement of God (Ezekiel 18:21, 22). However, the consequence for your heartless unlawful killing, with premeditated malice should be DEATH, nothing less.â The all wise God, wiser and more just than any man, says âwhoso sheddeth manâs blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he manâ¦If thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vainâ¦â (Gen. 9:6; Rom.13:4).
The issue of crime is a very serious one. I often wonder how serious is the authority (the judiciary, the privy council etc.) in dealing with crime? The situation is worsening in the country and âBecause sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evilâ (Eccl.8:11).
People think they can settle their differences or vent their anger by boldly resorting to crime- even the worst of crimes. Obviously they seem not to be deterred, since all that happens is that they spend some time in jail, getting fat off tax payers money. In the meanwhile, all the family of the victim receives is condolences. What about justice? The failure to give the criminal the just penalty for his crime often creates graver problems. âAh go kill yo and do me time ah jail yo knowâ is often echoed by the would-be criminal. If they know that they will receive the death penalty for their crime, they will think twice before even uttering such words.
The crime rate will not decrease until there is visible and just punishment meted out to the criminals. Forget all the foolish, emotional, unbiblical and unfounded arguments that are propagated, such as âit is barbaric, inhumaneâ¦the criminal deserving a second chance etc.â Do they even imagine being in the place of the family of the victim/s! It is these same âpatheticâ arguments that are used against Corporal Punishment when the Bible tells us âwithhold not correction from the child: for if thou beat him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shall beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hellâ (Prov.23:13, 14). Do you think that criminals are born overnight? It is years of fostering ill-disciplined behaviour and parentsâ failure to exercise corrective measures of punishments which produce hardened criminals. It is the cherishing and pampering of selfish, evil character traits that develop into mature, uncontrollable passions leading to murder. And then, some âknow-it-all humanistâ tells us that corporal punishment and capital punishment are inhumane and humiliating. Non-sense! I join with all who cry for justice and peace in the land. Itâs time to be meaningfully âtough on crime and the causes of crimeâ.
Ann-Marie Ballantyne
svgpatriot@hotmail.com