All justice is relational. Jesus of Nazareth taught that retaliation is a form of hell. When we indulge it, we stoke, spread, and personally internalize a dumpster fire. Elected officials who wish to associate themselves with his moral movement need to take seriously Jesus's specific teachings concerning transformative justice instead of funding the dumpster fire with our tax dollars. Solid research and the biblical witness are in agreement when it comes to the uselessness and cost ineffectiveness of our liturgies of incarceration, torture, and cruel and unusual punishment. The incoming data is clear and our laws should be shaped by it. Sin is active avoidance of incoming data. Tennessee’s lawmakers need to repent of their commitment to the dumpster fire. In
Yes.
"Sin is active avoidance of incoming data"
Reminds me of the Lament I used in worship.
Before being dismissed as pastor(34yrs) for "deficiency in style".
"Love Is Blindness" . . . . .
I don't want to see/won't you wrap the night around me . . . .
Because a certain kind of "Regime vs. anyone calling themselves 'Disciples'" event story catches my eye. I assume tyrants and tyrant organizations learn "best practices" from each other. https://bitterwinter.org/association-of-disciples-arrests-and-show-trials/
These churchy, political folks talk a good game. However, they live within their echo chambers, a bunch of clanging gongs.