I have known/befriended/ministered to a number of murderers through a prison ministry. Nearly all of them have accepted Christ. The one who was executed died singing "Amazing Grace." I think it is indeed possible, even likely that there was a demonic influence, but we also know demons can be driven out by the Holy Spirit. So I'm not sure the logic applies in terms of keeping them alive as long as possible. There are better reasons to oppose the death penalty in most cases. That said, the men in my prison FAVORED the death penalty when a "lifer" kills another inmate or a guard. They need the protection; otherwise, what do you do to someone who is already locked up for the rest of his life?
Yes. And to grow up. Many of the murderers I worked with were (had been) young men in gangs. Technically adult, but really still children, deadly dangerous children. So time, and also education, including religious instruction.
It is also a common thing to hear: if I were not here in prison, I'd be dead. The life I was leading (drugs, gang violence) I'd be dead by now. Prison is bad but it beats wher eI was going.
Juliette, Demons are able to leave the possessed when they want to. I'm guessing they leave as soon as they have carried out the mission. Killing the possessed (or formerly possessed) would have little bearing on the demon possessing a new person. Some of the possessed might be good people. Most seem to be people who are likely to enjoy the possession. Execution isn't always right, but it often is.
I'm of the opinion that most of these murderers, rapists, etc. are not possessed. Most are just depraved. That makes them no less a tool of Satan, and those definitely deserve execution.
I have come to oppose the death penalty in most cases, as I said, but think it necessary in a few. I don't know what "tool of Satan" means in a fallen world. Was Eve a "tool of Satan"? Yes, but we are still her children with filial obligations. It is not our place to give up on someone for whom Christ died.
I have known/befriended/ministered to a number of murderers through a prison ministry. Nearly all of them have accepted Christ. The one who was executed died singing "Amazing Grace." I think it is indeed possible, even likely that there was a demonic influence, but we also know demons can be driven out by the Holy Spirit. So I'm not sure the logic applies in terms of keeping them alive as long as possible. There are better reasons to oppose the death penalty in most cases. That said, the men in my prison FAVORED the death penalty when a "lifer" kills another inmate or a guard. They need the protection; otherwise, what do you do to someone who is already locked up for the rest of his life?
It seems to me that keeping them alive for a while gives them time to accept Christ.
Yes. And to grow up. Many of the murderers I worked with were (had been) young men in gangs. Technically adult, but really still children, deadly dangerous children. So time, and also education, including religious instruction.
Right. And that's the logic behind it.
It is also a common thing to hear: if I were not here in prison, I'd be dead. The life I was leading (drugs, gang violence) I'd be dead by now. Prison is bad but it beats wher eI was going.
Juliette, Demons are able to leave the possessed when they want to. I'm guessing they leave as soon as they have carried out the mission. Killing the possessed (or formerly possessed) would have little bearing on the demon possessing a new person. Some of the possessed might be good people. Most seem to be people who are likely to enjoy the possession. Execution isn't always right, but it often is.
I'm of the opinion that most of these murderers, rapists, etc. are not possessed. Most are just depraved. That makes them no less a tool of Satan, and those definitely deserve execution.
I have come to oppose the death penalty in most cases, as I said, but think it necessary in a few. I don't know what "tool of Satan" means in a fallen world. Was Eve a "tool of Satan"? Yes, but we are still her children with filial obligations. It is not our place to give up on someone for whom Christ died.