Capital Punishment - Repentance, forgiveness and Justice

The parable of the lost son

The father shws his son unconditional forgiveness when the son returns home

The Crucifixion

Jesus showed forgiveness even on the cross. He said “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing”

Gordon Wilson - The Enniskillen bombing

Forgived his daughter’s killer - “I have lost my daughter, and we will miss her. But I bear no ill will. I bear no grudge”

“But let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream”

“And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Bible emphasise the importance of justice

Restorative Justice

Problem slolving apporach to crime that involes, commiunity, offender and the victim

Aims of restorative justice

Restoration -

* of the victim to a normal life
* of the offender a law-abiding life
* of the damage caused by crime to the community

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