2006-11-30

Extradition Treaties

I read an article on the BBC website talking about the extradition of criminals to the US for terrorism related offences. Now, I agree that terrorism is serious, and those responsible for it should come to court and if found guilty be imprisoned; however, I do not agree with extradition to the US for any crime that may carry the death penalty.

You may well ask why should they not be extradited, especially for a serious crime. Quite simply, this is giving the UK courts a death penalty through the back door. I do not feel, that as imperfect sinful humans, we have the right to make that final decision to kill a killer. Only one without sin can do that.

Certainly if these men did commit their terrible acts, and remain unrepentant, they will bring judgement on themselves. However, if they over their time in prison they are repentant, then grace is on offer, just as Jesus (the only man truly without sin) offered it to a sinner in return for her repentance when he said:

If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her... Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?... Then neither do I condemn you,... Go now and leave your life of sin.

The promise of grace, with the request for repentance. If only we could go some way in this also. Yes, we need to be safe, but can we stay the executions please.

quote taken from John 8:7-11 (New International Version), omitting narrative.

Labels:

2006-11-27

Right at the Centre

A current advert for The Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham states

Christmas is more Christmasey, when you're right at the centre.

I beg to differ.

Labels:

2006-11-16

This post is (apparently) not heretic

Here are the results for my "Are you a heretic?" and "What's your theological worldview?" tests. Thanks to Mel and Rich Burley for finding these first, and to QuizFarm.com for hosting the quizes in the first place.

Are you a heretic?

You scored as Chalcedon compliant. You are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you're not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451.

Chalcedon compliant

100%

Monophysitism

50%

Pelagianism

33%

Docetism

0%

Arianism

0%

Apollanarian

0%

Donatism

0%

Adoptionist

0%

Modalism

0%

Socinianism

0%

Nestorianism

0%

Albigensianism

0%

Monarchianism

0%

Gnosticism

0%

What's your theological worldview?

(I should point out that the final result was a tie-break between the top two results)

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.

Emergent/Postmodern

82%

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

82%

Neo orthodox

43%

Classical Liberal

32%

Roman Catholic

29%

Charismatic/Pentecostal

29%

Modern Liberal

29%

Reformed Evangelical

21%

Fundamentalist

11%

Labels: ,