 May/Summer 2000 (XXXVIII 3) |
want to thank the Friend who wrote in defense of the death penalty (PYM News, March/April), though I find his words a total repudiation of the core belief among Friends that there is that of God in everyone.
I thank him, first of all, for having the courage to speak forthrightly against what I take to be the prevailing view among Friends, opposition to the death penalty, notwithstanding his assertion to the contrary. The lone messenger must be heard, regardless of the content of the message.
I thank him for disabusing us of any assumption that Friends are in unity on this subject. We have much work to do as a faith community in coming to terms with this painful issue.
I thank him finally for challenging me to love one whose words offend me deeply, for if I cannot do so, I cannot hope that he will ever come to see the humanness in those he now condemns.
Will Richan
Swarthmore Meeting (PA)
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM