To Err Is Human, To Forgive Is

Remorse Presupposes Enough Self-forgetfulness To Feel The Pain Ofothers.

There Are Spaces Of Sorrow Only God Can Touch.

I Keep Thinking Of The Gifts Of My Own Upbringing, Which I Once Took For Granted: I Can Read Any Book I Choose And Comprehend It. I Can Write A Complete Sentence And Punctuate It Correctly. If I Need Help, I Can Call On Judges, Attorneys, Educators, Ministers. I Wonder What I Would Be Like If I Had Grown Up Without Such Protections And Supports. What Cracks Would Have Turned Up In My Character?

In Sorting Out My Feelings And Beliefs, There Is, However, One Piece Of Moral Ground Of Which I Am Absolutely Certain: If I Were To Be Murdered I Would Not Want My Murderer Executed. I Would Not Want My Death Avenged. Especially By Government--which Can't Be Trusted To Control Its Own Bureaucrats Or Collect Taxes Equitably Or Fill A Pothole, Much Less Decide Which Of Its Citizens To Kill.

The Movement To Abolish The Death Penalty Needs The Religious Community Because The Heart Of Religion Is About Compassion, Human Rights, And The Indivisible Dignity Of Each Human Person Made In The Image Of God.