Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Exhibition

Reviews

BMJ 2001; 323 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7308.346 (Published 11 August 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;323:346

Rapid Response:

Justice and execution

Gavin-It was good to read your article and of course torture is still
widespread in the world today. I have a major complaint though with those
who lump torture with judicial execution.Torture is always wrong but
judicial execution is quite ethical and just.Where do we get our basis for
justice? I would like to suggest the primary source is from our Creator
God. Way back in the days of Noah God commanded that a murderer if
convicted be executed for his crime becuse he had taken a life.(Genesis
9:6)Only this punishment upholds the sanctity of life. God is just as the
Scriptures reveal yet He planned that His own Son be unjustly executed for
no crime but as a substitute for sinners like us so that by believing in
Him we might have mercy and justice.(He taking our punishment. God states
that the wages of sin is death-we are by nature separate from God and
unless He intervenes we will justly be condemned to hell for our flagrant
flouting of His character and holy law.

Competing interests: No competing interests

11 August 2001
Julian Kennedy
Staff Grade A/E
Royal Bournemouth Hospital