Poll: Should James Holmes Get the Death Penalty If Convicted in Massacre?

Fayette (Davis) Driskell July 28, 2012 at 06:24 pm

Belinda, I totally agree with you. The death penality would be too good for him, it would not bring the others back, & it would be his way of going out with NO remorse, NO guilt, NO pain, & he accomplished what he set out to do...Why should we "pay" for him to be set "free"?..put his sick mind in the "yard" with the other bad boys, they will teach him real quick what what its like to be in "outer space"..his voice might be somewhat higher, but he will get whats coming to him...

Michael Ecklund July 28, 2012 at 09:26 pm

If the young man is found sane and is found guilty by the court. His life should be taken.

Ron Selkovitch July 29, 2012 at 08:48 am

Michael, Is the death penalty consistent with Christian morality ?

Ron Selkovitch July 29, 2012 at 09:02 am

It concerns me that when someone like Holmes commits a violent crime, there are plenty of otherwise normal people who compete with other to propose unpleasant punishments.
I sometimes wonder if they are the ones who provide a pool out of which people like Holmes originate.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 02:47 pm

Ron Selkovitch, yes Ron it is. If you are defineing a christian as being a believer of Jesus Christ at what he did at the cross. Today people call any religion as being christian, which is not true.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 02:59 pm

Ron, If he gets life, who pays for his up-keep. What about the familys that lost there love ones. Do you think they would like the idea of 3 squares a day, watching TV, free medical and etc. If guilty...kill him. Having guns and killing animals has nothing to do with it. If we are a society that has produced violent people, then keep taking God out of the picture, out of the schools, no ten commandmants, don't ever mention the name of Jesus. On and on. By doing this what do you expect society to become?

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 03:00 pm

Doug, on this we agree.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 03:03 pm

Ned: Being put to death is never a easy exit.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 03:05 pm

Kevin George: " If you break one of my commandments, you are guilty of all"

Ron Selkovitch July 29, 2012 at 04:01 pm

Michael, Can you elaborate. How does your religion (your Christianity) justify the death penalty.

Ron Selkovitch July 29, 2012 at 04:48 pm

Michael, It seems like a very mercenary reason for taking a life. Would Jesus have condoned this justification? I don’t see that we have “taken God out of the picture”. We are saturated with churches that people can freely attend and retaining the death penalty is more violent than any of the examples you have given.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 06:15 pm

Kevin George..............yes and yes...........

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 06:28 pm

Ron Selkovitch. You asked if Jesus would say that? Not in those words, he did'nt say you kill you go to gas chamber. He did say eye for eye and to follow the law of the land.God wrote in stone do not kill. He must of thought that was a very important one. If Colorado does not have the death penalty then life in isolation. A lot of people are not to civilzed today. Stoping the death penalty will not change them nor will it cut down on murder.If someone kiled 12 members of your family, would you still feel the same? The reflection is that society thinks they know the way to do it all and do not need the help of God to do it.

Libi Uremovic July 29, 2012 at 06:39 pm

eye for an eye is old testament...jesus said to turn the other cheek ..

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 07:27 pm

libi uremovic, Jesus came not to do away with law but to full fill it. It would be nice if you could put caps on your creators name.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 07:38 pm

Ron Selkovitch: You asked about morality. True morality can only be achieved through contact with Christ. Rules and regulations, whatever they might be, are all external and as such, cannot effect the morals of a individual. In fact, such commands are powerless to aid true righteousness. He alone can be the standard as to what moralitry actually is, and the inspiration for ethical conduct.

Ron Selkovitch July 29, 2012 at 09:40 pm

Michael, i'm still having trouble understanding whether the morality of Jesus includes the death penalty.

Libi Uremovic July 29, 2012 at 09:52 pm

jesus was a mortal man that left 2 commandments:
1. only have one god... ironically jesus himself is turned into a god... 2. love your brother as you love yourself.....that also seems to have the opposite effect on his 'followers'... read the bible cover to cover mike.....don't just pick out the parts to pat yourself on the back, read it cover to cover....it takes about 3 months, but for some reason religious people can't read the bible cover to cover... read it cover to cover mike...it will change your life...if you can do it...

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 09:57 pm

Ron Selkovitch, If you don't understand what I have said, then I don't think I can answer anything for you. The morality of people and all wanting to show that the way is self and mans way. Jesus was sent to his death for that. I guess we can send the Colorado guy to death for murder.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 10:01 pm

Mary, once again one flew over the coco's nest.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 10:08 pm

Amanda Schmid, One thing I read or heard was that one of the persons shot said that when he came out, he could feel the evil comming off him.Sounds like a demon to me. But don't take my word for it, as most that writre on here think I am nuts.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 10:13 pm

Kevin George: I see you live in a good part of town. I also see you have lost another round.

Michael Ecklund July 29, 2012 at 10:27 pm

Ron Selkovitch: Yes, he became man but he laid his deity aside. He was put to death as a man. What part are you not getting? I have studied the Bible for many years and I don't need someone to tell me if I would read the whole thing it will change me. Maybe their should be a change in you my friend. If Jesus can be put to death is there some reason we can't do that to Holmes? I don't recall reading that Jesus killed anyone. Or did I miss that????

Ron Selkovitch July 29, 2012 at 11:31 pm

Michael, everything i know about Jesus tells me he wouldn't support the death penalty.
I sincerely hope you will reconsider your position.

Michael Ecklund July 30, 2012 at 02:17 pm

Ron Selkovitch, what is great at this time in this country, we can still believe the way we want to.

Michael Ecklund July 31, 2012 at 07:43 pm

Ron Selkovitch: To go just a bit further, would Jesus have the death penalty? As I am picking out spots in the Bible, I would like to draw your attention to Leviticus 20 starting with the 9 verse. 1. Death if you disrespect your parents. 2.Death for adultery. 3.Death for incest. 4. Death for beastiality. 5.Death for homosexuality.(That one is for Doug Curlee that knows more then God.) 6. Death for other sexual sins.. This is Gods judgement, not mine. Do you think he would pass up murder?

Fanny Parker July 31, 2012 at 08:17 pm

I see the debate rages and inevitably God enters the picture. I totally get that. He always does! There has to be a bottom line here, and that is this: if you don't believe in the death penalty then what would you suggest be done? And as you think about that, think of ALL the implications. For instance, if you think counselling is valuable then who is going to do this? And who will pay for it? And who pays for their housing for the rest of their lives whether in prison or a mental institution? I'm not being a smart alec, I'm asking this in all seriousness. And I hope to get some real and thoughtful responses. We all know that state and local governments are claiming there is no extra money so what do you suggest? A special fund that depends on citizens for voluntary contribution? Maybe another tax targeted solely for this purpose? We can debate all we want but there has to be a way to support NOT putting them to death. Bible quotes are great, and speak to the believer in not killing them. But it doesn't address a realistic solution of the expense of all this. That has to be the bottom line, HOW do we make it so these people can live and receive proper counselling and treatment? And if it is successful, training and ongoing counselling to bring them back as functioning members of society. Our prisons are so overcrowded already it's a miracle more don't turn to worse crime! These people would need special housing, away from prisoners who would kill them.

Cara July 31, 2012 at 08:51 pm

He deserves to die! Just like the innocent 6 year old girl whos life was taken much too soon by his hands! People are too funny, why would they want him alive? What purpose does he have left to serve? I guarantee if this happened here in SD and your family was affected it would be a different answer from all of you saying, NO he doesnt deserve to die!!! Really, but those 12 people did? The death penalty is there and put into action for people like James Holmes!

Cara July 31, 2012 at 08:53 pm

Oh and the 6 year old girl's mother was 8 weeks pregnant and suffered a miscarriage due to stress, rightfully so. There is another charge for murder he should have!

Fanny Parker July 31, 2012 at 10:50 pm

I happen to agree with you Cara. I have no responses to my earlier question. Is it possible that I'm now reviled because I brought up pertinent question to those who insist we keep him alive?