Abolishing the Death Penalty: Moving Beyond Fear and Rage
If any California institution was totally ineffective, cost millions of dollars without benefit and had a less expensive alternative, one might think we would at least consider eliminating it.
All these criteria describe the death penalty. So why do we still have the death penalty in California?
I have been doing anti-death penalty work since before ordination. At first, I would come ready to debate with facts, figures, studies, Church documents and moral statements. However, the only question consistently asked is, what would I do if my mother or sister were murdered? Would I not want the death penalty?
If that horrible situation occurred, the shock and anger would confuse me no end. But those are the times I am glad for my faith. I would pray that faith would guide me into finding out not what I wanted, but what Christ wanted.
This question of "what would you do" touches on the essence of why we have a death penalty in California. Behind it is the shadow fear and anger - both natural, understanding reactions.
Fear is a strong part of what makes us human. It keeps us alive and our families safe. However, fear cannot be a guiding principles for dealing with God's children. If our families can be safe without causing harm to others, then we have an opportunity to go beyond our basic fears - beyond our natural human reactions.
Many years ago as a seminarian, I was asked to visit a man going on trial for his life. My superiors would only tell me that he had already been convicted of killing one person and was soon to be on trial for killing two more. I thought I was ready for the meeting my first inmate. I thought the meeting would take place behind a window and talking to him on the telephone. After all, that is what I saw how visiting dangerous inmates is done on TV.
At the county jail I was met by two very large officers. They brought me into a window less room with two chairs and brought in the handcuffed prisoner. This person was around 6 1/2 feet tall. I am height "challenged." The officers undid the handcuffs and left - locking the door behind them. My brain knew that I was ready to give my life to God but failed to notify my heart - which was beating very rapidly.
It took a long time to get over the fear, but over the years we eventually became friends. I was at his death bed when he died of cancer a few years later. In order to move on to something besides fear I needed Christ's help.
Rage is the other emotion that keeps the death penalty in place. Sometimes in my anti-death penalty work people have told me if I only knew the pain of victim family members I would change my opinion. One instance stands out.
After two years of meeting with the same inmate in the county jail, he asked me to be a character witness at his trial. I first told him that I could not do that, knowing how much pain he caused. After praying and thinking about his request, I reluctantly reconsidered and agreed to talk about his faith and spiritual life.
I was relieved to leave the courtroom after testifying. As I left, however, a man yelled at the top of his lungs: "HOW COULD YOU DEFEND SUCH A MAN?" The courtroom suddenly became very quite. You could hear a pin drop. In a soft whisper I told him that I didn't defend his actions, but described his faith and spiritual life and asked that he not be killed. After a few more seconds of hateful glares the man left me. (I later learned her was the victim's grandfather.)
That experience, although painful, taught me two very important lessons: In my future ministry to this inmate on death row, I remembered the pain that he caused that grandfather. The inmate came to realize as well. It also taught me that a family's loss is so devastating that their pain stretches beyond the death penalty, far beyond the life of the murdered.
The death penalty doesn't reduce the effect of or minimizes the loss. The death penalty only perpetuates the cycle of anger, grief and sadness, not only for the victim's family members but also for all the family members of the convicted killer.
There are always better ways to help the pain of families. One of the best is to use the money, time and effort that now goes into trying to kill the men and women on death row to help kids growing up with violence. If we help one child to turn away from violence, future victims and their families will escaped the pain and suffering that I have personally witnessed.
Is it possible to change kids? From my work at juvenile hall - and the confidence of my faith - I know the answer is yes.
I also know the Death Penalty does not work, not only from my first hand experience but also from my faith.
My faith also brings me to an optimistic conclusion that Christ demands his children to be about building his Kingdom of life and love, and not building a Kingdom of death, death sentences and death rows.
(Fr. Carson, a priest in the Diocese of San Jose, serves on the Board of California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty.)