In the news today, you will no doubt hear about the US Supreme Court's decision to abolish the death penalty for children. Today marks a proud moment for campaigners for human rights in this free land. Today the nation of liberty joins Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Nigeria, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and The People's Republic of China in banning the execution of minors. In fact, only these seven nations plus the US have executed children since 1990, and all of the other seven banned the practice before America. In the grand scheme of life, this doesn't affect that many people - only seventy people are on death row for crimes committed as juveniles, and in the last twenty years, just twenty-two have been executed. Not surprisingly, twelve of the twenty-two child-criminals killed have been in Texas. The symbolic impact, though, is great. We've proudly joined Iran and Congo in standing up for human rights. Now if we could just ratify the U.N. Convention of the Rights of the Child -- the US and Somalia are the only nations on the planet that haven't ratified this document, and Somalia hasn't had a functioning government in thirteen years. That's a decent excuse. What is ours?
Just as interesting as the opinion issued today is the dissent from the 5-4 Court, some of which is referenced in this article. Anthony Kennedy, a Reagan justice, wrote the opinion, and Antonin Scalia, another Reagan justice, wrote the dissent. Scalia objects to the influence of world opinion on US law, writing, "The court proclaims itself the sole arbiter of our nation's moral standards — and in the course of discharging that awesome responsibility purports to take guidance from the views of foreign courts and legislature. I do not believe that the meaning of our [Constitution] should be determined by the subjective views of five members of this court and like-minded foreigners."
When every single government on the planet has recognized that the execution of children is immoral, perhaps it is prudent to listen. When the worst human-rights offenders on earth have deemed that this action is too repugnant even to them, perhaps we should consider the voice of the world community. Everyone recognizes that serious and terrible human rights abuses occur - likely daily - in places like Iran, Saudi Arabia, the DRC, etc. In my opinion, that does not excuse the fact that they have taken a step that the US has been unwilling to take until this decision.
No one is suggesting that our Constitution be interpreted by a U.N. committee. No one is suggesting that control of our laws be handed over to international consensus. Yet when the world speaks clearly with one voice on the immorality of a single action of our government, we are told that our government must never give heed to the reflection we see in the mirror the world holds up to us. God bless America indeed. We need it.
Amen! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord that there are people in the world like Steven Nicholson, both Christian and intellectual. I generally refrain from having political discussions since I live in the buckle of the belt. That is, the Bible Belt where Bush is the true messiah and joining the Republican party is a prerequisite to receiving the Holy Spirit. Almost always, I get so frustrated I want punch both people and things (maybe I could be a million dollar baby). Always, I feel like an eagle trying to soar through murky water. Thanks for this post, Steven. I feel slighty normal again. Although you've vindicated my thoughts, it would take an act of God to make me feel completely "NORMAL"- whatever that is.
Posted by: Aeriale | March 02, 2005 at 19:11
Some people may seem suprised that we were last to abolish the juvenile death penalty in comparison to countries we see as "uncivilized" including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. I do not however, because of the fact that this is America, after all. We will also be the last major nation to sign the Kyoto Protocal, if we ever do. And with our current president, that is a big IF. It is ironic that we would call ourselves civilized when we were killing juveniles, because if you kill someone for murdering a person, you in turn become the murderer. A far greater punishment would be to put the crimnal in a cell for the rest of his life with a big picture of the one he killed on the wall. He would wake up every day to the sight of the reason to his misery. In regards to things we do like this, it is easy to see why other countries do not favor us.
Posted by: Adam Frey | March 02, 2005 at 23:06
As the token SELF-IDENTIFIED Democrat of the Baptist Student Union during Aeriale and Steven's time, I am glad to read this post. Neither party has the market cornered on Christian values, so I find it frustrating that the right-wing dominates the conversation this way. Oh, and I should say hi to Aeriale since we havent spoken since college.
Posted by: Guy Cecil | March 05, 2005 at 08:33
A good read for all who like to think about this stuff...
"God's Politics: Why the Right is Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It." by Jim Wallis (of Sojourners).
I've just read bits so far, but it's at the top of my summer reading list.
dc
Posted by: Duane Cottrell | March 09, 2005 at 22:03
Mine too, DC. Did you hear his interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air? It was fantabulous!
Posted by: Aeriale | March 10, 2005 at 16:21
Aeriale, I did hear that interview, and remember thinking at the time that it might just be possible to be an evangelical Christian with a social and political conscience. I'm still not sure, but Wallis gives me hope. :-)
Incidentally, The Church of the Saviour in Washington, D.C. has been doing it for about 50 years, and is worth reading up on. You should add "Call to Commitment" by Elizabeth O'Connor to your reading list. (www.pottershousebooks.org)
Posted by: Duane Cottrell | March 15, 2005 at 00:16