Changes

Because human life is such a precious thing, reforming must be considered as a possible alternative. What becomes the determining factor to deem that a person is beyond the possibility of reform? Through attempting to reform an individual we as a society are doing the right moral thing. It is right to attempt to transform a violent person into a peaceful one. It seems as though people in seeking the death penalty are trying in vain for justice. The crime to which the person has been jailed is already been committed. Will their death bring back someone else’s life? No it will not. Therefore it is through peaceful methods that we must try to rehabilitate violent criminals and not try to punish them.

Justice is a corrupt business in this country. Very often those who can afford justice get it. And then, is justice truly done? Justice is not some far abstract concept that is limited only for certain people. Ideally justice is for all people. People also need to ask themselves whether or not they are trying to better their society or not. People should be working for the good of the society be trying to help one another. This too can be a very difficult notion. For example, citizens in a particular community would most likely not wish to rehabilitate a serial killer, who has murdered in their neighborhood. Yet such people must realize that such a person will probably not be released into society again. However, as I have stated already all life is worth something, even the life of a serial killer is not worthless. The Paschal homily of St. John Chrysostom reminds us of the feast prepared even for those that have come at the eleventh hour. Perhaps such a man, through sincere prayer and repentance, is one who arrives at the eleventh hour. This means we must allow him to come and to receive him.

In closing, it is imperative that we always remember that true justice comes from God and from him alone. Our lives here are a constant struggle to be in harmony with God. This means that we can never forget what is truly important for a moment of temporal justice. A method of rehabilitation must always be used as opposed to the torture, or execution of an individual.

==Other Resources==