Theos-Talk Archives (January 2006 Message tt00240)

Hi Dallas,

Your comments bring light to a very complex and often confusing 
subject. After all, whatever our ideals, we do live in this time and 
this place with a certain set of customs and assumptions shared by 
the majority, or at least so it seems.

It is often instructive to apply basic theosophical principles to 
dilemmas. In this case, regarding the issues under consideration, it 
is very interesting to sincerely ask oneself, "How would I feel if 
(the act under scrutiny) happened to me? If I were being invaded and 
bombed by the military forces of another country? If I were being 
accused of a crime that I may not even have committed, and executed 
for the same?" An honest answer will often be very illuminating. 

All the best,
Adelasie

On 21 Jan 2006 at 6:50, W.Dallas TenBroeck wrote:

> 1/21/2006 5:56 AM
> 
> 
> 
> RE: JUDICIAL ACTIONS -- Science versus the Death Penalty
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Steve:
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks as always for your good thoughts.
> 
> 
> 
> In my opinion: The question of judicial equity and judgment is
> current so much now, in these days of threatening terrorists, local
> criminals of all kinds, and fearful men and women everywhere. 
> 
> 
> 
> Ask also if any "war" or "pre-emptive strikes" are justified. 
> 
> 
> 
> Is crime, vandalism, murder, torture, robbery, destruction, etc. 
> 'right' if wielded politically ? 
> 
> 
> 
> What is the difference between a person, a child, a weaker or impaired
> individual, and a whole country? Are there fair two-tiered or
> two-level attitudes in this? Why not have a "United World" instead of
> merely a small, strong, violent and enforcive: "United States." Have
> we the right to invade, destroy and kill because of a bad "government
> ?" How many people like us in Iraq {to use an example) have lost
> their near and dear ones ? Can they "love the U S A ?" 
> 
> 
> 
> What is the true value of any human life ? Is it relevant to politics
> and society -- or the very intrusive and subtle idea that "those over
> there" have less value that "we over here." 
> 
> 
> 
> It is the old ploy: "I am the bully with the BIG STICK. So you had
> better do what I say, and immediately, - OR ELSE .." MY MIGHT IS THE
> ONLY RIGHT ...!!!!!!! ??????? 
> 
> 
> 
> All human judgments of other human's character or acts are dangerous. 
> They interfere with the action of impartial and just Karma - which is
> UNIVERSAL, IMPARTIAL, IMPERSONAL, and relentlessly covers those
> aspects of Karma for that individual (or nation, or religion) which
> are unknown and most times, unknowable by us. 
> 
> 
> 
> We are meddling and trifling with NATURE'S LAW and THAT is UNIVERSAL 
> No excuses. 
> 
> 
> 
> I am sure, needlessly we entangle ourselves with many strands of
> others' Karma and draw to our selves the hate and resentment of
> individuals - is that desirable ? What will be our future in lives
> ahead ? 
> 
> 
> 
> I think if we probe our own motives, we will discover that ours are
> (to some extent) mainly REVENGE; and our desire (?) for a prompt and
> visible redress, involves us in trying to act as though we are Karma
> for the time-being.
> 
> 
> 
> Do you think incarceration in one of our prisons (or limitations
> imposed on a country, professed religious beliefs, or tribe, etc.. is
> a social and cultural improvement? It is called a punishment --
> because freedom is restricted - 
> 
> 
> 
> But what is actually done to benefit the individual? We have shelved
> him or her for a time - so ? -- so what aspect usually emerges? 
> The Kamic - the dark side in most of those so treated. 
> 
> 
> 
> The system that has been evolved, sounds on surface, as a form of
> equity - but (to me it sounds) its only getting a nasty problem "out
> of our hair" for a while. - Our ability to truly discover
> culpability and assess a useful and compassionate redress that is
> reformative and self-educative seem to lack -- for me to see.
> 
> 
> 
> In many cases, when freedom is restored, do we not find that revenge,
> fear and punishment continue? 
> 
> -- fear of further rape, molesting, theft, extortion, etc... Most
> feel that the "debt to society" has not been truly or usefully
> discharged. Then some take "justice" into their own hands, and -- do
> worse.
> 
> 
> 
> Most believe that the former culprit's character has NOT been reformed
> by imprisonment alone. 
> 
> 
> 
> And what about those who have been wrongly (yet judicially) been
> proved NOT GUILTY at a later date? Can their time so wrongfully
> denied (in this incarnation) be restored my a monetary payment alone
> ? 
> 
> 
> 
> There is great inconsistency here?
> 
> 
> 
> What then is the "gentlest sentence that can be imposed?" WHO HAS THE
> WISDOM ?
> 
> 
> 
> At best banishment or exile might work - the isolation and hardships
> of a "no contact" kind. A deserted island ? 
> 
> 
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> 
> 
> Dallas