In the midst of a surging pandemic that has killed 300,000 Americans plus an election that remains contested because the loser (and his idol-worshipping followers) will not accept the fact (defined as “a thing that is known or proved to…
Opposition to capital punishment reportedly growing among conservatives
Opposition to capital punishment isn’t just for liberals anymore. There’s a growing concern about the inequity and ineffectiveness of the death penalty among Republicans, independents and libertarians, according to Hannah Cox, senior national manager of Conservatives Concerned About the Death…
Trump wants to bring back firing squads, Trump supporters want to execute opponents, while support for death penalty continues to decline
While American support for the death penalty continues to decline, the Trump administration in its waning days seeks to return electrocution and firing squads as means of capital punishment. And several supporters of Donald Trump’s failed re-election bid this week…
Pope Francis calls for elimination of death penalty, and that’s only part of what he wants
On Oct. 4, Pope Francis published his third papal encyclical, Fratelli Tutti. Like all titles, Fratelli Tutti is revealing. Not only does it allude to the writings of the Pope’s namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, it also previews the themes…
The case of Rodney Reed: A call to abolish state-sanctioned lynching known as capital punishment
We celebrate the 11th-hour decision by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to stay the execution of Rodney Reed. At the same time, Reed’s case highlights the need to abolish capital punishment.
Divisions over abortion and other life and death issues: the problem is not purple churches
When faith leaders lament the difficulty of keeping Republicans and Democrats together in the same church, they miss the bigger issue.
Pastor-judge files appeal of case dismissal
An Arkansas judge barred from hearing death penalty cases after attending a rally against capital punishment in his other job as a Baptist pastor claims a three-judge panel rushed to judgment when it dismissed his lawsuit and wants a rehearing…
Pastor/judge can sue justices, but not state Supreme Court, judge rules
A federal judge ruled April 12 that an Arkansas judge who also serves as pastor of a Baptist church can sue justices of the state Supreme Court — though not the court itself — for removing him from death penalty cases because of his religious belief that capital punishment is immoral.
Second judge challenges secrecy of drugs used in capital punishment
A second Arkansas judge has ruled the state must reveal more information about drugs used in lethal injections for capital punishment. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Mackie Pierce ruled Sept. 19 that officials must disclose the labels on its new supply…