On Saturday it was 2 years since the release, on compassionate grounds, of Abdelbasset al Megrahi, the only person so far convicted of the Lockerbie bombing.
I posted earlier on this in 2009, here and here.
I hope all Christians have strong convictions about compassion. Has al Megrahi survived longer than expected - yes. By what measure of compassion does this disappoint us?
Given the information available to the Scottish Government at the time I remain convinced they were right to release al Megrahi. And if similar circumstance arise in future I hope similar compassion will be shown.
Our society is judged by the way we treat our convits, and also by the values of our convictions. Better to be judged for compassion than a lack of compassion.
Showing posts with label Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi. Show all posts
Monday, 22 August 2011
Monday, 24 August 2009
Justice and Compassion 2
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Justice and Compassion
Earlier today the Scottish Government agreed to the compassionate release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, previously convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. I thought I would post some brief thoughts on this.
1. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice;
not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Jer 10:24.
I'm not sure that justice and anger go well together. We rejoice in this prayer of Jeremiah's, do we then choose to live in anger rather than justice?
2. Why is the statue of justice blindfolded? To be just, justice must be impartial. There is an element of penalty in all sentencing, but only an element. Is the principle purpose of sentencing punishment? Is there not another purpose served? I'm not comfortable with the wishes of victims of crime for retribution having a substantial claim over the course of justice.
3. Compassion is not weakness. Compassion is a strong, motivating emotion. We do well to heed the claims of compassion.
4. I really don't like being lectured by American politicians on justice. If they had captures Mr Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, no doubt he would have been detained without trial, incarcerated in a prison wearing an orange jump suit and being regularly tortured.
5. We can't only have compassion on high profile prisonners who are Lybian. The claims of compassion extend to all in our prisons where need arises.
6. No 2 above does not seek to diminish the pain experienced by victims of crime, rather we should live in a society where justice is prized and compassion for all is practiced.
1. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice;
not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Jer 10:24.
I'm not sure that justice and anger go well together. We rejoice in this prayer of Jeremiah's, do we then choose to live in anger rather than justice?
2. Why is the statue of justice blindfolded? To be just, justice must be impartial. There is an element of penalty in all sentencing, but only an element. Is the principle purpose of sentencing punishment? Is there not another purpose served? I'm not comfortable with the wishes of victims of crime for retribution having a substantial claim over the course of justice.
3. Compassion is not weakness. Compassion is a strong, motivating emotion. We do well to heed the claims of compassion.
4. I really don't like being lectured by American politicians on justice. If they had captures Mr Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, no doubt he would have been detained without trial, incarcerated in a prison wearing an orange jump suit and being regularly tortured.
5. We can't only have compassion on high profile prisonners who are Lybian. The claims of compassion extend to all in our prisons where need arises.
6. No 2 above does not seek to diminish the pain experienced by victims of crime, rather we should live in a society where justice is prized and compassion for all is practiced.
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