Joycey doesn't explain things because she's apparently incapable of writing whole paragraphs.

And God frequently does take innocent life. Makes you feel good about God, doesn't it?

Wow, that would make him a for-real dlckhead.

Bob, here are some OT biblical commands that instruct you to employ the death penalty -- "Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death." (Exodus 21:15) "All who curse their father or mother must be put to death. They are guilty of a capital offense." (Leviticus 20:9) "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death." (Leviticus 20:10) "But if this charge is true [that she wasn't a virgin on her wedding night], and evidence of the girls virginity is not found, they shall bring the girl to the entrance of her fathers house and there her townsman shall stone her to death" (Deuteronomy 22:20-21) Bob, I don't recommend trying to follow everything in the OT.

None of us is innocent.

Bob502, I appreciate your well-crafted response, but we're obviously not going to agree and I haven't the time to debate all afternoon. I will make this point -- if you're going to rely upon the Old Testament for judicial directives, you're in a swamp. Mike Adams says rapists should be executed. But the Bible says (Deuteronomy 22: 28-29) "If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay her father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives."

Perry, the only thing I said that can't easily be shown true is the #6 point. I invited you earlier to discuss that one with me. You did not answer.

bird, My "own purpose" is simple. I want to see less crime (which, happily, has been the trend over the past 20 years) and a more efficient, less costly judicial system. I'm a fiscal conservative, and spending money in ways that don't bring positive results offends me. I try to make judgments based on empirical evidence, not my feelings. I'd provide you with more data, but you don't seem willing to consider it, so I won't waste my time.

Unless you are suffering serious mental illness or a convicted felon, why are universal background checks of such concern?

:-)

Flaming, ironic, isn't it, that contrarian viewpoints are apparently being deleted from beneath a column written by a guy who frequently argues for greater freedom of expression on college campuses?