Death penalty opposition

“Our Social Principles are eloquent about the sanctity of human life and how capital punishment undermines our society’s values.” – Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones

Read “Why I oppose capital punishment” by Bishop Jones at http://www.kansaseast.org/blogs/detail/73.

Social Principles, United Methodist Book of Discipline, ¶164G:
 
We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person’s life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.

Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty
The Kansas East Conference Board of Church and Society is a partner in the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty.  

Coalition chairperson Donna Schneweis invites Kansas faith leaders to take action by writing to state officials, encouraging the abolition of the death penality in Kansas: 

Dear Kansas Clergy and Lay Leaders,
The 2011 Kansas Legislature will be considering legislation to abolish the state's death penalty and replace it with life without parole. In 2010, the abolition bill reached the Senate floor. A vigorous debate was held. The Senate tied in the vote, 20-20, so the bill did not advance to the House of Representatives. New abolition legislation is planned for 2011.
 
Death Penalty abolition could happen in our state because of the convergence of three key variables:

  1. Strong moral opposition to the death penalty among many people of faith;
  2. A growing list of mistakes and practical problems with the Kansas death penalty;
  3. The real cost of the death penalty and how that impacts the ability to fund other vitally needed state programs.

These three variables could combine to provide the majority legislative support for abolition IF we can show that the people "back home" want it also.
 
The Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty is a statewide coalition of organizations and individuals who oppose the death penalty. We are politically non-partisan. Our membership includes persons who have lost loved ones to homicide as well as persons from many professional backgrounds. The faith traditions of our members are diverse also. 

KCADP is actively working to help achieve abolition. That is why we invite you, a Kansas clergy or lay leader, to sign onto a public letter of support for abolition. The death penalty sends a strong message that violence is the answer to our problems and that people are disposable. As faith leaders, your public witness calls society to remember that violence only begets more violence and that God is the author of all life. These are important messages for our legislators to hear. 
 
The 2011 Letter will be given to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, as well as members of the House and Senate, to show that the religious leaders of Kansas support ending the death penalty. 

Also, for those of you who signed the 2009 or 2010 letters, we ask that you send us an e-mail indicating if you wish to sign the 2011 Letter also. We do not want to assume your intentions vis a vis the 2011 Letter.
 
If you would like to sign onto the letter, send an e-mail indicating that to Donna Schneweis, chairperson of the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty, at kcadp_coordinator@att.net. In your e-mail, include:

  • Name and title
  • Faith community
  • City

The letter also may be printed, signed and mailed to KCADP, attn: Donna, P.O. Box 2065, Topeka, KS 66601.

Download a copy of the 2011 Letter HERE.

Questions may be directed to kcadp_coordinator@att.net or 785-271-1688.
 
Please join us in urging our state’s leaders to abolish the use of capital punishment in Kansas.
 
Sincerely,
Donna Schneweis, KCADP chairperson