LETTERS: GOD'S DIRECTIVE ON PUNISHMENT STILL STANDS

To the editor:

A recent letter and Speak Out comment criticized the Rev. David Dissen for his letter defending capital punishment. I agree fully with the pastor in his quoting of Scripture in defense of capital punishment.

If only the poor are executed, that's the fault of our system, and that should be corrected so there's justice for all.

However, this does not excuse doing away with capital punishment. God's directive stands: "Whoso taketh the sword shall perish with the sword," and "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." All of this is through the orderly system of civil government.

May I also add that from the time of conviction to the time of execution is ample time for a condemned person to reflect on his crime and to turn to God in repentance. An example is the penitent criminal on the cross whom Christ forgave in his last moment of life.

LEONARD A. KUEHNERT

Altenburg, Mo.