Pastors applaud death penalty ruling

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By BOB REEVES/Lincoln Journal Star

Local ministers who have been vocal opponents of the death penalty reacted positively to Friday’s state Supreme Court ruling that electrocution constitutes “cruel and unusual punishment.”

“I rejoice in the court’s ruling.  That’s exciting,” said the Rev. Steve Griffith, associate pastor of Saint Paul United Methodist Church.  “Of course, I realize there will be appeals.  But I would urge the Legislature to use this as an opportunity to abolish the death penalty completely.”

The Rev. Brent Johnston, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church, said he was delighted the court struck down the electric chair, but “that begs the question, is there a humane way to take life?  It’s an interesting question, but also a moral and theological question.”

Johnston said he believes in a God of mercy who does not require a life for a life. In practical terms, he said, the death penalty is unfairly administered, with the result that an innocent person may be put to death for a crime he or she did not commit.

“We don’t have the insight of God; I don’t think we should be killing the innocent,” he said.

Griffith also cited religious grounds for opposing the death penalty. “Whenever humans take a life, whether it’s a murder or an execution, we’re destroying something that God has created,” he said. “The death penalty is about revenge, and that’s just repugnant.”

“My first thought is hallelujah!” said the Rev. Rebecca Brown, pastor of East Lincoln Christian Church. “It (the electric chair) was barbaric and not befitting a great nation or a great state like Nebraska.”

Brown also said she is pleased Sen. Ernie Chambers’ bill to abolish capital punishment and replace it with a life sentence without possibility of parole has advanced to the floor of the Legislature. “That is what needs to take place,” she said.

Brown called the death penalty “state-sanctioned murder.”

“We need to protect our citizens from dangerous criminals,” but life without parole can do that without putting people to death, she said.

Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or breeves@journalstar.com.