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As the fifth commandment of the Catholic Faith stands, "thou shall not kill."

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Whether in any form or kind, killing is and will never be justifiable, as per the Church.

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Considering such with the recent attempt of reinstating the Death Penalty, spearheaded by incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, of course, brings countless arguments and discussions.

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In fact, 219 voted in favor of the Death Penalty Bill when it was debated in the Congress.

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And the Church begs to disagree.

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Being pro-life (or merely being a part of the nation) actually entitles the religious institution to make its point worthy. 

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The Catholic faith believes that every life is valuable. Regardless of your status in life, your gender, your skin color, etc., all humans are given the same, exact right to live – hence, the idea of equality. It doesn't matter if you are a politician, a movie star, or a drug pusher. We all own the chance to live and make the most out of our stay here; none to spare.

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The most dominant religion in the country also affirms the idea of entitlement. Basically, one cannot simply take away what the Creator has given. Well, in this context, the life of an individual. It is Him and only Him that have the right to do so. 

 

Catholics have also been raised into a very 'forgiving' atmosphere, so to speak. In which, can be attested by the one of the sacraments – reconciliation. Thus, this cements the idea of second chances, and perhaps, allowances to change and transform from the bad to good.

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We can go on and on and on about the beliefs and standpoints of the Catholic Church, and why it is pro-life. However, up to what extent are we going to back up the ideals of our religion?

Let us say, a man raped a teenager; and to put an even deeper gravity, let us assume that was actually his daughter that he victimized.

Are we still going to rely on the salvation of our faith on this one? Or better yet, wait for the "Final Judgment."

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I guess this is where the Death Penalty loyalists mark their spot. Some crimes are just way too heinous and inhumane that the convicted needs more than the suggested years in jail.

Though, thinking through it, will the death of the suspect mend the lives affected by the said act? If we do take away his or her [suspect] life, will it revive, or remove the trauma off the victim? Will it be as satisfying enough?

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I believe not.

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And besides, there is a greater need to fix the justice system in the country more than anything else first.

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Hypothetically, if capital punishment will be implemented, the judiciary end of the government will be bearing a lot of pressure to be accurate in terms of investigations of every single case.

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We are talking about life here. One small error can result into a spared future.

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Is the Sacrament of Reconciliation still going to apply here then?

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Or is the concept of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth pretty much the way to go in the current society today?

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Ergo, it is more of the intertwining and ironic extremities of morality and justice.

Game Changer?

BY APEC STA. ANA

© 2017 Metropoline News| All Rights Reserved

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