As I watched Larry King on CNN cover the story tonight while the execution was being carried out, I was troubled by what one of the victim's family members had to say. Keep in mind, my family member was not a victim so perhaps I am speaking out of turn but this is what completely blew me away. After Muhammad was dead, Larry asked the brother of one of the victims how he felt about the whole situation and made note of the fact that Muhammad left behind family, including his own children and how terrible this whole ordeal must be for them as well. Are you ready? This is what floored me. The victim's brother then says that his sister also left behind a family and children because of this senseless act and that he has absolutely no sympathy for Muhammad's family now that he is dead.
Whether or not you believe that he deserved to die, whether or not you believe that justice has been served, how could you not have at least an ounce of sympathy for the children who have had to deal with the fact that their father has done something so horrific and that now he is dead?
I'd like to believe that God would want me to hand my anger up to Him and to try to find at least in some small fashion some peace in my heart after all of the time that has passed since these terrible murders. Am I completely off track here? Do I not have the right to speak up until my daughter is dead? Or my mother? Or my wife? Could I find peace if I were in the same situation? I hope I never have to find out.
That's a tough debate. On one hand I agree, it's not MY decision what happens to people so heinous, but on another there has to be a standard; a punishment. Maybe not so much for them, but as an example to keep others from doing the same.
ReplyDeleteI remember those days well. I thanked God at that time that I didn't live in that area! I just couldn't imagine.
But I do have an award for you at my site. Please do come by and retrieve it.
:-)
Very nice of you Nancy. Thank you very much, it means a lot coming from a great writer like yourself.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, yes we should forgive and have sympathy. On the other, what would he have taught his children? Maybe they are better off without him.
ReplyDeleteI think it was an insensitive question. I would hope that, in truth, the families of the victims don't hold it against the murderer's children. Surely not! But it's hard to have that kind of clarity when you are so heartbroken by a senseless act. I say shame on the reporter. And, I also think that it says a lot about your generosity and spirit that you would at least try to find some peace in your heart.
ReplyDeleteI'm unfortunately torn on the issue of the death penalty. There are some seriously horrible people, totally sound in mind and body, who have done senseless things to torture and kill people who are otherwise innocent and don't deserve the death they were dealt. When I think of a high school girl on her way home from school, acting like she has every other day but she doesn't know she's being stalked by a perverse animal who is going to rape and kill her, I want that man to die. I want him to die because I wouldn't want my own daughter to die the way that that high school girl will. At the same time, an eye for an eye doesn't solve the larger problem. It only temporarily provides a sense of vindication for those who suffered the ultimate loss. I don't know the answer. But I know what I would want to happen if I was in the shoes of the victim's family.
ReplyDeleteI agree w/ Dream. It was an insensitive, and stupid (me), question.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm particularly irritated w/ the media in today's society anyway. We don't need to know EVERYTHING. We (the public) don't have a RIGHT to know everything. The families of the victims and the family of the murderer deserve privacy to mourn their losses. They shouldn't have to make the decision of "Do I talk to the press?" because the press should leave them alone.
But, that's just my opinion. : )
The whole situation is very sad. Too not have compassion for the perpetrator's family is beyond my comprehension. To me they are just as much victims as anybody else. I have to believe that they were not aware of his actions and were just as appalled as the rest of the nation, if not more.
ReplyDeleteI believe there has to be a consequence for actions taken. If there are not consequences then the world would be rampant with evil. Even more than it is now.
ReplyDeleteI also do not like reporters. the ask questions that will start controversy. That is their job. Whether it is true or not. They ask stupid questions and report to the general public if we are stupid. We are not stupid. I do not watch the news.
I feel sorry for the victim's brother that has no sympathy for Muhammad's family. That family will forever live under the cloud of what Muhammad did. They are innocent bystanders just like the victim's family. May God give him the peace he needs one day.