The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission | Just Justice | Comments http://erlc.com/ This feed provides all comments on "Just Justice." en web-master@erlc.com ℗ & © 2008 ERLC Comment 1 http://erlc.com/article/just-justice#comment1 http://erlc.com/article/just-justice#comment1 I really enjoyed this article.  I am a Christian; Christ must be my King, my Country, and my Everlasting Vision.  That said, there is only one type of truth, and that is what really exists, what really happened, and like our Savior, truth doesn’t change to fit the moment.  It remains. 
I applaud these convictions where innocents are freed.  They receive a form of grace most of us don’t in that, at least for this one particular sin, they are innocent. I am not innocent, forgiven yes, but not innocent. What we all deserve is hell, but thru the love of Christ, I received grace. Grace and not justice.  Having then received Grace, how can we stand by idly in the face of any injustice?  Who wants to be the one who could have stopped a wrong and didn’t?  None can argue with the righteous truth of Dr. King’s words, I only hope I will always perceive the truth and act upon it.  Spread the Gospel first, and support liberty always.  (2 Cor 3:17)

]]> Wed, 16 May 2007 08:50:49 CST Comment 2 http://erlc.com/article/just-justice#comment2 http://erlc.com/article/just-justice#comment2 I think you forgot to tell us the point of your article.  As a pastor visiting in the local jail--I am frustrated because of the way we process people with apparently more concern to conviction ratios than to justice.  On the other hand, I am frustrated because the majority of the people I work with waiting trial routinely lie to me in an attempt to get me to intervene for them.  It seems to me we need to begin a debate about the changing a correction system that creates more career criminals than rehabilitated offenders.  When I work with offenders returning to society, I am amazed at the hurdles both in the legal system and in society that discourage responsible behavior.

]]> Thu, 17 May 2007 06:59:00 CST Comment 3 http://erlc.com/article/just-justice#comment3 http://erlc.com/article/just-justice#comment3 I agree with Charlie.  The article didn’t seem to say much to me… really, just “dont tolerate injustice.” I’m not sure who needs to hear this message, or what I’m supposed to do about injustice.  I’ve never really been a big fan of injustice, and I like Martin Luther King, Jr., but honestly, who is the intended audience for this?  Usually all the articles I see up here are very opinionated (a little too opinionated, in my opinion, that is), but I think I almost prefer those articles to this.  Where’s the debate at?  If you want some brownie points, you got ‘em, but next time, I expect some controversy.

]]> Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:12:11 CST Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:36:37 CST Comment 4 http://erlc.com/article/just-justice#comment4 http://erlc.com/article/just-justice#comment4 The chronic problems of our legal system are not likely to be changed from within. Police, lawyers, prosecutors, public and private prisons all benefit from the status quo.

We currently have 2 million prisoners and about 5 million citizens “under supervison” this is an unprecendented number for any “free” country at any time of recent history.

Most countries have abandoned the plea bargain system as unfair--a system which the US uses with wild abandon. Anywhere from 80-95% of cases are settled by plea bargain--not by going to court for a fair trial. Why do citizens overwhelmingly choose the plea bargain? because to go to court would add several additional charges and 10 or 20 years to their potential punishment time. In other words going to trial in itself is potentially excessively punitive.
Since most people involved in the legal system are poor and disenfranchised, this system will not be changed anytime soon unless people of conscience-outside the system-take action.

]]> Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:36:37 CST