THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE
In the New Testament, Jesus explains that Christian morality and ethics should be based upon "Love". Jesus summarises all the commandments of the Old Testament into 2 commandments: - "Jesus replied, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (The Bible, Matthew chapter 22 verses 37 - 39)
"Love" should be the principle which Christians use when they consider the morality of punishment. The Christian should think about whether giving a certain punishment is loving towards the criminal, the society and the victim. |
