Dear Gilbert,
First let us contextualize your question: this is a discussion on your
comparison of the infamous INQUISITION with mediaval MEDICAL PRACTICES, in
order to JUSTIFY the former. Dr. Santosh Helkar, had rightly challenged this
odious comaparison and I had supported his view.
If a 30 year male breaks into my home, assaults a member of my family and
decamps with jewellery, then the correct English and legal word for it is
ROBBERY, not STEALING. Stealing is when the act is done UNKNOWN to the other.
My personal choices as punishment for the Robber would depend on the reason for
the robbery, the circumstances and the robber's state of mind at the time of
the act. Some men get boistrous when drunk and are repentent when sober. The
problem is alcoholism, not criminal bent of mind. It would meet my ends of
justice if this man a] returns the robbed jewellery, b] apologises to the
person he assaulted and c] undergoes a rehab treatment for alcololism in a
recognised rehab facility. No other punishment is needed as far as I am
concerned. If he has confessed his crime, repentence cannot be far behind. I
would go by the judgement of the lady judge in Australia while sentencing a
teenager for hacking into international computer system. this man may have a
great career ahead ...like Saul turned Paul. [See Acts 9:1 ff]
If the man is a seasoned criminal, with a history of crime, his past actions
and his psycholigical profile will need to be considered before determining
what needs to be done. Just imprisonment, rigorous or simple, solves nothing
....and one gains nothing from the loss of a man who could have been someone's
son, brother, father instead of just being in jail.
Of course, If I was to seem this man immediately after the assualt, I might
want to hammer the daylights out of him. That would be my anger at work, not a
calculated means of correcting the wrong. The Grand Judges of the Inquisition
had no cause for anger. They went about their work methodically over a lng
period of time. Worst of all, they blasphemed Jesus Christ who died on the
cross for our sins ...when actually he should have crucified Judas for
betraying him, Peter for denying him and abused his desciples for falling
asleep while he was suffering and praying in the Garden of Olives.
The Women's rights and other organisations wanted the five boys who were
accused of raping an Art College student to be castrated. It was later found
that the girl was not raped at all. Several priests in USA and now in Australia
have been proven to have molested young boys and girls who were entrusted in
their care. One case that has been highlighted is of one priest RAPING TWO
SISTERS REPEATEDLY WHEN THEY WERE STILL CHILDREN in Australia. The World Youth
Day has only served to bring that in deep focus. Who would blame the people if
they thought like the Women's groups in Goa? What would YOU suggest as the
appropriate punishment for those proven to have molested or raped or both in
this context??? Would YOU send your recommendation in writing to the Pope, the
guardian of the Christian values on Earth? Would YOU justify an Inquisition of
the Clergy the world over, including your current parish? Inquisition was
justified as a means to maintain the
PURITY of belief. It seems to be needed now more than then.
It is a pity that Dr. Santosh Helekar, a professed atheist/agnostic
rationalist, should actually bring home the point of what is essentially a
CHRISTian belief:REPENTENCE , not punishment, as the first option. No one can
claim to be Christian and justify Inquisition at the same time. That is akin to
storing ice-cubes in Hell.
Mog asundi.
Miguel
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:54:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: Gilbert Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [Goanet] Evaluating the Past
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi Miguel,
So let me ask your (and anybody else who would like to volunteer their)
opinion. This is a special invitation to attorneys and those in the
law-and-order (police) field.
A 30 year old male robber breaks into your home. He steals the jewelry,
physically assaults a member of your family and flees.? The robber is caught
and confesses to the crime. His guilt is beyond doubt.
What would be your suggestions as to the appropriate punishment for this
robber? Please provide the punishment options in decreasing order of
preference.? No long explanations needed.? This is not a trick question and the
answers need not be tricky or complicated.
?
Thanks in anticipation to you (and others) for your cooperation.
Regards, GL
?
?
------------- Miguel Braganza
"But go and learn what it means 'I will have mercy and not sacrifice'; for I
have not come to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance." Matthew
9:13 New Testament .... Mog asundi. Miguel
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