"But I think we should impose those consequences with sorrow rather than with gleeful judgment, knowing that the person we’re locking behind bars (for instance) is still one of God’s precious children."
This is false. There is a huge difference between being a "creation" of God, which we all are, and being a "child" of God, which only those who accept, embrace, and worship him are. Yes, there are bad people, and I can name several, but no one is irredeemable, at least until they perish, and the judgment. Please learn the differences. It is essential Christian doctrine.
Interesting, and thanks for commenting! I haven't come across this distinction ("creation" of God vs "child" of God), could you point me to a resource where I can learn more about it?
It is not compassion to ask an oak to grow in salt water like a mangrove. They are equal in God's sight, but not the same. It is not compassion to treat a fish and a dog and a crow as if they are the same. They are equal in God's sight, but not the same. Blank slatism is not compassion, it is a form of self harm. Humans are equal in God's sight, but not equal in our moral capacity.
There are people without conscience. They are dangerous. Their brain did not form properly and that cannot currently be fixed. You can see it in brain scans when they are available. Pretending it can be changed is not compassion. They are equal in God's sight, but not the same. Treating Raider aka BTK, John Wayne Gacey, or Gary Heidnik like an alcoholic is not compassion. They are not the same. The alcoholic can change their behavior, difficult though it may be. These others are like the oak in salt water, they can not. Their brain is lacking the prefrontal cortex (and ACC, anterior insula, etc) to do what is needed. This is not a metaphor, or an exaggeration. It is not compassionate to them, to yourself, nor to society to pretend otherwise. It is delusional to the point of self harm.
With that said, terms like sociopath and psychopath are tossed around too widely. People who absolutely deserve a second chance are denied it. Daryl Davis is one of the greatest living proofs that people can be redeemed. The story accompanying the album Night Castle by Trans Siberian Orchestra is fictional, yet deeply embodies your point. But there are people who can not yet be helped. We still have a ways to go before we know how to help everyone. I truly hope one day we can figure out how to fix and undeveloped brain. Until then, It is wise to remember and recognize our limits, not to deny them.
"But I think we should impose those consequences with sorrow rather than with gleeful judgment, knowing that the person we’re locking behind bars (for instance) is still one of God’s precious children."
This is false. There is a huge difference between being a "creation" of God, which we all are, and being a "child" of God, which only those who accept, embrace, and worship him are. Yes, there are bad people, and I can name several, but no one is irredeemable, at least until they perish, and the judgment. Please learn the differences. It is essential Christian doctrine.
Interesting, and thanks for commenting! I haven't come across this distinction ("creation" of God vs "child" of God), could you point me to a resource where I can learn more about it?
It is not compassion to ask an oak to grow in salt water like a mangrove. They are equal in God's sight, but not the same. It is not compassion to treat a fish and a dog and a crow as if they are the same. They are equal in God's sight, but not the same. Blank slatism is not compassion, it is a form of self harm. Humans are equal in God's sight, but not equal in our moral capacity.
There are people without conscience. They are dangerous. Their brain did not form properly and that cannot currently be fixed. You can see it in brain scans when they are available. Pretending it can be changed is not compassion. They are equal in God's sight, but not the same. Treating Raider aka BTK, John Wayne Gacey, or Gary Heidnik like an alcoholic is not compassion. They are not the same. The alcoholic can change their behavior, difficult though it may be. These others are like the oak in salt water, they can not. Their brain is lacking the prefrontal cortex (and ACC, anterior insula, etc) to do what is needed. This is not a metaphor, or an exaggeration. It is not compassionate to them, to yourself, nor to society to pretend otherwise. It is delusional to the point of self harm.
With that said, terms like sociopath and psychopath are tossed around too widely. People who absolutely deserve a second chance are denied it. Daryl Davis is one of the greatest living proofs that people can be redeemed. The story accompanying the album Night Castle by Trans Siberian Orchestra is fictional, yet deeply embodies your point. But there are people who can not yet be helped. We still have a ways to go before we know how to help everyone. I truly hope one day we can figure out how to fix and undeveloped brain. Until then, It is wise to remember and recognize our limits, not to deny them.