The National Association of Evangelicals/Executioners

For years, I’ve heard rumors that the National Association of Evangelicals was planning to change their stance on the death penalty. When I heard that major evangelical figures were lobbying the organization to move to abolition, I grew more and more excited. Yesterday, I saw evangelical writer Jonathan Merritt’s post, “This is HUGE news on #deathpenalty from America’s largest evangelical Christian body.” I knew this was the statement I’d been waiting on. Opening the link, I was thankful until I realized what the statement actually said. Having been for the death penalty since the early 1970s, the National Association of Evangelicals had now decided to take a moderate stance that allows for multiple legitimate views on the subject. In a day in which the evil nature of the death penalty is beyond obvious based on socioeconomics, systemic injustices, moral concerns, cost and a whole host of other factors, the National Association of Evangelicals continues to teach that one can legitimately follow Jesus and love your neighbor as yourself by executing them. In the name of Jesus… What the fuck? Let us remember that the greatest promulgators of evil are those who stand aside in times of murder. For this bullshit attempt at relevant moderation, the National Association of Evangelicals should be called the National Association of Executioners.

Amen.

Read the Full Statement at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2015/october/evangelicals-divided-death-penalty-nae-capital-punishment.html