Clergy United Against the Death Penalty: An Introduction & Invitation to Support Not too long ago, I sat down with a young man on death row. I didn’t know anything about the guy. This was not uncommon for me…as I had been ministering death row for a long time…and often engaged inmates that I’d never met before. After exchanging initial pleasantries, I went on a rant about how I couldn’t believe that all these employees would either just... Read more
April 30, 2022 A Tale of Two Pictures: An Interaction with Carman Deck, Scheduled to Be Executed in Missouri on May 3, 2022 For years, I believed that people don’t change. Until, I started to change. Now, I know people change. In what can be described as an act of pure evil, Carman Deck brutally slaughtered James and Zelma Long of De Soto, Missouri. Of this, there is no doubt. In fact, Deck has... Read more
The Tragedy of Carl Buntion: Dr. Barbara Laubenthal & The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood on The Movement to Abolish the Death Penalty, Melissa Lucio & Indifference to an Execution On June 27, 1990, Carl Buntion killed of Houston Police Officer James Irby. There is no denying this fact. For his crime, Buntion was sentenced to death. After waiting almost 32 years in prison, Buntion was executed. This is a short analysis by Buntion’s dear friend, Dr. Barbara Laubenthal... Read more
Dear Gov. Greg Abbott: An Open Letter on the Guilt & Innocence of Melissa Lucio Dear Gov. Abbott. Melissa Lucio’s daughter was named Mariah. In the midst of all of the media attention around this case, that name is probably the easiest name to forget. The past few days have made me realize that advocacy…my advocacy…on behalf of Melissa Lucio would benefit from honesty about the nuances that exist in this case. You see, there are... Read more
Lamentations: On Carl Buntion & Oscar Smith Lamentations is a series of short reflections derived from a reoccurring conversation that takes place before every scheduled execution in the United States between prominent abolitionists Death Penalty Action Executive Director Abraham Bonowitz and Convener of Clergy United Against the Death Penalty The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood. Death row is quickly becoming a nursing home. Don’t believe it? Think about the two guys who are facing execution today. Carl Buntion... Read more
The Death of Certainty and The Resurrection of Wonder: A Short Easter Homily The room was electric with anticipation. Every eye was glued to the stage. Everything but the speaker was a waste of time. We were about to hear one of the greatest liberal theologians of all time. Finally, he arose. I couldn’t believe how old he was. The pictures made him look so young. I guess that’s a trick of publishing. Keep recycling an old picture... Read more
SAVE MELISSA LUCIO!!!/SIGN THE PETITION!!!: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/melissa-lucio-innocent-woman-on-death-row-in-texas-2?source=direct_link National Weekend of Prayer for Melissa Lucio: The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood This is Reverend Dr. Jeff Hood. I’m a long-time organizer against the death penalty, and I am a faith advisor, spiritual advisor on death row in Texas. As we enter into some of the most holy days on the Christian calendar, we are reminded of a story of death and resurrection. We are reminded of a story of injustice. You... Read more
Melissa Lucio, Texas and Life on Good Friday Do you remember? Word spread quickly. The crime was unspeakable. The reward for his capture was great. The government was desperate to get him off the streets. Nobody knew what he was capable of next. Considering him to be exceedingly dangerous, law enforcement planned carefully. For some time, they’d practiced and discussed the take. When the moment arrived, one of the fugitive’s confidantes revealed his location. As authorities... Read more
Historia Divina. I created Historia Divina to be a mystical revelation at the juxtaposition of history, Christ and self. Since Christ has existed throughout all of history, it makes sense that one would be able to find Christ in history. Thus, Historia Divina is the process of engaging Christ with the expectation that Christ will guide you to deeper historical and spiritual truths. It is imperative to remember that this process guides you into the account rather than just... Read more
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