Firing Sqads?

[Akita Suggagaki]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/us/politics/trump-firing-squad-executions-death-penalty.html

Trump Administration Approves Firing Squad Executions for Death Penalty​

Why not chop off heads?

 

[GoldenBoy89]

From the “pro life” party.

 

[DaisyDay]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/us/politics/trump-firing-squad-executions-death-penalty.html

Trump Administration Approves Firing Squad Executions for Death Penalty​

Why not chop off heads?

Guillotine's not so bad albeit a bit French.

Gas chambers replaced by a sort of reverse gas mask - the mask forces the gas in rather than keeping it out, like at the dentist's office.

Seriously, why not fentanyl? It's cheap as heck and readily available. I mean, if you have to have a death penalty, to which I am opposed.

 

[essentialsaltes]

I would choose it, if I were in such a position.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/us/politics/trump-firing-squad-executions-death-penalty.html

Trump Administration Approves Firing Squad Executions for Death Penalty​

Why not chop off heads?

Beyond what this administration sanctions, I am continually amazed at how many Christians think capital punishment is God's Will. Its not.
Remember, Jesus Christ of Nazareth suffered capital punishment Himself.

Be blessed.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Beyond what this administration sanctions, I am continually amazed at how many Christians think capital punishment is God's Will. Its not.

Be blessed.

It obviously is God's Will, however fortunate or unfortunate that is. It was true in A.D. 70, it's going to be true in the future as well.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

It obviously is God's Will, however fortunate or unfortunate that is. It was true in A.D. 70, it's going to be true in the future as well.

The judgment of A.D. 70 represents direct Divine will against a nation that rejected the Messiah.This is in total contrast to capital punishment under man’s flesh-driven court systems, which lack divine insight and are prone to corruption or error.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

The judgment of A.D. 70 represents direct Divine will against a nation that rejected the Messiah.This is in total contrast to capital punishment under man’s flesh-driven court systems, which lack divine insight and are prone to corruption or error.

Well, we still have to deal with what Paul said in Romans 13 and by implication, in other parts of Scripture. So, while I feel your angst on the topic because I don't want to see anyone get final judgment anymore than you do, my reading of the Bible is what it is.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Well, we still have to deal with what Paul said in Romans 13 and by implication, in other parts of Scripture. So, while I feel your angst on the topic because I don't want to see anyone get final judgment anymore than you do, my reading of the Bible is what it is.

Paul was strategic. His instructions were a survival tactic for a vulnerable, early church living under the watchful eye of a paranoid Roman state, intended to prevent unnecessary martyrdom. There is a vast difference between Paul advising Christians to stay off the government's radar and the state claiming it has the same righteous authority as God to take a human life.
Think about it.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Paul was strategic. His instructions were a survival tactic for a vulnerable, early church living under the watchful eye of a paranoid Roman state, intended to prevent unnecessary martyrdom. There is a vast difference between Paul advising Christians to stay off the government's radar and the state claiming it has the same righteous authority as God to take a human life.
Think about it.

Thanks for sharing!

What does the concept of "the Government does not bear the sword in vain" seem to mean to you, Maria?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

What does the concept of "the Government does not bear the sword in vain" seem to mean to you, Maria?

Common sense tells me that many, many governments bare the sword in vain. There is a bigger picture here.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Common sense tells me that many, many governments bare the sword in vain. There is a bigger picture here.

And how does this statement qualify as solid exegesis for what Paul states about "not baring the sword in vain"?

You're statement above is a red-herring. It's a fallacy and a non-answer, and one can't simply allude to something called "common sense" by which to read and interpret the Bible in this case.

But, nevertheless, you seem to be implying that you think there is a larger context to what Paul stated? What is that larger context?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

What is that larger context?

Do you recall what Peter said about Paul? I take this to mean he speaks " between the lines". We really must place ourselves in their shoes. First century Jerusalem coupled with the teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I'm not here to convince you.This is just what I am convinced of.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Pommer]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/us/politics/trump-firing-squad-executions-death-penalty.html

Trump Administration Approves Firing Squad Executions for Death Penalty​

Why not chop off heads?

Maybe an AI controlled “kill bot” (or three)?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Do you recall what Peter said about Paul?

You mean what we hope Peter said about Paul in Peter's second letter.

I take this to mean he speaks " between the lines". We really must place ourselves in their shoes. First century Jerusalem coupled with the teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I'm not here to convince you.This is just what I am convinced of.

No, that's you imputing to Paul some quality in his speech that may or may not actually be present and by which you're applying an unjustified assumption imported from another biblical voice.

Try harder, Maria! I know you can do it! You and I don't disagree about everything.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Maria Billingsley]

You mean what we hope Peter said about Paul in Peter's second letter.

No, that's you imputing to Paul some quality in his speech that may or may not actually be present and by which you're applying an unjustified assumption imported from another biblical voice.

Try harder, Maria! I know you can do it! You and I don't disagree about everything.

No need to try harder in vain. We see this differently.
Be blessed.

 

[mourningdove~]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/us/politics/trump-firing-squad-executions-death-penalty.html

Trump Administration Approves Firing Squad Executions for Death Penalty​

Some people actually prefer dying by firing squad.

AI Overview

Yes, some death row inmates prefer firing squads over other methods like lethal injection or the electric chair, viewing it as a faster, more reliable, and less painful death. It is considered to have a lower risk of "botched" executions compared to the multi-drug protocols used in lethal injections, which can cause intense, prolonged suffering.

Reasons for the Preference:

• Reduced Suffering: Supporters and some legal experts, including US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, have argued that a firing squad can be nearly instantaneous and, therefore, more humane.
• Reliability: The method has had no recorded botched executions in the modern era in the U.S., whereas lethal injections have faced problems, including drug shortages and complications.
• Avoiding "Torturous" Death: Some inmates fear that alternatives, particularly the electric chair or botched lethal injections, would result in a slower, more painful death.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

While I'm not a huge fan of the death penalty when carried about by the state, if the person is given a choice and they pick that method, so be it I guess...

Actually, some states still do have it on the books as an option

What States Still Use the Firing Squad?

Five states currently authorize firing squad executions, and their use is growing as lethal injection drug shortages push lawmakers toward older methods.

legalclarity.org

 

[ThatRobGuy]

From the “pro life” party.

While I'm not in the "pro life" camp...

In fairness to them, they do draw a distinction between "innocent life" vs. "life of a serial killer"

I don't know that juxtaposing capital punishment with abortion policy is a particularly useful approach for either side of the fence (at least not in any way that will resonate with anyone on the opposing side)

And I think most people draw some sort of distinction in that regard especially for heinous acts. For example, when the authorization was given to kill Osama Bin Laden, 99.9% of people in the US didn't particularly have huge moral qualms with that.

 

[FireDragon76]

From the “pro life” party.

Abortion was and is a manufactured issue for most non-Catholics in the conservative movement in the US. It doesn't reflect a consistent ethic, it reflects cultural symbolism around reproduction and gender roles.