Quote Originally Posted by Bat-Man View Post
I think I see what you're saying, and I agree with what I think is your point.

Let's play it out as it might happen in real life, to see if we still agree.

Suppose we're both talking to a man and we're both he sure knows something about an imminent terrorist strike and that we're both also sure that if you can get him to talk about what he knows we would then be able to save the lives of others.

Now suppose that he's admitted that he knows something that would save those people and you've tried your very best to be nice and respectful to him as a person while trying to help him see that he can help to save those people, and yet he still refuses to tell you anything that would save those people because he really wants them to suffer.

Me: " Okay. It's all on your head, now. I've done all that I can do, and now it's in the hands of God who will hold you responsible for the suffering that you could have helped to prevent."

You: ???
Sure. I like your response. I'd go with pretty much the same - though also it should be said that criminal punishment may be appropriate if guilt can be proven using the normal methods in a court of law / war crimes tribunal.

Also, a brief comment that the scenario you outline, the "ticking time bomb" scenario, exists only on TV. In educating myself about real interrogation scenarios, I have found interrogators say that if they can get a suspect to talk about anything (beyond Name, Rank, and Number), they will talk about everything.

I accept the fact that there is only so much I can do to help someone, and I believe the best thing that I can do is to be a positive influence for good.
Yes, I agree.

We agree, again.

I like hearing this stuff, too... although I'd still go on without your approval.
Good for you. You don't need my approval to follow the Truth.

I believe God forgives everyone who repents, and that a person who repents tries to repair the damages that he, or she, has caused, as much as possible.

Going to jail, in and of itself, serves no good purpose.

What society really needs is for those who have sinned to repent and for those who have been wronged to forgive those who have repented, or are in the process of repenting.
Yes, I agree.

It's only when someone refuses to repent that they must be sent to live somewhere else.
I suppose that's true, but it's very difficult for humans to judge the veracity of another's claim to repentance. The old slogan "Trust, but verify" may be appropriate - and in some circumstances the gravity of the offense may require containing a person out of concern for recidivism.

Boomerang toss... back atcha.