Saddam’s execution


I’ve mulled a bit over posting this but I thought it might be informative for readers to know where to look for details of the event.

No point pretending now that a full video isn’t available. Here it is.

If you’d just like to read an account of the whole video then the BBC has an excellent narrative.

I’ve argued previously that there is a biblical defence, indeed a mandate, for the death penalty. Now is, of course, probably not the best time to reopen that discussion and that’s not what I intend to do here, but I would observe that the case of Saddam is probably a bad test-case for this issue. It’s highly emotive and the depths of the man’s crime actually (to my mind, at least) confuse the question and bring about an emotive response rather than the reasoning from scripture that we should all be engaging in.

Ultimately it’s a very sad occassion, for Saddam’s death brings no real change to those who cruelly mocked him as he died. There is a great irony that Saddam appeared one of the most dignified men in that room.

And deeper still is the tragedy that those that mocked him have still not understood that it is not immorality that sends a man to hell, but not trusting in Jesus Christ. God have mercy not just on Saddam Hussein (although it is too late now), but the whole nation of Iraq and the Muslim religion.

1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.

View this post at the WhiteHorseInn

Leave a Reply

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. confusinomitron

    Hello, I saw some of your posts in the christianity_sex group and I wanted to apologize if some of my replies seemed a bit snarky. I try to remain as neutral as possible and not resort to sarcasm but sometimes I fail miserably. I am sorry if I came off as condescending or rude.

    I was surprised that youtube allowed this to be shown. A while back there was a bit of a brouhaha over the use of a fake gun in one of the clips, but apparently live executions of deposed despots is okay.

    His demeanor did seem dignified, but in the clip I saw the narrator was explaining that he was saying things like “Iraq is nothing without me” and that the hangmen were terrorists. Bit of a spoilsport, no? Bit of gallows humor there (pun intended, couldn’t help myself).

    It seemed that there was a lot of excitement and energy in the crowd and I don’t believe it would be assuming too much to say they enjoyed the spectacle. Made me feel a bit ill. Seemed more like bloodlust than justice.

    1. David Ould

      no, not at all. Don’t worry about it. I did, however, note your suddent interest!

      I think you’re right about the event, but then I guess that’s what happens when people are so emotionally involved. However, I think that it’s possible to argue that the punishment was just, albeit that there were incidents of bloodlust at the event.

      As for YouTube, I’m glad they posted it. I had to go through 2 layers of confirmation questions before I could see the video. I think that’s adequate.

      I hope you’ll stick around here. It’s rare that a liberal view and courtesy are combined. In fact, come to think of it, it’s been a good few months at least since I’ve seen that combination on LJ.

      1. confusinomitron

        I try very hard to respect all participants in a debate. I have my beliefs and of course I believe I am right, but I also recognize that Christians (or just about everyone, really) believes they are right just as fervently as I do. I am in no position to say “no, that is wrong”. All I can do is present my side. I find people listen a lot better when I’m respectful and kind, and I reciprocate.

        I’m also almost entirely self-educated and as such I have been proven wrong many, many, many times. It’s humbling to say the least, but I’ve learned to look at it as a success rather than a failure. I’m one step closer to an accurate world-view, what could be bad about that?

        1. David Ould

          not much wrong with it at all. Look forward to having you around.

Leave a Comment - but please pay careful attention to the house rules