Walter Cromer Long

Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies and to forgive. How can these messages of compassion be reconciled with a policy of putting to death those whom we have judged to be wrongdoers against society? Walter Long, a defense attorney for Texas death row inmates, says that they cannot. He wrestles with the apparent contradiction between the teachings of Jesus and widespread tolerance for government violence in a state where most citizens identify themselves as Christian. He explores the impact of a particular execution of great renown—the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth—and looks for his own understanding of that event, of the man and his message, and of the followers who formed the church after his death. In a provocative essay, he returns to the basics of how Jesus taught us to live and how those instructions may encourage us to be actively faithful in our world today. Discussion questions included.… (mer)

Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies and to forgive. How can these messages of compassion be reconciled with a policy of putting to death those whom we have judged to be wrongdoers against society? The author says that they cannot. He wrestles with the apparent contradiction between the teachings of Jesus and widespread tolerance for government violence in a state where most citizens identify themselves as Christian. He explores the impact of a particular execution of great renown - the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth - and looks for his own understanding of that event and of the man and his message.… (mer)

This wonderful pamphlet addresses the contrast between Jesus' message of fearless compassion and the peaceable kingdom, with the Christian doctrines of atonement (Jesus' death by execution as necessary atonement for human sin) that present God demanding retribution for human sin and responsible for the execution of Jesus. The very most wonderful part, however, is Long's explanation of his use of the Lord's prayer as a spiritual practice, which has helped him to endure his traumatizing work as a death penalty appeals attorney. He sees each act of forgiveness of self and others as a small resurrection and a source of hope for a less violent and more just future.… (mer)