EDITOR, The Tribune.
It is commonly accepted among Christians and a lot of non-traditionalists, that if an individual takes the life of another without legal justification, he/she must in turn be executed by the state. This is the law of God Himself as laid down in the Bible. This eons-old concept of an eye for an eye forms the very basis of most jurisprudence thesis universally.
In recent years, a debate has been reignited as to the humane aspects of state sponsored executions for convicted and appeal barred certified murderers. Some argue that it is “cruel and inhumane” to execute such individuals. Others postulate that such murderers are capable of being rehabilitated. Yet, more of them clamor that if God can forgive why man can’t or won’t do so? The apologies, pro and con, could go on forever while scores more Bahamians are slaughtered like animals in our otherwise wonderful nation.
I am a Christian, bar none. My love and reverence for Jehovah knows no bounds and, certainly, are not restricted by humanistic dogma.
When I was in the legal arena, I specialised in criminal defence, especially for individuals accused of the most reprehensible of crimes: homicides; armed assaults; housebreaking; stealing; hijackings; fraud and, of course, brutal and life changing rapes of females and, once or twice, males. My “success” rate for murder acquittals hovered at 95% or 89 out of 110. No other lawyer before or since that time has even come close to my record.
Having said the above, I stress that while I would have represented alleged murderers, I am fully in support of the death penalty. Its imposition is mandated by God’s words which are not void of power, regardless of what the Pope or anyone else might say otherwise. It is on our statute books and has been carried out before.
It is to be conceded that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, our final court of appeal, has placed almost insurmountable challenges to the carrying out of the same here in The Bahamas and other jurisdictions where it holds sway.
It is because we are enchanted by all things foreign, we cling to the frayed gown tail of Mother England and Big Daddy America.
Our hybrid system of governance, one where we profess a transparent veneer of democracy but is really an almost hereditary self perpetuating notables.
Our leaders, on both sides, are fearful of bucking the now established order of the day which is against the imposition of the death penalty.
Bahamians always get the type of government which they deserve. Usually a politically spineless one or, at best, goose steppers and sheep walkers.
State-sponsored executions would result, in my view, in an immediate reduction in the alarming and ever increasing statistics for alleged homicides.
If I know, with certainty, that my life would be forfeited if I were to take yours without legal justification, unless I am a dead crazy individual, and many of you Bahamians appear to think that I am, I would hesitate, big time, before committing a murder. It is a definite deterrent no matter what the social apologists might say.
Yes, there is always room for rehabilitation but at what price and what consideration is being given to the deceased and his/her survivors?
Are the words of God void when He said “Thou shall not kill...”?
He went on to say, without ambiguity: “The soul that killeth shall surely die...”
Where the laws of God and those of man conflict, I for one, will err on God’s side and to hell with what might appear to be the majority.
The death penalty is the final solution and must be reimposed sooner rather than later. To God then, in all things, be the glory.
ORTLAND H. BODIE, Jr.
Nassau,
August 16, 2018.
Comments
Porcupine 5 years, 8 months ago
Mr. Bodie,
If you really can't see how lawyers and preachers have taken this country to the depths of a moral abyss, no one can save you now. The small-mindedness of our society, so petty and selfish, can be attributed to the failure of both institutions you so revere. Failure of both the legal system and of your crazy interpretation of a religious system has truly taken its' toll on this country. Mr. Bodie, you say, "State-sponsored executions would result, in my view, in an immediate reduction in the alarming and ever increasing statistics for alleged homicides." What year did you quit reading Mr. Bodie? We don't need "your view". We have real data that concludes, as most thinking people believe, that capital punishment does NOTHING to reduce the murder rate. We have a generation of young kids who don't respect life. Not other people's, not their own. And you go on, "I am a Christian, bar none. My love and reverence for Jehovah knows no bounds and, certainly, are not restricted by humanistic dogma." Humanistic dogma is what religion is all about. Every word in the bible was written by man. You really think a supreme being would take credit for the mess we find ourselves in? For god's sake Bodie. Have you gone bat-shit crazy? More people have died in the name of religion than most any other reason in this world. My god is the true god, blah blah blah. Most religious people pick and choose what parts of the bible they want to believe. Isn't one of the commandments "thou shall not kill" Mr. Bodie? But, as a well trained lawyer, you will say, "but, see here fair-minded jury, down here in sub section "A" it says an "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." And, there we have a supreme reason why we have a D- educational system where so many kids are raised by other kids because they don't know their father, leading to spare the rod, spoil the child, who then know nothing but violence. Our country's murder rate classifies us as an "armed conflict zone." Mr. Bodie.
Porcupine 5 years, 8 months ago
Perhaps you haven't read the complete true history of The Bahamas since independence. All of our leaders were both staunch Christians and lawyers. Now, if you want to put two and two together Mr. Bodie, as some thinking people do, I would say get rid of the parasitic lawyers and charlatan preachers from this country and we would finally start moving towards a civil society. And, let me ask you this Mr. Bodie. You claim, "My success rate for murder acquittals hovered at 95% or 89 out of 110. No other lawyer before or since that time has even come close to my record." So, Mr. Bodie, how many of those do you really believe were innocent? Every one? What was your success as a lawyer? Getting people off the death penalty, where other lessor lawyers couldn't? Or, that you took people's money and defended them nonetheless? And, 89 out of 110 might seem alright with you. But, what about the families who lost loved ones to the death penalty, only to find out later that they were wholly innocent? As happens all the time. Mr. Bodie, I feel sorry for you.
johnmcntsh 5 years, 8 months ago
Matthew (5:38-42) in the New Testament, Jesus repudiates even that notion. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Sickened 5 years, 8 months ago
Mr. Bodie, out of all of those murderers you got off, how many of them admitted to you, or you know for a fact, committed murder?
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