Deadline Screens In Spencertown New York

Thanks to Dick Light and everyone who participated in Deadline's screening on May 6th. Dick was kind enough to send us a dialogue that took place at the screening. Find out more about Deadline's upcoming screenings.

We had a small but active group of about a dozen folks for the screening in Spencertown last Friday... We were fortunate to have had Don Shriver, President Emeritus of Union Theological Seminary and his wife Peggy, from The National Council of Churches as discussion facilitators. Their presence and their backgrounds in theology and ethics (Don is author of An Ethic for Enemies among other books) contributed greatly to the exchange of ideas.

The discussion lasted for somewhat over an hour. Folks were clearly energized by the film to think about the death penalty. Here, in no particular order, are some reactions. Rough paraphrases of comments are in quotes.

"For me, the film makes clear that our criminal justice system is broken. It is clear that the system discriminates against people of color and poor people. I don't believe in the death penalty as it is currently, unfairly applied. Nonetheless, if my son were murdered, I would have no hesitation killing the murderer. I believe also that the film was one-sided in the sense that there were few prison guards or prosecutors interviewed, and no police officers were interviewed."

"But this was the story of Governor Ryan's decision on capital punishment and the justice system in Illinois with all its flaws -- its not likely police officers would have much insight into that."

"Your suggestion that you would take it into your own hands to deliver capital punishement to a hypothetical murderer of your son illustrates why our society has laws -- to prevent vigilante justice. Beyond that, if you choose to personally avenge your son's death, how do you know you will execute the actual killer and not an innocent person, as illustrated so often in this film? Further, as a Christian, I do believe in forgiveness."

"I'm sorry, but as a follower of the Old Testament, I believe in capital punishment in some cases."

At some point, someone in the discussion group asked for a show of hands: "How many of you believe in the death penalty"? One hand went up.

There was much more to the discussion. These were some points that stood out for me.

Thanks for doing that film.

Posted by beth at 12:38 PM

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