Jürgen Moltmann on the Death Penalty

As an ecumenical expression of solidarity with the recent “A Catholic Call to Abolish the Death Penalty” (which I coauthored over at http://catholicmoraltheology.com/a-catholic-call-to-abolish-the-death-penalty/), German Reformed theologian Jürgen Moltmann has issued the following brief statement (translated by Dr. Steffen Lösel), which I have been requested to post here (and at http://catholicmoraltheology.com/jurgen-moltmann-on-capital-punishment/).

Dr. Moltmann’s Statement:

The unjust killing of Troy Davis has filled the world with pain and abhorrence. This is not the America, which is respected in the world and which is praised for its democratic humanitarianism.

As Christians, we receive our salvation from the justifying righteousness of God. We reject all forms of retributive justice. We reject the death penalty in the name of God.

Democratic governments are governments of the people. Just as the people are not allowed to lie, steal, or kill, neither are governments. We Germans know, how cruelly dictatorships lie, steal, and kill. We reject the death penalty in the name of democratic humanitarianism.

–Jürgen Moltmann