Is it cool if I chime in again?
I like when this topic comes up because it at least gives me a chance to really apply some logic. Much of which I find the Christian communities lack.
As far as what it means to treat others regardless of their actions as humans. It’s coming from a sense that as an individual, it is not ones place to judge or condemn. Be it from someone who’s spent their entire life doing good, or those who commit the most heinous of crimes. The latter is extremely hard to do. But there’s a handful of references, biblically speaking, that mention vengeance is not ours, sin is not categorized, and the methods of operations we have, do not align often times with God’s.
Now that does not mean, let those who commit unspeakable actions, just walk free. Book of Romans in the 13th chapter (if you need specific verses I can add them in), speaks of obeying the laws of the land. If such laws prohibit murder,rape, pedophilia, stealing, etc. We as citizens of the land are to abide by them. Ergo, breaking such laws is punishable by the land that has set up punishment accordingly. I think right there is where autonomy sets in. But with that, I think it’s important to still remember that such treatment need not come from a place of condemnation as individuals firstly, and as a nation second.
When I think of that, I think of the “no cruel and unusual punishment”, amendment regardless of the offense. I think that lines up pretty biblically from my own view, but over the years it seems many states often go their own routes when dealing with members of society who have committed aweful crimes. Now I know it kind of comes full circle. The need to want to absolutely torture those who hurt the innocent is by far an urge I too often find hard to overcome. But right there, going back to the part where I mentioned vengeance is not ours, is an extremely tough pill to swallow. But I think it’s all interconnected, because say you shoot the man who shot someone you loved, be it family or friend, the state which you reside will still charge you with murder, because murder is murder. The reasons behind it were totally different, but the end result is still death.
Hence, why the treatment of others, regardless of their actions, has some sort of …middle ground? If you would.
Hopefully what I said makes any sense?