Post by manjushri108 on Jan 28, 2006 14:40:07 GMT
Here's something I wanted to kind of toss out there and see what kind of responses I can get. Here's my situation...I have a cousin who is in prison and on death row to top that off. His date for execution was recently announced for 2/8/2006. Now, to me, this brings up all sorts of issues that I am forced to deal with whether I want to or not.
1. I realize the only difference between he and I is the fact that he knows the very moment of when his death will occur and I do not. Who exactly is in a better position? Spiritually speaking, I think we're both screwed and blessed. The reason being that because he knows when he will die means that he could use this time to prepare for death whereas, because I don't know when I will die, there is a lingering uncertainty and because I believe I will continue living, don't (conciously or not) use my human life very meaningfully. The simple fact is the potential exists that I may very well die before he does, but I don't know this for certain. My point is just that there is an awkwardness and some guilt arising in me for not being a "better Buddhist"
2. I am now being forced to deal with my own views regarding the death penalty. To put things simply, my cousin killed someone and now he is suffering the concequences for his actions. But, because he is being killed by others instead of his karma simply arising it throws a whole new wrench in the cog-works. I mean, it IS his karma to be killed by others, but the people killing him will be creating their own karma with regards to it. This, to me, seems disgusting. People are sentenced like this all the time apparently, but when it hits so close to home it really makes you think. I think the death penalty is quite barbaric. If you think about it, these people will often suffer far worse in the future when the conditions are right and those negativities come to fruition...so in essence its a multi-whammy involving not only my cousin, but my family, the family of the person he murdered, the people involved in his case, the people responsible for sentencing him, his executioner, etc, etc. My mind spins at the immensity of it all.
3. I am now forced to deal with my own issues with regards to my personal relationship with my cousin. The situation is further compounded by the fact that he molested both his sister and myself when we were very very young. I don't know if it was the only time it occured, I just know it was the only time I remember. At present time this is how I feel...I know what he did was bad (with regards to his sister and I), no child should have to bear the scars of such things, there is no real reconciliation for this. I don't feel bad for what he did to me and his sis as much as I feel bad for what he did when he killed or for what he is about to experience (and is experiencing with impending death).
It is so complicated...so much to explain...so many feelings boiling up within me. My family and I now have to deal with being the family of the guy that got executed. My aunt knows that one of her babies is being killed and there is nothing she can do to protect his life. What to do?? Is there anything to do?? I feel like I need to do something...well there it is...whatever it is.
Prayers requested for Robert James Neville Jr. sentenced to die on Februrary 8th, 2006...thank you.
Quote: From a google search I did...just wanted facts to post re my cousin's case. Its to do with abolishing the death penalty of which i'm not debating, but there is more info there if anyone's interested.
www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2340
Robert James Neville Jr., a 31-year-old white man, is facing execution on Feb. 8, 2006 for one count of aggravated murder. In 1998 Neville and his accomplice, Michael Hall, drove their coworker, 19-year-old Amy Robinson, to a remote field in Tarrant County where they shot and killed her. The two were captured by U.S. Customs agents near the Mexican border.
Link: From TDCJ Offender Profile
www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/nevillerobert.htm
1. I realize the only difference between he and I is the fact that he knows the very moment of when his death will occur and I do not. Who exactly is in a better position? Spiritually speaking, I think we're both screwed and blessed. The reason being that because he knows when he will die means that he could use this time to prepare for death whereas, because I don't know when I will die, there is a lingering uncertainty and because I believe I will continue living, don't (conciously or not) use my human life very meaningfully. The simple fact is the potential exists that I may very well die before he does, but I don't know this for certain. My point is just that there is an awkwardness and some guilt arising in me for not being a "better Buddhist"
2. I am now being forced to deal with my own views regarding the death penalty. To put things simply, my cousin killed someone and now he is suffering the concequences for his actions. But, because he is being killed by others instead of his karma simply arising it throws a whole new wrench in the cog-works. I mean, it IS his karma to be killed by others, but the people killing him will be creating their own karma with regards to it. This, to me, seems disgusting. People are sentenced like this all the time apparently, but when it hits so close to home it really makes you think. I think the death penalty is quite barbaric. If you think about it, these people will often suffer far worse in the future when the conditions are right and those negativities come to fruition...so in essence its a multi-whammy involving not only my cousin, but my family, the family of the person he murdered, the people involved in his case, the people responsible for sentencing him, his executioner, etc, etc. My mind spins at the immensity of it all.
3. I am now forced to deal with my own issues with regards to my personal relationship with my cousin. The situation is further compounded by the fact that he molested both his sister and myself when we were very very young. I don't know if it was the only time it occured, I just know it was the only time I remember. At present time this is how I feel...I know what he did was bad (with regards to his sister and I), no child should have to bear the scars of such things, there is no real reconciliation for this. I don't feel bad for what he did to me and his sis as much as I feel bad for what he did when he killed or for what he is about to experience (and is experiencing with impending death).
It is so complicated...so much to explain...so many feelings boiling up within me. My family and I now have to deal with being the family of the guy that got executed. My aunt knows that one of her babies is being killed and there is nothing she can do to protect his life. What to do?? Is there anything to do?? I feel like I need to do something...well there it is...whatever it is.
Prayers requested for Robert James Neville Jr. sentenced to die on Februrary 8th, 2006...thank you.
Quote: From a google search I did...just wanted facts to post re my cousin's case. Its to do with abolishing the death penalty of which i'm not debating, but there is more info there if anyone's interested.
www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2340
Robert James Neville Jr., a 31-year-old white man, is facing execution on Feb. 8, 2006 for one count of aggravated murder. In 1998 Neville and his accomplice, Michael Hall, drove their coworker, 19-year-old Amy Robinson, to a remote field in Tarrant County where they shot and killed her. The two were captured by U.S. Customs agents near the Mexican border.
Link: From TDCJ Offender Profile
www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/nevillerobert.htm