Pastor David McKinley’s Letter to The Kansas City Star On Capital Punishment

I think there’s something about the air particles that reside in the pastor’s office at The First Christian Church of Pleasanton. Something here compels a person to write and publicize when they see injustices done. I’ve written several letters to the editor over the years…as well as over 100 blogs because sometimes you have to speak out, lest you start to loose sleep over your silence. It must be the air in my office. But I’m glad to see my predecessor David McKinley still has some of that contaminated air in his lungs as well. This morning’s Kansas City Star published a letter to the editor from David, concerning the Kelsey Smith murder and the need for the death penalty to be pursued in this case. I am in complete agreement with David, and was glad to see him using his prolific pen to influence Kansas City for the good. To read David’s letter, as well as the comments from readers, you can go to the Kansas City Star’s blog site, by clicking here. When you do, you’ll notice the first commenter was some guy named Shane who whole-heartedly agreed with Rev. McKinley.

In other blogs, including one I recently wrote on Kelsey Smith, I’ve stated my strong belief in the validity of capital punishment. Another letter to the editor, included with David’s, mentions the need for lessened gun control so someone like Kelsey could legally defend herself in such a situation. While I don’t want to step back into the gun control debate in this blog (though I’ve made my thoughts known on that topic as well), I do think it is very telling to note that the man who murdered Kelsey Smith could possibly get ONLY 25 years in prison, while Kelsey, if she had a gun and defended herself, could have ended up with a similar sentence (if not worse). The philosophical and moral issue here is that in an ironically twisted way, the government at times protects cold-blooded murders with greater zeal than it does innocent, vulnerable citizens (abortion is a classic example as well). It’s just another indication that our justice system in in danger of going AWOL from its original purpose of keeping the peace by protecting the citizens from psychotic savagery like the Smith murder.

Thanks David for writing your letter. I’m glad to see the KC Star did the right thing by printing it. Let’s hope and pray that justice is served to the fullest extent of the law in this case. So maybe future tragedies like this one can be avoided.

Comments

[annie]

Pastor David McKinley, hummm don't i know that name from somewhere? hahahaha i am so glad to once again hear pastor david speak the truth, i agree with you both on this matter and i hope that the death penalty will be used in this case as well as alot more cases, to show that crimes deserving of death will be enforced instead of just slapping them on the hand, and saying no no, bad boys or girls. I will never forget Pastor David, because it was God using him the first time i had stepped in a church in years who preached Gods word so straight, that God used it to peirce my heart and led me in the direction that God wanted me to be, i will be eternally greatful to all of the ministers of Gods word who will stand up for the truth and let his Holy word be preached in totallity, never watering it down. And God kept working on me even after David left, because he sent yet one more man who is not afraid to tell the TRUTH. Thank you God for the blessings you have given us AMEN!!!