DOES OUR COURT SYSTEM TRULY SEEK JUSTICE OR REVENGE?

Lady Justice can be traced as far back as the ancient Egyptians goddess Isis and Maat. She is an allegorical personification, or a person based off of human psychology, of justice.  She is known as the Roman goddess of Justice (as Justita) and is equivalent to Themis, a Greek goddess who is described as “The Lady of Good Counsel”. She was first sculpted with her blindfold by Hans Gieng, a Renaissance sculptor, in the late 15^th century. The blindfolded Lady Justice represents a theory in law: blind justice. Blind Justice is a theory the law should be determined guilty or not guilty with an open mind and without any bias or prejudice. The scale represents justice that is well balanced and fair while the sword represents the power and strength of justice.The Supreme Court motto is “Equal Justice Under Law”. With this belief, the Supreme Court justice takes the following oath:

“I, [name], do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [title] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God.”

ARE THEIR FLAWS IN THE LAWS?

Yesterday, while watching Court TV www.courttv.com; I saw a report about a convicted murderer who was a follower of Charles Manson. Her name is Lesley Van Houten. She has been incarcerated since August, 1969 (now over 50 years).  She was only 19 years old when she was first imprisoned. She has been an exemplary prisoner, who has encouraged and motivated many young prisoners to go out an live their lives with purpose. Over the years, she has attempted an have been granted parole only to have the decision to be overturned by the state Governor and the political power structure. Don’t get me wrong, she committed a horrible crime and certainly I believe deserving of a just punishment. I am not suggesting a blanket solution to resolve the “permanently incorrigible” matters; but perhaps they should be determined on a case by case analysis(Parole Board). In this particular case the defendant was sentenced to seven years to life. This means she has a legal right to seek parole. Unfortunately, our laws use terms like rehabilitation and reform far too loosely. She has suffered and sacrificed most of her quality years incarcerated. This concept of a life for a life is obviously not working. I believe true, fair, and equal justice should be administered with some mercy. I am speaking of forgiveness. The flaws in our laws are cleverly disguised under the banner of righteous indignation or religion. “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE…

I am reminded of the Apostle Paul, who before he was converted was responsible for the persecution and murder of many Christians. Paul would even refer himself as a “prisoner of Jesus Christ; “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (Ephesians 3:1-7) Our Heavenly Father would later use him for his very own divine purpose to write nearly the entire New Testament. Also, David who would devise a plan to have one of his faithful soldiers killed to allow him the opportunity to covet another mans wife. David did suffer punishment for his outlandish crime, but would go on to author many of our Psalms. The just shall live by faith. This particular Scripture was of such importance that four times in both the Old and New Testaments is it recorded.(Hebrews 10:38, Galatians 3:11,Romans 1:17,Habakkuk 2:4) If we in our laws continue to seek vengeance instead of justice we are in opposition with the will of God. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”(Romans 12:19)