[purveyor of knowledge]

Originally Posted by RascalPuff Thank you, Sally and PoK: Please keep in mind that with regard to prosecution or punishment, in the realm I allude to, the justice may be in uncovering what was previously and successfully sequestered.

Thank you RascalPuff. I too believe this kind of responsibility exists.

Originally Posted by RascalPuff Although all of us to one degree or other are - however remotely - accessory participants in the dynamics of society at large and its influence on particularly culpable individuals, certainly some people are a lot more responsible for their actions than the contingency of social influence which leads them to grievously trespass.

I believe we are all not remote participants, but very active participants, and it is specifically us that determines the state of affairs on this planet. Every single human being is responsible for everything in my opinion. This doesn't mean that we are relieved of responsibility however, just the opposite is true.

Originally Posted by RascalPuff Bear in mind that, for example, 'the Charles Manson Family' repeatedly emphasized that 'society made them do it'. Though there is some verity in this argument, I think you will agree that, as other examples, the actions of offenders such as Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacey, are not to be attributed to the dynamics of society or the behavior - or existence - of their victims.

In my opinion incidences like Charles Manson, Jonestown, Cho, The School Shootings, etc. all of them are meant to serve a purpose, as an alarm. However terrible these incidents are they serve a real purpose. And that is to call our attention to the fact that disharmony exists in our society today, and we have to do something about it. These event will continue to occur until mankind, through something like the toe, realizes his connection to eachother and to the world and his responsibility for everything that goes on.

Originally Posted by RascalPuff A line need be drawn separating the assailants from the victims, lest we fall into a pattern of shoulder shrugging indecision and what amounts to an apologist posturing relative to what really is evil. It may be 'politically incorrect' to be 'judgemental', but there are times when it is not only legally but morally necessary.

In my point of view there are no victims. All of us are responsible for everything that takes place. For example, if I believed in victims I would have to believe that I was, incidentally, a victim of physical brutality and robbery perpetrated by those trusted with the role of authority, so-called keepers of the peace. But I do not consider myself a victim, but rather as someone who has potential to change everything including the state of affairs which troubles me.

Originally Posted by RascalPuff There are gradations of guilt and innocence, and, does it not behoove the publlic - for its own sake and safety - to discern the degrees of difference? 'The public' has an obligation to know how, where and when to protect itself - this requires 'being judgemental'. Knowing and identifying right from wrong and especially degrees of it... The alternative is to find all of society guilty and let criminal anarchy prevail over an impotent culture.

My opinion is best quoted by the lyrics from the song Unity, by Operation Ivy. "We are all guilty, we are all the same." The solution is to realize we are all guilty for the situation on planet earth and that we all have to do something about it as one.

Originally Posted by RascalPuff Does not serious crime without consequence constitute incentive to beget more - and increasingly grievous - crime? Your cautionarys about judgementality are duely noted, however, and certainly there is wisdom in them. May what punishment there may be, fit the crime.

Your words are wise and well written RascalPuff. But should we believe in punishment, or reconciliation, and forgiveness?

Originally Posted by RascalPuff In the given scenario of an immortal hereafter, the 'punishment' would simply be the installation of a sense of remorse and constructive repentence in the former wrongdoers.

now this kind of "punishment" I believe in, although I don't think of it as punishment, so much as reconciliation and ultimate forgiveness

cheers,
-pok.