Steven Hayes receives death penalty

[Amy.G]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/08/jury-mulls-death-penalty-th-day-connecticut-home-invasion-trial/

I am thankful for the justice in this case. I hope his sentence is carried out quickly, but I doubt it will happen for many years.

 

[annsni]

If any case deserves the death penalty, this is it.

 

[webdog]

How can the jury find someone guilty (not the judge) and then only get to "recommend" the punishment to the judge who has no say in the verdict? Never understood that...

 

[abcgrad94]

Forget death row. He should be publicly hanged in the nearest town square. We don't need filth like this living on our tax dollars on death row.

 

[Scarlett O.]

The father expressed that while justice was served, that there will never be closure. He is most definitely a victim and is suffering longer and will suffer longer than his wife and daughters did. I can't imagine what the mother endured knowing that her daughters were in peril. I can't imagine the horror of the rapes and burnings. But we don't need to forget this father who has to relive it the nightmare and question himself.

He needs our prayers.

The article stated:

Hayes looked straight ahead and had no obvious reaction as the jury's sentence was announced. He will join nine other men on Connecticut's death row. The state has only executed one man since 1960, so Hayes will likely spend years, if not decades, in prison.

What's the point of death row if no one is put to death for 50 years?

Also - here is my own personal thinking that hurts my brain and I don't like to think about it.

What if that mother and her daughters and this father were/are not Christians?

What if this monster of a man gets saved while on death row?

What does that make ME if this seems like an injustice in my own heart and if I do not like that scenario?

 

[freeatlast]

I find this interesting. Many of the very ones who clamor for love, forgiveness, and mercy not only call for the death penalty but do it with a spirit of vengeance. I certainly stand for the death penalty for any taking of life unless it is an accident, but not for vengeance, or with great excitement as I see here. The reason I stand for the death penalty is because that is what the Lord calls for. However I also believe that we who claim to be Christians are never to have an attitude of vengeance, or joy over the idea that the criminal is going to be put to death. Shouldn't we be praying for this man to be saved while at the same time we stand for the punishment that God ordains because of his crime? I wonder which one of us does not deserve the death penalty under God's standards?
Have you ever used God's name in vain? Death penalty. Have you ever cursed your parent or put your hands on them out of anger? Death penalty. How about adultery? Death penalty. Sodomy? Death penalty. I believe in the death penalty for all these since these are God's standards, but never with eagerness or joy. It is always a sorrowful event. There are many other sins that call for the death penalty, but the bottom line is how many of us also deserve the death penalty based on God's guidelines have slid by the death penalty, and are grateful, yet are so quick to see it carried out on another, and with so much joy and conviction. Strange!
As far as the father saying that there will never have closure. Well he also needs prayer for his salvation so he can forgive this man. The death penalty will never bring closure. Only when we forgive the one who offended will we find closure. I know. I have been there.

 

[Amy.G]

I find this interesting. Many of the very ones who clamor for love, forgiveness, and mercy not only call for the death penalty but do it with a spirit of vengeance.

I don't see anyone here with a vengeful attitude. This is about justice and I put that in my OP.

It was God's decree that a man be put to death for the murder of another. That is what is happening, not to mention it is the law of our land. Forgiveness is not for me to give this murderer. That is up to the poor man who is left to live without his wife and 2 daughters. It's also up to this murder to seek God's forgiveness.
I am just glad to see justice done for a change in this morally corrupt nation.
Steven Hayes took the lives of 3 precious people who were created in the image of God, and for that he deserves death.

 

[Scarlett O.]

I find this interesting. Many of the very ones who clamor for love, forgiveness, and mercy not only call for the death penalty but do it with a spirit of vengeance. I certainly stand for the death penalty for any taking of life unless it is an accident, but not for vengeance, or with great excitement as I see here. The reason I stand for the death penalty is because that is what the Lord calls for. However I also believe that we who claim to be Christians are never to have an attitude of vengeance, or joy over the idea that the criminal is going to be put to death. Shouldn't we be praying for this man to be saved while at the same time we stand for the punishment that God ordains because of his crime? I wonder which one of us does not deserve the death penalty under God's standards?
Have you ever used God's name in vain? Death penalty. Have you ever cursed your parent or put your hands on them out of anger? Death penalty. How about adultery? Death penalty. Sodomy? Death penalty. I believe in the death penalty for all these since these are God's standards, but never with eagerness or joy. It is always a sorrowful event. There are many other sins that call for the death penalty, but the bottom line is how many of us also deserve the death penalty based on God's guidelines have slid by the death penalty, and are grateful, yet are so quick to see it carried out on another, and with so much joy and conviction. Strange!
As far as the father saying that there will never be closure. Well he also needs prayer for his salvation so he can forgive this man. The death penalty will never bring closure. In fact it can increase one's anger. Only when we forgive the one who offended will we find closure. I know. I have been there.

I didn't really take others as speaking with vengeance. I heard anger and a clamor for justice.

It takes a little longer for society to forgive crimes of this nature than other crimes. I know that you know that. If that's a flaw in society, then that's just how it is.

I have prayed for this man to saved. The first time was when I first saw this on the news. I pray for him, his partner, and the father/husband of the murder victims to be saved. I have prayed for him a couple of times since.

My dilemma in my heart is that men (and women) like this who live the cruelest of live CAN BE SAVED in the 11th hour and their victims can spend an eternity in hell.

My head understands why people go to hell and why people go to heaven. I believe the Bible when it says that it is God's will that none should perish. And I believe that the word "none" mean "none".

But my heart sometimes is weak.

What if that 11 year old girl who was raped and burned to death was not saved?

I am solid as a rock on my belief that God does NOT err. I am not questioning his justice nor his mercy. Like I said, my head gets it.

I just don't like thinking about it the what if's sometimes.

I have prayed for this man's salvation and for the father/husband's salvation. I'll have to be content in continuing to do so.

 

[freeatlast]

I didn't really take others as speaking with vengeance. I heard anger and a clamor for justice.

It takes a little longer for society to forgive crimes of this nature than other crimes. I know that you know that. If that's a flaw in society, then that's just how it is.

I have prayed for this man to saved. The first time was when I first saw this on the news. I pray for him, his partner, and the father/husband of the murder victims to be saved. I have prayed for him a couple of times since.

My dilemma in my heart is that men (and women) like this who live the cruelest of live CAN BE SAVED in the 11th hour and their victims can spend an eternity in hell.

My head understands why people go to hell and why people go to heaven. I believe the Bible when it says that it is God's will that none should perish. And I believe that the word "none" mean "none".

But my heart sometimes is weak.

What if that 11 year old girl who was raped and burned to death was not saved?

I am solid as a rock on my belief that God does NOT err. I am not questioning his justice nor his mercy. Like I said, my head gets it.

I just don't like thinking about it the what if's sometimes.

I have prayed for this man's salvation and for the father/husband's salvation. I'll have to be content in continuing to do so.

Why is it a dilemma for someone to be saved on the cross (last moment)? Are you suggesting that you or some deserve to be saved? In other words because you or another gets saved at a young age and live a life for Christ does that mean you or another is more worthy? You say that you did not take others speaking with vengeance. Well then you need to go back and read those posts. You said "It takes a little longer for society to forgive crimes of this nature than other crimes." Society never forgives, but I was not writing to society. I was writing to people who claim to be Christian and God does not give us time to forgive. We are to do it before the sun goes down on us. We seem to always have an excuse. :tear:

 

[freeatlast]

I don't see anyone here with a vengeful attitude. This is about justice and I put that in my OP.

It was God's decree that a man be put to death for the murder of another. That is what is happening, not to mention it is the law of our land. Forgiveness is not for me to give this murderer. That is up to the poor man who is left to live without his wife and 2 daughters. It's also up to this murder to seek God's forgiveness.
I am just glad to see justice done for a change in this morally corrupt nation.
Steven Hayes took the lives of 3 precious people who were created in the image of God, and for that he deserves death.

Amy I agree he deserves death under God's standards and I am glad that we still follow some of them. However to say that you did not see any vengeance in the posts is not honorable of you. It is as clear as the nose on your face. Those posts were not glad to see God's moral laws carried out. They were glad to see a person put to death because of hard hearts. We claim we seek justice, but justice is always to be for the Lord, not for our personal satisfaction. If we are being truthful it was nothing but a mob response to get personal satisfaction even though the crime was not against us personally. it is good to stand for everything that the Lord does, but we also should stand for those things like he does and the Lord said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." When calling for any sentence that requires the death penalty we should be willing to carry it out and yet in the Spirit of Christ's forgiveness.

 

[Scarlett O.]

Why is it a dilemma for someone to be saved on the cross (last moment)? Are you suggesting that you or some deserve to be saved? In other words because you or another gets saved at a young age and live a life for Christ does that mean you or another is more worthy. You say that you did not take others speaking with vengeance. Well then you need to go back and read those posts. You said "It takes a little longer for society to forgive crimes of this nature than other crimes." Society never forgives, but I was not writing to society. I was writing to people who claim to be Christian and God does not give us time to forgive. We are to do it before the sun goes down on us. We seem to always have an excuse. :tear:

Everyone's salvation is the same. Paul said that. What is different is the rewards we will receive not to gloat, but that we will cast at Jesus' feet in glory to Him.

I believe in death-bed confessions. I am praying for one right now from grandfather of a friend of mine. Her family is terribly upset that he will not come home from the hospital and they are not sure of his stance with God.

I'll rephrase what I said.

It takes a little longer for ME to forgive crimes of this nature than other crimes. It's not that I don't forgive at all, but it takes more out of me to forgive someone who rapes and burns children.

Maybe that makes me weak. I don't know. I do harbor anger at the actions of this man that I am ironically praying for. Does that make my prayers hindered? I don't know.

I'm not excusing myself. Only explaining myself.

 

[freeatlast]

Everyone's salvation is the same. Paul said that. What is different is the rewards we will receive not to gloat, but that we will cast at Jesus' feet in glory to Him.

I believe in death-bed confessions. I am praying for one right now from grandfather of a friend of mine. Her family is terribly upset that he will not come home from the hospital and they are not sure of his stance with God.

I'll rephrase what I said.

It takes a little longer for ME to forgive crimes of this nature than other crimes. It's not that I don't forgive at all, but it takes more out of me to forgive someone who rapes and burns children.

Maybe that makes me weak. I don't know. I do harbor anger at the actions of this man that I am ironically praying for. Does that make my prayers hindered? I don't know.

I'm not excusing myself. Only explaining myself.

You seem to want to defend your current state, but I do thank you for the explanation, however I see you did not ask for prayer in the mist of your explanation. Would you like prayer for this along with Steven Hayes or are you content to remain where you are?

 

[Scarlett O.]

You seem to want to defend your current state, but I do thank you for the explanation, however I see you did not ask for prayer in the mist of your explanation. Would you like prayer for this along with Steven Hayes or are you content to remain where you are?

I would appreciate any and all prayers that you could raise up for me. We should never be content to stay where we are.

I have forgiven people in the past who did terrible things. I forgave a couple of people who grossly abused a couple of students of mine. Things I could tell you that would make you vomit. These children are now grown adults with families of their own, yet in some ways still are bearing consequences of that abuse.

I forgave the man who molested me almost 40 years ago. I forgave him decades ago.

With my confession that it isn't always easy to do forgive people of heinous acts on the same day that they commit those acts ( before the sun goes down, as you pointed out), do you see that as my needing prayer?

I see this as me being a human being - frail and faulty. I have forgiven this man for what he did to this family. I couldn't pray for his salvation if I hadn't. But his actions are still horrid and I abhor them.

Pray for me whole-heartedly if you will. I do not begrudge the question and accept the prayers.

 

[Gina B]

It is VERY humbling to realize that Christ died as much for this murderer and child rapist as He did for me. Sin is sin.

The human in me wants the perpetrator and his accomplice tortured to death. The spirit in me says pray for both of them because someone prayed for me before too.

But the survivor of this? I'd like to know more about him. Just the fact that he hasn't committed suicide amazes me. That's a strong person. Does anyone know if there is a website out there that allows people to voice their support for him and offer encouragement?

 

[billwald]

Pragmatically, several life sentences would be MUCH cheaper than the legal costs of hanging him.

 

[webdog]

I would appreciate any and all prayers that you could raise up for me. We should never be content to stay where we are.

I have forgiven people in the past who did terrible things. I forgave a couple of people who grossly abused a couple of students of mine. Things I could tell you that would make you vomit. These children are now grown adults with families of their own, yet in some ways still are bearing consequences of that abuse.

I forgave the man who molested me almost 40 years ago. I forgave him decades ago.

With my confession that it isn't always easy to do forgive people of heinous acts on the same day that they commit those acts ( before the sun goes down, as you pointed out), do you see that as my needing prayer?

I see this as me being a human being - frail and faulty. I have forgiven this man for what he did to this family. I couldn't pray for his salvation if I hadn't. But his actions are still horrid and I abhor them.

Pray for me whole-heartedly if you will. I do not begrudge the question and accept the prayers.

I doubt his sincerity, as his post to Amy shows...he claims to have this ability to know hearts and dismisses anyone who does not hold to his legalistic standards as lost...quite the pharisee approach.

 

[preachinjesus]

As a defender of an abolishment of the death penalty this kind of a case makes me think about my position carefully.

The pain and sorrow that is caused by these two men...I cannot begin to speak in outrage.

 

[annsni]

As a defender of an abolishment of the death penalty this kind of a case makes me think about my position carefully.

The pain and sorrow that is caused by these two men...I cannot begin to speak in outrage.

It totally turns your stomach, doesn't it??

 

[sag38]

Sorry freeatlast, but not all of us are on the same high spiritual plane that you exist on that we haven't thought of vengeance. The vengeance side of me would like to see this man tied to a bed, have gasoline poured all over him, and then lit on fire just like he did to his victims. But, God exacts vengeance; not me. I leave him to God and pray that God will have mercy on him. Maybe this man will repent before it is too late. However, whether he repents or not, I am for the death penalty. He's been proven guilty, beyond a shadow of a doubt, so send him to judgment quickly, otherwise Bill's observation comes true.