I stand for mercy

As I get older, I try my best not to post judgmental posts without at least considering different sides.  Maybe I shouldn’t impose this value as I read different posts in Facebook and other media of people condemning and questioning Australia’s serious effort in saving two “drug lords” and “scumbags”.

Don’t get me wrong, I get it that drugs kills and tragically affect those around them. I get it that it destroys lives beyond those who consume the substance. I sympathise with the family and the victims.

I have never done drugs and also condemn those who destroy people’s lives by seducing them to drugs. I also get the symbolic killing of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran – because drug traders are said to have killed thousands of people through their actions.

What I don’t get is the lack of open mind that some people display through their quick judgmental action. The populist quick stroke of judgment that these two are beyond help and that they should serve as a warning. For what? To whom? People continue to use and trade drugs even in countries like the US where death penalty is still in place – the system’s not working.

Listen to the other side. Even if you still keep your own opinion, at least it would be a richer and robust decision, rather than a quick trigger-happy judgment.

I support mercy for the two “scums” because many reports have said that they are rehabilitated or at least in a continuing process of rehabilitation. Andrew Chan wants to pursue a theological path by becoming a pastor, while Myuran Sukumaran has learned a new skill by painting – and a pretty good one at that. They have done something seriously wrong. They get that. They don’t want to be released and they are willing to repay their crime from within confinement. All they want is to be spared the death sentence. They were stupid, they get that.

What message does their execution deliver to those in prisons who have worked hard to improve their lives through rehabilitation? That they shouldn’t bother? They’re going to die anyway. Furthermore, how come the supposedly impartial legal decisions often favour some and not others when it comes to executing criminals in Indonesia. At the end of the day, it is a state-sanctioned murder.

It would be remiss of me not to test my view, had these two been serial rapists or paedophiles or that they had done something totally deplorable within my own boundaries. Setting emotions aside, if they are rehabilitated and they do not wish to be released from their sentence, i.e. they are willing to repay for their crimes – I would probably stick to the same conclusion. Any of us who is without sin can throw the first stone?

I stand for mercy.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found.
Was blind, but now I see.