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Public executions belong to Ancient Rome, not to Christians or Americans
This op-ed argues Hegseth’s reported public execution idea contradicts Jesus’s compassion, echoes Roman barbarism and that religious citizens should reject such spectacles.
By Mike Aleman | FāVS News Columnist
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth claims to be a Christian. It’s a false claim because he has distorted the message of Jesus. Publicly at least, there is nothing of Jesus in Hegseth.
His plan to make an execution of another human being a public exhibition is proof of it.
Public executions are practiced chiefly in Iran and Afghanistan today. But it was practiced by the Romans in the past. Hegseth wanted to join the ranks of the Roman barbarians who executed 1,000 Christians publicly for their beliefs, showing that he is more barbarian than Christian.
The only reason he and the president are backing away from the public execution is political expediency. They’re unpopular enough without throwing the fuel of a public execution on the fire.
The fact that public executions are cruel and unusual punishments doesn’t enter in, nor does compassion for the family of the soldier to be executed..
Jesus shows us a different mindset. In Matthew 14, the Bible says, “when Jesus saw a multitude he was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick.”
In Mark 1 when a leper kneeled before him, Jesus was “moved with compassion, stretched out his hand and touched him.”
Jesus is about healing. Hegseth vengeance.
Every thinking Christian man and woman knows a public execution only raises the bar of human depravity and barbarism while the best of human behavior is trampled under its boot.
It’s telling that the only reason the president has moved away from it is political. He has never spoken against it and has hinted that the military wants it.
Religious citizens regardless of belief should be adverse to making a public execution a spectator sport once embraced by Rome. The United States doesn’t need to become a new Roman Empire.
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