There were seven possible responses to the resolution:  completely agree, mostly agree, agree enough to support, no opinion, disagree enough not to support, mostly disagree, completely disagree.  Number of responses in each category were:

113
55
44
8
26
13
9

Completely Agree  (113 responses)

Being a part of society doesn’t absolve us of individual responsibility.  As Christians we are especially obligated to lead the way. We should honor the God of compassion in standing against the Death Penalty.

Not only do we hold open the possible redemption for the accused, we keep open the psychiatric opportunity to better understand criminality and perhaps someday lessen or even prevent it.

The presentation this morning was beautiful and poignant. The mother of the murdered son was especially eloquent.

1.  I understand this to be what the teachings of Jesus mean. 
2.  If even ONE person is unjustly put to death (the Death Penalty), this is wrong.

I am concerned about the inequality even more so—I believe in a God of love. It is God’s work, not ours, once a guilty person is confined.

I have to believe that our New Testament Christ would never accept the Death Penalty.

I cannot take on the responsibility of taking another life—killing God’s creation. I pray that abolishing the Death Penalty is a first step in world peace, the healing of the nations.

Because we are not perfect and all-knowing, only God should cast down the judgment.

Thank you for your work on this issue.  I see a connection between the violence in our world and the violence in our justice system. 

Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.”

Thanks for the opportunity to address this issue in this manner.

I am glad that we have chosen as a conference to take on this issue.

Please send a copy to President George W. Bush as soon as possible, preferably while he is still in  Ohio.

Although there is ambiguity about this life and death issue, it is not—for that reason and many others—an issue society should implement.

So long as life imprisonment is an option—which it is—I feel the Death Penalty should be abolished. I agree that there is always hope for forgiveness.

This resolution should have been presented to the Ohio Conference a long time ago!!

Just as we would not rape people who have raped, we should not kill people who have killed.  Life in prison is a much better alternative, particularly in light of all those who have later been cleared.

I think it would strengthen the resolution to put the theological whereas statements at the beginning. The passages used in the morning session would be helpful to include.

Capital punishment should be abolished if only because innocents have been executed. I do not believe that a follower of Christ and his examples can support the Death Penalty.

The Death Penalty is barbaric and innocent persons are sometimes killed.  Also, there is no opportunity for redemption possible.

Our conference must take this stand.  Great presentation this morning and at worship!

Yes, I take issue with parts of the “\whereas” Statement but am in complete agreement with the “resolves” as stated.  Some discomfort with the Tenth “whereas” state assuming that it assumes a pacifist position.

Jesus left ninety-nine sheep to save one lost sheep. If we had killed the errant sheep, there would have been no hope for Jesus to find that sheep, or for the lamb to find some place in that fold. We do not have to take life. I especially like this process—it is neither, up or down, not so ambiguous as discernment.

I agree that everyone should have a chance in life to repent. By choosing to take their life, we choose to allow them no way to repent.

Import issue in our work for justice and our efforts to challenge the evil legacy of racism/white supremacy.

I am enthusiastic about working with the local congregation around this and related issues.  I am also interested in the work of the Conference setting on this important issue. Be it resolved that the UCC will work to encourage true rehabilitation of humans who endanger or destroy life, as well to comfort and honor humans who suffer as a result of such behavior. (This is an important statement for us to make, and undertaking for us to engage in.)

God hand made each of his children.  He set a time for them to be born and set a time for them to die. If you are against the abolition you too should be convicted of murder.

Please send a copy to the media, also the Columbus Dispatch, Religion Editor and other media—Akron Beacon, Dayton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, etc.

Please communicate the vote to Governor Taft.  Thanks to the committee.

“Let your yes be yes, and your no, no”—I prefer a simple yes/no vote. This Seven-Tier system would have more insight if responses that were stronger counted for more, and that would be unwieldy. Thanks!

What we do about this is more important than what we say.

I appreciate having so much relevant information given to us in the booklet for the Annual Gathering.

How do we resolve to ban Death Penalty and do nothing to even discourage premarital sex—abortion?

1. In the Ninth “whereas,” imprisonment with possibility of parole also protects society.  This version suggests that we are advocating life without parole as the only alternative.

2. Even if it were applied equally and only to the guilty, we would still oppose it. It would still be just another murder.

I’m not God, and I won’t pretend to be. I do not under any circumstance have the right to take the life of another human being.

I would hope implementation would go through in a manner in cooperation with local churches.

Only God has the power to give and take life.  Suicide is wrong in the eyes of God, as is murder. Killing of those who commit crimes, no matter how terrible, is a sin. 

Finally!!!!!

This resolution is one which I have labored over in my own church settings.

“And they will know we are Christians by our love!” Thank you CSEA church members for sponsoring this!

Revenge is not justice

I don’t want one more execution to happen in my name.

The Ohio Conference needs to organize to implement with vigor.

This energizes me and gives me hope for the Church as an institution.

More reasons for abolition could have been added to this resolution, but it would have been too long. This is an action that we should have taken up twenty years ago.

Thank you for this process!

Now let’s move on to abolishing unjust war.

I’m against violence in any form! 

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to consider and discuss this topic.

I’m thankful for the many appeals to the Gospel voiced today.

Having been on Death Row himself, Jesus would certainly oppose the Death Penalty.  I want to be like Jesus.  I oppose the Death Penalty as well. 

Mostly Agree  (55 responses)

In some cases it may be a question of justice rather than revenge. It may not always be revenge.

Thanks to the spirit team for an inspiring presentation. Capital punishment is grossly unfair.

I believe that our stance should be based solely on the fact that the Death Penalty is abhorrent to God and is never justified!

While I oppose capital punishment, I am troubled by some of the “whereas” statements which would seem to be added for inflammatory purposes rather than because it is wrong to take anyone’s life.  To protect society, the state can imprison without the possibility of parole.

I admire your presentation. Not all murders get life sentences.  Some are released. Not all of them are rehabilitated.  Some admit they will do it again. Others seem to be past violent behavior and do it again.  Yes, I forgive—but some cannot be helped enough to be beyond such behavior. I don’t believe in death, but am concerned about citizen's safety if this sentence is repealed. I love my enemies.  I also love my neighbors.  Not all, only most, are rehabilitated.

I am concerned about the confusion that may be engendered by including the race issue in the Death Penalty issue. Race inequality is a problem, but perhaps that could be addressed separately since it is broader (even in the judicial system) than the Death Penalty.

In the second “whereas” I think the word “heinous” should be stricken and I think it is grammatically correct to use “who” instead of “whom.”

Agree that no one should have the right except God to take someone’s life.

I support this resolution primarily because of the imperfect nature of our justice system. However, I also believe that a “pro-life” position at this point of life calls into question our thinking about abortion.  I do not favor ending abortion, but our one witness is on shaky ground when it is based more on a justice question for women and less on a theology of life for any human.

Two wrongs don’t make a right!

I had already decided my stance on the Death Penalty—my concern is the lack of information available for the opposition.  It didn’t allow undecided voters to make a fully informed decision.

I appreciated all the comments during the discussion.  It was measured and attempted to have all of us listen and grow in our understanding.

No one is perfect—especially our government and courts.

I agree that we, the Church in the United Church of Christ, are called to live out a gospel of life, which recognizes the God given value of every life.  Yet, if we affirm that each person’s life is considered sacred, including persons on Death Row, then we must be bold and affirm the sacredness of life of the unborn who are slaughtered by abortion.  We in the UCC must be bold in raising the prophetic voice against the senseless state mandated executions of both Death Row inmates and the unborn through abortion.

Agree Enough to Support  (44 responses)

First and last “whereas” paragraphs are appropriate and sufficient.  The others are pragmatic and/or secular, and therefore not appropriate for citation by the church.

 If a person takes another person’s life, and is tried/convicted/found guilty, do we kill that person or let them live. Perhaps it is more punishment to let the person live with their guilt than to end I via the Death Penalty.  I could not make that decision.

The prison system is not doing the task of correction.

The resolution will further help Ohio .  In an effort to help eliminate the Death Penalty God will be satisfied.  We shouldn’t decide a person’s fate.

I am concerned about the protection of law officers. I believe that the murder of law officers should remain a capital offense. I do support a moratorium until serious injustices can be addressed.

After reading the resolution I can support it, but I need to continue deep introspection and spiritual examination to accept it completely!  I hope I can accept it, with God’s help! The trauma of having a family friend and her neighbor murdered by the jealous, jilted married lover of her single sister-in-law haunts me to this day—fifty years after the heartbreaking event!!

 Would like more discussion/education on issue.

I agree because anything is better than killing.

My concern is that there is, in this resolution and accompanying documents, that the Death Penalty would be okay if the judicial and social inequities could be resolved.  Taking life, capital punishment, murder, abortion, etc. is wrong. Thank you!

You can quote Scripture to support each side of this issue. Killing is repugnant, in law or war.  I am not yet a person who can forgive cold blooded murder.  But I know God can.  I am unsure.  In my youth I opposed the Death Penalty.  As an old woman, I do not completely oppose it.

Much more information and study needs to be presented before a final decision can be made.  I am generally in favor of abolishing the Death Penalty but there are no easy issues and absolutes are dangerous.

 As the Death Penalty and the justice system in America has never affected me personally, I had no real side on this issue, but from a religious standpoint I think it is in the Church’s best interest to pursue abortion in on the problems of capital punishment.  I do not see the first resolve to have much bearing on our case.  One thing at a time. 

I need to be against war, then also abortion, euthanasia.

However, each of us must bear responsibilities for our actions.

The Death Penalty is morally wrong.  I wish the resolution was better written.  I think the resolution is against the Death Penalty because it is not administered fairly.

Omit “heinous” and “whom are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27;9:6)” from the second “whereas”—counterproductive language to political powers.  Omit “based on economics and race” from fifth “whereas.” Omit completely the Sixth “whereas”—statistics are demographically produced. Not too valid an argument for the case. If passed, this will be presented to politics. Therefore, it should be non-confrontational.

Too many have been put to death only to be proved later that they were innocent.

If it could be fairly and not improperly applied, I would support the Death Penalty in certain instances.

I am in favor of all parts of the resolution besides the first which deals with economics and racial biases. Since when do criminals reflect the percentages of population ethnicity?  If more European Americans are guilty of murder than African Americans, I would accept the punishment in that segment of the population to be greater, and vice versa.

Many of the “whereas” statements (as written without supporting data) seem to me to be a bit inflammatory as written.  I would prefer this resolution were more Scripturally based than secular based for reasons to oppose the Death Penalty.

I vote for the resolution—against the Death Penalty—because God and we are situational.  But, until we have the mind and eye of God—we will be flawed and only God will be truly just.  Until we get it right—which we shan’t, then we as a Church cannot condone society’s use of capital punishment.

No Opinion   (8 responses)

How can we say we forgive and then put them to death?  On the other hand—an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth?

This resolution may ignore the righteous aspect of God, teaching only his love and grace. Therefore, a balance may be lacking.

I think it is critical that we call upon our congregations to do their local work on this (as well as all issues).  If we do not call upon the churches to do our grass roots' work, our voice as a conference is diminished.  I think our congregational polity is not regarded in such resolutions.

It depends on the crime.

More education is needed on this resolution.

Information in opposition should be included in the packet.

Disagree Enough Not to Support  (26 responses)

In #10 “whereas” get rid of the “or lawful” and I’ll say “yes!” and “amen!” This would make it a more truthful statement about how God would have us live and give greater guidance to our congregations and the state of Ohio.

I disagree the form of the resolution and not the issue.  If any of the purported facts of the resolution are in error, the resolution will lose credibility.

Must remember innocent victims; Alton Coleman took the lives of multiple victims.                                            

I would feel better if I was sure the hardened killers would be warehoused in stark, basic housing.

Two – delegates voting the same.  My Aunt and Uncle’s father were beaten to death at his place of business. I have not forgotten it—the killer remains free. I can’t support it, and yet I do have earnest heart-felt feelings for those who do such horrible crimes.

What about second time offenders, those who may be released due to overcrowding?

Any use of statistics can be skewed in any direction the user wants, so the stats don’t convince me much. While God gives and takes life we also, as a people, must have a sense of outrage and responsibility. With current DNA testing, doubt is less likely on guilt or innocence.

There should not be “revenge”—justice should be served.  Juries determine reasonable doubt.

I cannot vote for until I am sure where I stand. I remember those 3,000 innocent victims in New York and Washington D.C. and wonder how God can’t somehow have revenge for those who create such horrible acts.

I’m not sure being in our prison system is better than death.

I don’t have enough information about what the country or state plans to do about releasing the killer.

Sanctity of life should be all encompassing and include war, official statement of where life begins.  Scripture needs a more balanced treatment.

There are a limited number of times I may be able to justify the Death Penalty.

As a retired teacher, I have seen what happens where there is no discipline.  Without the Death Penalty we are giving loaded guns to hundreds with no penalty for their actions.

I am not for the Death Penalty—but I believe that the resolution needs to be revisited in terms of its language.  We should not be against the Death Penalty because of any statistical anomalies we discover, but rather because it is wrong on a moral basis. At times, life in prison is a far greater punishment than death.

There are conditions that warrant the Death Penalty.

Needs to be cleaned up—made narrower.  Exclude racial bias as reasoning.  Balance it more.

The resolution seems so absolutist.  What about Timothy McVeigh or a terrorist who threatens our national well being?  It does not seem balanced but simplistic in saying no Death Penalty.

I believe God is a situational God.  While the New Testament instructs us to turn the other cheek, it does not tell us to forfeit our free will.

Mostly Disagree  (13 responses)

Our society is not Christian in its character, nor should we Christians demand it to be so.  By majority our penalties are determined by legislation, and that should remain the case!  We are secular as well as religious; and in this situation, I believe “Secular Wisdom” should prevail. 

God can forgive a person for his evils done.  However, this does not mean that he does not get punished for his wrong doing.

Whereas, I appreciate having seven options to select in this new process, in the end nothing has changed.  We will still end up calling the resolution “passed” if the majority is in favor.

Whereas, the information in favor of the resolution is detailed, if this is a process of discerning truth and is to be just, then we must present the other side of the issue.  The process is flawed.

My vote reflects the majority view of our congregation.

“Rehab” is the key!

Money? Costs? Eliminate appeals, two people for one hour to carry out a sentence (when no doubt of guilt). Life in prison, have killer’s family, church, etc. pay for housing, meals, medical care, etc.  See how long they wish to support.

Completely Disagree  (9 responses)

There is no Scriptural basis for the abolition of the Death Penalty.  Scripture, rather, says that God gives the authority to govern to men.  We should honor the authorities, it says, and respect them (and pray for them).  They are there for our good.  I Peter 1:13-17.  This is not a time to “emotionalize” this issue as the spirit team from CSE has done.

There is a time where we must allow the death.  Some people just can’t be saved, but should be limited to those.  I also feel that this is something the Church should remain out of.