Capital punishment

Interviewer: Let’s tackle another life-and-death issue: capital punishment. Should someone be executed for a heinous crime?
God: As I said before, life is a precious thing, but if someone uses that life to perpetrate great evil, then he forfeits the right to that life. Man was created to live a good life, and if he instead lives an evil one, then he must be willing to accept the consequences. I am for mercy, and mercy is greater than justice. But in the world people are subject to the laws of the land. If people commit, as you put it, heinous crimes, they forsake mercy. Then they must be ready to accept justice, and that justice is that they sometimes have to pay for their actions with their lives. Having therefore stated the general principle, I must also state that the circumstances in each case must be taken into account. Capital punishment is extremely severe, but there are times when it is the only just penalty.
Interviewer: Can You state what type of crimes those would be?
God: Earth’s civilizations, regardless of culture or geographical location, have generally agreed as to what these are. They have generally been those that have caused death or were intended to, or caused extreme pain and suffering to their victims. It is very difficult for Me to speak in more than the most general terms on this issue because again, as I have said, circumstances vary so much from case to case that a blanket statement is impossible.
Interviewer: But You believe that there are times when it is necessary.
God: At times it is the only just sentence.
Interviewer: How would Your seeming ban on capital punishment in the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” fit into all this?
God: That commandment was to individuals, not to the duly-recognized bodies appointed to mete out sentences for crimes committed.
Interviewer: But You say so much in the Bible about forgiveness, that we should forgive those who have sinned against us. You even said that You forgive everyone who asks for it. Are these crimes too monstrous for You and us to forgive?
God: I forgive all those who ask Me. And you as an individual-for your own sake if nothing else-should forgive others who ask for forgiveness. But each one must still face the consequences of his actions.
Interviewer: This seems contradictory.
God: As an individual you have the power to forgive someone who has done you a wrong, even a great wrong. That someone may still have to answer to the state for his actions. That is largely out of your control.
Interviewer: So if someone killed someone who was very dear to me, You are saying that I should forgive the killer? That sounds like an extremely hard thing for me to do.
God: I am not saying it wouldn’t be extremely hard, but if you let bitterness fester in your heart because you don’t forgive him, you will suffer for that. Bitterness will make your life miserable. Revenge and justice-seeking will not heal the wounds. The only way bitterness can be cured is by you making a conscious action to forgive. Bitterness has destroyed many a life-mostly the lives of those who harbor it and the lives of their loved ones.