[chroma]

I'm pretty sure that verse allows slavery. It forbids kidnapping and enslaving people, but if someone is born a slave, buying and selling them is fine. Fortunately, I don't have to be an expert on the Bible to argue this point. If the Bible's anti-slavery position was so clear, why did it take almost two millennia for theologians to figure that out?

Also, do you really endorse that verse? That is: Do you think we should institute the death penalty for the crime of kidnapping? If not, why not? "Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death," is as explicit and unambiguous as it is possible to be.

[crazy_geek]

> Also, do you really endorse that verse? That is: Do you think we should institute the death penalty for the crime of kidnapping?

Let me turn it around: If someone stole you and sold you, or stole your child and sold them for a slave, what do you think the penalty should be? Justify your answer.

[dalke]

Not death. I'll be fine with whatever the Swedish court system decides.

It is not the role of the victim to determine the punishment. That would make a mockery of the rule of law.

Consider the Amish, who "believe that bringing litigation in a court of law violates their understanding of nonresistance. They view litigation as a coercive means and thus counter to their beliefs against using violence." http://amishamerica.com/why-dont-amish-sue/

Those of other faiths may have similar reasons for not punishing a criminal, like a Buddhist who has made a vow to not to harm others.

Still others believe in an eye-for-an-eye, even if Jesus said to turn the other cheek, and may want a harsher than average punishment.

And of course there are people with no kin who can make that judgement about the punishment due, should they be murdered.

In the court system you envision, you'll end up encouraging people to attack Buddhists, Amish, etc., knowing that they'll be treated more gently than usual give the refusal of their victims to pass any judgement.

To add to that, most child kidnapping by far is done by family members. I do not think that state-mandated death of one of the parents is a reasonable response if that parent should kidnap the child from the other parent.

Yet that seems to be what the Bible verse says is appropriate.

Now that the turned-around question is answered, perhaps you'll care to answer chroma's original question? That being:

"Do you think we should institute the death penalty for the crime of kidnapping? If not, why not? "Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death," is as explicit and unambiguous as it is possible to be.""