I don’t believe that at all. I’m sorry for tons of things I’ve done, most of which went unpunished. Hell, I’m also sorry for all the things I didn’t do that I should have done just as much.
But then, I was raised Catholic.
I don’t believe that at all. I’m sorry for tons of things I’ve done, most of which went unpunished. Hell, I’m also sorry for all the things I didn’t do that I should have done just as much.
But then, I was raised Catholic.
There is no definitive ‘north’ for a moral compass to point too, as such, whether or not a punishment fits a crime is subjective.
For example:
It is common for forceless, unarmed, bank robbery of a few hundred dollars (example: threatening note passed to teller) to earn an automatic 20 years in a federal prison. White color crime has reached an all new diabolical level (Enron, Worldcom) which has resulted in at least one 20 year sentence I can think of.
A quick look at the negative effects of each crime:
Forceless bank robbery: Teller is surely scared, could develop PTSD from the event. It’s possible they might not be able to continue working around large sums of money. He/she might need intensive counseling or therapy afterwards. Bank looses a few hundred dollars that is federally insured (this makes all taxpayers victims in a way, but that’s a stretching it a bit).
Swindling millions out of retirement/pensions = Impacting thousands upon thousands of lives in ways that continue to snowball. Hundreds of people will be forced to continue working longer than might be physically safe, healthcare will be reduced, may not be able to afford housing, etc… etc… No amount of counseling or therapy will undo the damage done to these families.
So let’s say I committed the forceless bank robbery… I personally would feel real sorrow and regret that I scared a bank teller, especially if it caused anything like PTSD. I believe stealing is morally wrong, and I I would feel sorry about taking something that wasn’t mine. Would I be convinced that I deserve to stay locked up for 20 years for stealing less than the amount it takes to buy a decent Hi-Def TV??? No. I believe I would feel real sorrow and regret for what I did, but I would definitely feel like I was on the end of an unfair prison sentence.
Now if I committed an “enron”, knowing I stole the retirement from thousands of people, literally to the point where they would suffer the effects until they died… I would not be bitching about an unjust or unfair prison sentence. I would feel like a living piece of shit, and truly believe I was getting what I deserved. I’m not a moral enough person to refuse a “get out of jail free” card, I would totally take an early parole if offered, but I would do so knowing I did not deserve it.
But that’s just me.
If someone has caused harm to another person or people, I believe there is a compulsion to make restitution for that for repentance/atonement to be achieved. This includes both repairing any material harm (ie returning stolen money, repairing a house damaged by arson, etc) and repairing emotional harm. But I also believe the requirement for “punishment” stops there.
Bullshit. People have the urge to confess all the time, and fight against it because while confessing would ease their consciences, they still fear the consequences.