Civilization

“But if someone strikes and kills another person with a piece of iron, it is murder, and the murderer must be executed.  Or if someone with a stone in his hand strikes and kills another person, it is murder, and the murderer must be put to death.  Or if someone strikes and kills another person with a wooden object, it is murder, and the murderer must be put to death.  The victim’s nearest relative is responsible for putting the murderer to death.  When they meet, the avenger must put the murderer to death.  So if someone hates another person and pushes him or throws a dangerous object at him and he dies, it is murder.  Or if someone hates another person and hits him with a fist and he dies, it is murder.  In such cases, the avenger must put the murderer to death when they meet. [Numbers 35.16-21]

I spent some time today studying the violent crime and incarceration statistics of the United States.  It is mind-boggling.

I cannot help but believe if the Justice system as a whole implemented more intolerance for violent crime as indicated above, then there could possibly be a reduction in the number of such crimes.

The oddity of it all is that although "civilization" can be attributed to a society's move away from capital punishment, it has not deterred crimes worthy of capital punishment.

The same goes for corporal punishment - if we are so advanced civilly that corporal punishment is not acceptable, why then have the actions requiring corporal punishment not decreased (but instead worsened)?

"Civilization" is a funny thing.

Father, it seems obvious to me that when crime is not punished appropriately, then it only escalates.  How do Your mercy and grace factor into modern civilization?