Reply To: Capital Punishment

nfgo3–

The defilement of Jewish war casualties and captives by Arabs outrages us, but doesn’t cause us to reconsider anything. Even in cases where there is nothing left of the physical body, such as Holocaust victims R”L, the neshoma remains and the olam ha’emes and techiyas ha’maisim will be forthcoming.

The defilement of terrorists’ bodies is morally repugnant to our sense of decency. Simply to abuse the bodies of one’s enemies to degrade them instead of giving postmortem respect goes against our humanity. But that isn’t what “oomis” is suggesting.

Terrorists, especially suicide bombers, are largely inspired (or if you prefer, brainwashed) to act based on the premise that after they die committing their action they will find themselves in whatever their version of heaven and the afterlife are. AFAIK, they also believe that being buried with a pig’s carcass will prevent their heavenly ascension. I wonder myself what Israel’s reason is for not threatening to bury every suicide bomber or other terrorist who dies in an attack with a pig carcass. It actually seems more fair to me than demolishing the houses of relatives.

Are there factors I’m not considering? Definitely. I’m sure Israel, which must actually contend with terrorism, has considered this and rejected it for a reason.

daniela–

My post to “nfgo3” applies to you as well.