Criminal Justice Failed General Election
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PEAPAC Recommends: YES

Civil government’s job is to punish sin; while restitution is better than prison, stronger punishment is better than leniency.

Summary

Increases mandatory minimum sentences for various crimes.

Biblical Reasoning

The Bible is quite clear that it is the civil government’s job to punish certain kinds of sins and thus restrain evil (Romans 13). We therefore support this Measure.

In the Bible, property crimes are typically punished by double restitution to the victims (Exodus 22), while a number of more heinous crimes (murder, violent rape, etc.) are punished by death… Deut. 17:13, m speaking of executions, says “And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.” Ecclesiastes 8:11 says “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

Deuteronomy 17:13 — “And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.”
Ecclesiastes 8:11 — “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

Election Results

50%
50%
YesNo

This measure was removed from the ballot before the election due to a signature count dispute, though it had appeared in the Voter’s Pamphlet.

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: This Measure is another in a series of “get tough on crime” Measures. It would increase some prison sentences, and thus create the need for more jail space. We endorse this Measure, and recommend a Yes vote.

PEAPAC Commentary and Recommendation: The Bible is quite clear that it is the civil government’s job to punish certain kinds of sins and thus restrain evil (Romans 13). We therefore support this Measure. However, good Christian men and women may well have some qualms about certain aspects of this Measure which we wish to address.

First, concerns could be raised over an undue reliance on prisons… In the Bible, property crimes are typically punished by double restitution to the victims (Exodus 22), while a number of more heinous crimes (murder, violent rape, etc.) are punished by death… Also, according to the Bible, speedy executions would have a deterrent effect as well. Deut. 17:13, m speaking of executions, says “And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.” Ecclesiastes 8:11 says “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” It is high time to seek speedier enforcement of Oregon’s death penalty provisions. Also, movement to double restitution to the victims of property crimes would help reduce the need for new prison beds.

Having said, that, you can’t beat something with nothing. Until we are able to begin to implement restitution to the victims of property crimes, and speedy executions for murder and violent rape, we are made to rely on imprisonment of offenders. Second, one apparent purpose of this Measure is to further reduce judges” discretion over the penalties that are imposed on criminals. But biblical law seems to give judges latitude over imposition of what some see as the maximum sentences contained in the case laws of the Old Testament… The implication seems to be that, apart from such instructions (i.e. “not to pity”), the judges could decrease the maximum penalties provided in Old Testament case law. While one can sympathize with a dissatisfaction with “soft” judges, the answer in the long term is getting better judges. Until then, however, we support Measures such as this one.

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