Side Bars – R.L. Dabney on Secular Conservatives – Rethinking Public Schools – The Bible and Private Property – The Bible and Possession Laws – Deuteronomy 4:5-9 – Lord Acton Quote – The Bible and Gambling – Closing Exhortation – Our Obligations – The Purpose of Civil Government

Ballot Recommendations Summary Measure 54 Measure 55 Measure 56 Measure 57 Measure 58 Measure 59 Measure 60 Measure 61 Measure 62 Measure 63 Measure 64 Measure 65 Measure 66 Measure 67

PEAPAC Information Help Us Expand Get a Political Tax Credit

Measure #61
Changes Minimum Sentences For Listed Crimes, Including Certain Repeat Offenses

Result of “Yes” vote:
"Yes" vote changes minimum sentences for listed crimes, including certain repeat offenses.

Result of “No” vote:
"No" vote retains present sentencing statutes and guidelines for listed crimes, including repeat offenses.

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. Already, much wrangling is going on over where to put Oregon’s next prison. But Measure 61, according to official State estimates, would “require 4,300 new prison beds by 2006, with direct state expenditures for prison construction and start-up of $470 million by 2006.”

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. Other nations carry out speedy death sentences for crimes like violent rape and murder. As a result, they require far fewer prison beds. 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. This is seen from texts such as Deut. 19:12, which tell the judges not to pity the murderer, but to put him to death. 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.

This voters' guide produced by Parents Education Association, PAC.