DIV4/6: CHRISTIAN POSITION ON MOB JUSTICE

CHRISTIAN POSITION ON MOB JUSTICE

Largely Christianity/ the church does not support the act of mob justice because of the following reasons;

• To Christians mob justice is bad as it’s a sign of cruelty, brutality, inhuman and generally a sign of misuse of power. Even our Lord Jesus clearly condemned in the instance where he saved the woman caught in adultery from being stoned to death as their law stated (John :1-11)
• In the Christian sense mob justice is condemned because it indicates lack of love and kindness to our dear brothers and sisters yet Christianity centers on the spirit of love for one another as Paul ……………his letter to the Corinthians teaches that love is patient and kind which is not exhibited through mob justice (1 Cor 13)
• The act of mob justice is wrong in the Christian sense since it lacks respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life as it involves torturing of the suspect/victim. The bible teaches man was created in the image of God (Gen 1:26) and so should preserve it.
• The Christian position on mob justice is that it isn’t supported since sometimes the act is administered to innocent people. This has been noted in many town areas like Kampala where suspects are at times undressed.  Many times motor cyclists have also killed suspects of killing their comrades who hire then and later are killed.

• Christians do not agree with mob justice because its an illegal way of punishing victims. In fact many times even if the victim was a serial criminal suspects who may have killed him rare arrested and tried by law. This is one reason as to why the police has always been on high alert for clashes like between Banyoro and Bakiga and the 11^th Nov 2016 clashes in kasese where over 100 people killed (Charles Wezire Mumbere clashes)
• In most cases mob justice results into murder which to Christians is a sin before God that is why many Christians condemn it. Its biblically written that anyone who spills the blood of a person created in God’s image should himself be dealt with equal.  (Gen 9:6)
• Mob justice to Christians is condemned because it shows the failure of the society to its duties. The elders who are biblically commanded to take care of the flock are failing to play their role as stipulated in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 6:4 or 1 Peter 5.

• The act of mob justice is condemned biblically because it shows man capturing god’s power. Christians know that it is only God who has the right over one’s life and death.
• The Christians support the idea of guidance and counseling other than acting with anger. Its true some people commit mob justice under influence of drugs.  But counseling them is a better solution.
• Christians are against the act of mob justice because the suspect is denied a fair trial in courts of law as expected. The book of Acts 25:16 calls for one to have self defense if convicted.
• Christians do not agree with mob justice because two wrongs cannot make one correct thing. So if one killed your member and you recite by killing him too, still it does not restore the life of your member instead there should be a sign of forgiveness other than revengeful minds.
• Mob justice is condemned by Christians because it sometimes causes more riots between the side of the offended and those who carry out mob justice. This generally happens between different religions or tribes or between two competing schools.
• Christians are against mob justice because it undermines the work of the police unit and judiciary which have to work hand in hand to implement the law. In the book of Romans 13 Paul clearly calls for respect for civil leadership because it drives its power from God.
• The position of Christians over mob justice is no because God is our only judge. He has never assigned any other person to judge on his behalf. So Christians should suggest that believers should follow the teachings of James in his letter 4:11-12 which says that you should not judge others so as you too may not be judged.  Even St. Paul refrained Corinthians from judging one another.