Of the proper rule of government, Paul stated that "...rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil." And again, "...he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain..." (Ro 13:3-4). If this mandate for government is followed, we should expect to see evil doers swiftly punished according to their deeds, and others protected from harm by the authorities. Sadly, our governments do not always carry out the duties which God confers upon them. In fact, at times they seem to act contrary to such.

Canadians, and especially those in Ontario, are familiar with the name Paul Bernardo, who was convicted (1995) of murdering Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French, and sentenced to life in prison as a "Dangerous Offender". Bernardo also admitted guilt to numerous rapes and is suspected of other murders. For all this, Bernardo is locked up 23 hours of each day in Kingston Penitentiary, for his own protection from other prisoners. He receives meals in his cell, and who knows what other benefits. God's law regarding murderers, from the time of Moses onward has been, "Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of every man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man." (Gen 9:5-6). Sadly, the Canadian justice system carries a sheathed sword, allowing mass murderers and rapists to live and benefit from our society.

Just recently in the US, Brian Nichols killed 3 people in an Atlanta court (March 11), and is suspected of killing another while on the run. He sits in an Atlanta prison, awaiting charges for these crimes. On March 16, Scott Peterson, convicted for the murder of his wife and unborn son, was sentenced to die by lethal injection. It is expected that Peterson will remain alive for 20 years or more, as numerous appeals are expected to follow. On March 18, John Couey confessed to kidnapping and killing Jessica Lunsford, who went missing from her home on February 23. Couey, after confessing, was placed on suicide watch. All three states (Georgia, California and Florida) have the death penalty, and it is expected that such will be sought for both Nichols and Couey, but their lives will no doubt be extended by appeals, even as Peterson's life will be.

All these have done wickedly, and are deserving of death. Yet the authorities are careful to provide them with safety, nourishment and more. Understand, if Peterson were allowed in the general population at San Quentin State Prison, his life would be quickly extinguished, even as Bernardo here in Canada. The same will be true for Couey once he is sentenced. There are certain crimes that even disgust the general populace of a prison. All these, who should receive the swift strike of justice's sword are benefactors of a system which fails to effectively "...execute wrath on him who practices evil."

In April 2001, Terri's feeding tube was removed in accord with a ruling made by Florida Circuit Judge George W. Greer. The tube was inserted two days later in response to a ruling made by Florida Circuit Judge Frank Quesada. In October 2003, Schiavo's feeding tube was again removed, as instructed by Judge George W. Greer again. This time, Terri was denied food and water for six days, before Florida Governor Jeb Bush commanded the tube be reinserted with the backing of the Florida Legislature's passing of "Terri's Law". Bush's actions were thereafter declared unconstitutional, and again, Judge George W. Greer rendered the decision to again end Schiavo's life via starvation.

The claim is made by Michael Schiavo and his doctors that Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state". I am not a doctor, but from videos I have seen of Terri at www.terrisfight.net, she does not appear to be in a vegetative state. Severely brain damaged, yes, a vegetative state, no. Perhaps Michael Schiavo and the justices who have sought to condemn Terri to death do not consider her current condition to be a state worthy of continued sustenance, but on what basis do these presume to choose life or death for her? We are witnesses here to nothing more than a state sanctioned murder.

What humane person would ever withhold food and water from another? And yet here it is. Inmates deserving of death are receiving better treatment than Terri. Were the state to cease feeding it's inmates, there would be an outcry against the cruelty of such an action, and rightly so. Is it not much more cruel to withhold sustenance from Terri? She has done nothing deserving of death, and yet the courts have appointed her to die by starvation.

We hear reports that Terri is dying comfortably and peacefully. How comfortable and peaceful were those who died of starvation during the recent tsunami which ravaged Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and the region? I am confident that there is nothing "comfortable" or "peaceful" about starving to death.

If she had written a living will, stipulating that she did not want to be kept alive if it required some form of mechanical assistance, then fine. If the husband had come out 15 years ago and said that Terri did not want to continue in such a state, fine. But by waiting 7 years to say so makes his claim suspect at best. It sounds much more like Michael Schiavo's wish that she die than Terri's.

As I write this article, Terri has been without food for 9 days. Doctors believe she could live up to 2 weeks without her feeding tube. Again last night, the court rejected an appeal by Terri's parents, perhaps the final judgment to be passed on this case. Protestors have been outside Terri's hospice through the week, some just wanting to give Terri a drink of water. If they approached, they were arrested. What has society come to, that it is now considered a crime in certain circumstances to give someone a glass of water? The authorities, put in place by God to reward good and punish wickedness have become wicked themselves; even guilty of murder.

Venting, as I have done here, will do nothing to save Terri's life, but hopefully will compel each one of us to pray for those who rule over us. Paul wrote, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." (1 Ti 2:1-2). Friend, we need to pray for the law makers and judges who are to uphold the law. May these take seriously their responsibility before God and man, and choose to do what is right and just.