Christians, Crime, and Lawyers, Oh My!

Headlines: Don't Police Have to Tell Me My Rights? - lewrockwell.com

Excerpt from this article:

"Many people believe that they can “beat the case” if the officer doesn’t read them their Miranda rights during an arrest. This is a myth. The only time an officer must read a person his or her Miranda rights is when: (1) the person has been placed under arrest, AND (2) the officer is about to question the person about a crime."
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 If you are a non-Christian and you are arrested or accused of a crime by a police officer, the smartest thing you can do is say: "I want a lawyer." And then shut up until the lawyer arrives.

But that is not the advice I would give to a Christian who gets arrested or accused of a Crime. First of all, a Christian should be the last person to be accused of a crime (unless it is for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex couple, telling people that homosexuality is a sin, bringing a Bible to school, teaching kids that Hell is a real place where non-Christians will spend eternity, Or homeschooling their children. Otherwise, Christians should follow the teachings of the Bible which says:

"Obey every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake." - 1 Peter 2:13 (see also Romans 13:1-7).

But in the (hopefully rare!) cases where a Christian backslides and commits a serious crime, they should take responsibility for their action - even if that means going to jail or prison. I've heard well meaning Christians say things like: "If you've confessed your sins to God - and you meant it - God has already forgiven you." Maybe that will work. But then again, maybe it won't.

John the Baptist turned away the religious leaders of his day who wanted him to baptize them. He said "O Generation of Vipers, Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits meet for repentance."   (Matthew 3:78).  I'm certainly no John the Baptist, but I would tell Christians who have committed a crime (and never been caught) that they should stop by their local police station, ask to speak to an officer, and make a full confession (after they have waived their Miranda Rights!).

Just my opinion.

Recommended sermon:

When Government Tries to Be God, by Dr. David P. Murray

Lawyers Are Killing Themselves - But Why?

Lawyers Are Killing Themselves - But Why? - newser.com

"Overworked and burdened by a mix of worries unique to their profession, lawyers have a growing tendency to kill themselves—and bar associations are just beginning to grapple with it, CNN reports. Eight of the nation's 50 associations are trying to stop the pattern after South Carolina lost six lawyers in an 18-month period, Oklahoma had a spate of losing one a month, and Kentucky saw 15 commit suicide since 2010."
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Question: What do you call 1000 lawyers at the bottom of the lake?
Answer: A good start!

Sorry! No one should ever joke about suicide, but I think America would be a better place if there were a lot less lawyers. 

"As a young lawyer
From the books that I'd read,
I thought justice and law were the same.
But I soon put such juvinile thoughts from my mind,
And I studied the rules of the game!"
- Author unknown

Recommended reading:

Prosac Nation: Young and Depressed in America, by Elizebeth Wurtzel
Mean Justice: A Town's Terror, A Prosecutor's Power, A Betrayal of Innocence, by Edward Hume

Recommended podcasts:
What Does the Bible Say About Suicide? Does God Forgive Suicide? - Part 1 by Michael Bohmn
What Does the Bible Say About Suicide? Does God Forgive Suicide? - Part 2 by Michael Bohmn
Why Are So Many Pastors Committing Suicide? by Pastor Sean E. Harris