Richard Gere calls for an end to capital punishment

muchlove · November 6th, 2005, 03:23 PM

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Buddhist RICHARD GERE is calling for an end of capital punishment because he believes it robs criminals of the chance to seek redemption.

The PRETTY WOMAN star accepts some murderers and rapists will never find redemption, but he thinks everyone should be given the chance to atone for their sins.

He says, "The reality is I'm 56 years old and I've never been anywhere on this planet where I didn't find people who also didn't have that urge or yearning for transcendence - universal wisdom and compassion, spiritual insight, and enlightenment.

"I never met an animal that didn't respond to love unless it was damaged; it's the same with people. You find damaged people that you just can't get to. They're just so locked off, like serial killers.

"The yearning has been so cut and so buried that maybe in one lifetime it's never going to emerge. But, then again, you never know. That's why I'm so against capital punishment because there's always a possibility of redemption.

"There's always a possibility that the lifetime of horrible deeds will mean something in a transformation to spiritual enlightenment."

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beklah324 · November 6th, 2005, 04:47 PM

I have to agree with Mr. Gere, to some degree.
I always found it to be an ironic situation, or maybe oxymoron..that you are convicted as a person guilty of killing and sentenced to death. So what happens, you are sentenced to death by either a jury or judge (human beings) and the state houses you till your death day (tons of goodies there in jail) and then some body, another human, either pushes the button to electrocute you or injects you with a lethal dose of whatever (My criminology professor would so hate that I'm use simple pathetic words and not the BIIIIG crim words :-P). I just don't get it. It's bad that they killed in malice but it's okay for another human being to execute them because it's serving as punishment??

But I'm just weird like that in my thinking. You may now discuss this as you like :-P ::insert canned laughter and several long pauses of "hmmmmm"s::

slurikaine · November 6th, 2005, 11:23 PM

I disagree with Mr. Gere, but I'm not even going to open that can of worms.

Lobelia · November 6th, 2005, 11:49 PM

I think we should listen to celebrities regarding important issues. They always know best. The rich & famous have such excellent & realistic perspectives.

emcee · November 6th, 2005, 11:55 PM

idealistic, i agree with him but thats because i'm idealistic too

HEY GRIMMLOCK, take note.

calendargurl · November 7th, 2005, 12:08 AM

yea, don't give them the death sentence that way they can sit in a jail cell and be miserable for the rest of their lives!

ourmaninBusan · November 7th, 2005, 12:20 AM

RICHARD GERE CALLS FOR AN END TO THAT DAMN GERBIL STORY

Buddhist and animal lover RICHARD GERE is calling for an end to
that nasty rumor that he once engaged in anal sex with a
rodent -- an adorable rodent, true, but still a rodent.

The PRETTY WOMAN star thinks everyone should be given the chance to
atone for their sins, especially those who are absurdly rich and still
handsome at 48 -- not that he's confessing or anything....

He says, "The reality is I'm 56 -- er, 48, I meant 48 -- years old
and I've never been anywhere on this planet without being pestered about
shoving that goddamn gerbil up my arse...and it didn't even happen.
Ask my wife. Cindy. Carey. Something with a C.

"I never met a reporter who didn't insinuate something about me taking
a paper-towel roller, some vaseline and a children's pet and doing some
absurd bestial ritual that's not even described in comic books, and you
know how depraved some of those manga are..." he said with a wink.

"The yearning has been so deeply buried that maybe in one lifetime it's never
going to emerge. But, then again, you never know. That's why I'm so against
PETA and other animal rights groups that call for capital
punishment because of that sort of thing.

"There's always a possibility of redemption, but not if you buggers don't stop
bringing it up.
"There's always a possibility that the lifetime of horrible deeds done
in the name of pleasure will mean something in a transformation to spiritual enlightenment."
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "For me,
that is. Not for the gerbil. He's pretty much toast."

SVZ · November 8th, 2005, 01:57 AM

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The yearning has been so deeply buried that maybe in one lifetime it's never going to emerge

I can't believe you didn't pick on this one! lol

strikeapose · November 8th, 2005, 02:48 AM

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I just don't get it. It's bad that they killed in malice but it's okay for another human being to execute them because it's serving as punishment??

I agree. The logic confuses me...killing is bad unless we say you can.

I guess the rationale is not the killing part but the revenge part...so killing for individual reasons is not okay but killing for revenge sanctioned by the government is a-okay.

I also agree with Ricardo that maybe people can change and reach some kind of redemption. But they should enjoy their redemptions forever in the privacy of their jailcells til kingdom come.

Teceth · November 8th, 2005, 01:39 PM

The yearning has been so deeply buried that maybe in one lifetime it's never going to emerge.

Does this mean he believes in reincarnation? And if he does, then wouldn't capital punishment be a good thing? After all, if someone has already fucked up this life, then why not hurry them along to their next incarnation so they can start making up for it? Putzing around getting buggered in prison never got anybody enlightened.