Who Died and Made Alex DeCroce God?

by: Juan Melli

Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 12:24:22 PM EST

In an op-ed in support of the death penalty in the Record this weekend, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce explains that the religious beliefs of those opposing capital punishment does not justify abolishing the death penalty.

Many have religious and philosophical objections to capital punishment. That is their right, and I respect their opinion. But the majority of New Jerseyans have a different view, otherwise they would not have approved the death penalty amendment to the state constitution.

Less than three months ago DeCroce issued a statement in response to the State Supreme Court's ruling on marriage equality. His only justification for opposing equal rights for all couples was a religious one:

I support the idea that marriage between a man and a woman is a sacred institution that should be preserved.
If a constitutional amendment to protect the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman is put up for a vote in the General Assembly, I will personally support that measure.

You can't have it both ways, assemblyman. You can't on the one hand discredit others' religious arguments and on the other use religion as justification for your own positions.

Juan Melli :: Who Died and Made Alex DeCroce God?

Tags: Alex DeCroce, death penalty, hypocisy, marriage equality, religion, (All Tags)

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Who Died and Made Alex DeCroce God? | 3 comments

Actually, you kind of can ... (0.00 / 0)

In the first one about the Death Penalty, he says that the religious opinion of the minority doesn't matter because the majority disagrees and supported a death penalty amendment to the Constitution.

In the second one about Marriage Equality, he says that he would vote to support a ballot question on an amendment to ban same-sex marriage, implying that he would abide by the majority vote.

Either way, if I read this right, he is saying that the religious opinion should not override the majority opinion.

by: huntsu @ Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 17:50:50 PM UTC

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actually (4.00 / 2)

In the first case, he is selectively ignoring the fact that polls show the majority of the state supports life without parole over the death penalty:

Nearly half of state residents (47%) prefer life imprisonment as the penalty for murder compared to only a third (34%) who would choose the death penalty. This represents a reverse in opinion from six years ago when 44 percent of New Jerseyans preferred the death penalty compared to 37 percent for life imprisonment.

He's cherrypicking popular support as justification to ignore religious beliefs.

In the second instance, his only justification for his position is a religious one. He voted against civil unions, even though polls show overwhelming support for them.

The bottom line is that he doesn't seem capable of putting his personal religious beliefs aside and considering what is best for all of New Jersey.

by: Juan Melli @ Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 18:26:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Re (4.00 / 1)

Oppression - either for religious or any other reason - should not be tolerated. Just because the majority are for oppression doesn't make it right - and I know you agree with that.

I just wonder to what extent this "I'll go along with whatever the majority wants" streak extends - I notice he isn't a Democrat, which is clearly what a majority of New Jerseyans want in office.

I'd have more respect if he'd just say, "I'm weathervane without principles - whatever I think the majority wants, that's the way I'm voting."

by: Thurman Hart @ Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 18:47:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]