Terrible consequences

If our cultural ancestors, the ancient Athenian Greeks, never knew Jesus as their personal savior, they did at least get a few things right. They knew that “an eye for an eye” is not a true definition of justice. If every just sentence must be executed to the full, to the letter, where will we find mercy? Blood of course cries for blood. But it is at the urging of three mad sisters that men seek to slake that thirst. Call them Eumenides if you can, the Kindly Ones, and try to talk nice. Their real name is Fury and their work is vendetta. It knows nothing of “closure.”

An important civic holiday in old Athens was the Bouphonia, the “Ox-killing.” It was essential for the welfare of the city that the beast be sacrificed; however, it had been raised as a sort of surrogate god. Killing it would be a serious pollution.

A trail of tasty tidbits was laid to entice the bull into the temple, up to the altar where whole cakes lay, tempting yet dedicated. The poor misled beast could then easily be accused of desecration, offering simple excuse for his slaughter.

It was still a dreadful thing to do, though. The men who employed the axe and knife dropped their implements after the deed and fled town. The weapons were then duly tried, condemned and flung into the sea so the citizens could enjoy their barbecue with clear conscience.

Such carryings-on are easily ridiculed, and were. But behind the buffoonery is an important awareness: No matter how necessary a killing may be deemed, it has terrible consequences. They can be deflected or deferred, but not denied.

STANLEY G. JOHNSON Little Rock