Your weekend editorial and op-ed pages (BDN, July 14-15) offered a wealth of provocative and informative material; the piece that really resonated with me was Robert Reno’s “O’Connor’s epiphany” because I have thought long and sadly on America’s reluctance – perhaps better labeled America’s refusal – to join other civilized nations in abolishing a punishment so final and badly administered that many on death row have been found to be innocent after years of imprisonment because of inadequate legal assistance, misapplied prosecutorial zeal or false testimony of witnesses.

What I find most appalling is “supporting the notion that the death penalty is good for America even when it involves the execution of teen-agers and the mentally retarded.”

It’s especially galling to me when it is voiced by those who claim to be Christians. In my belief Christianity is the conviction that the essence of my faith lies in redemption not damnation. Jesus preached that there is “More rejoicing in heaven over one lost sheep that is found…” It helps me to understand Gandhi’s statement that he loved our Christ but not all Christians. An imitation of Christ would be in order; He came, not as an avenging angel but as our redeemer.

Anne B. McNally

Searsport