Coalition of Arizonans to Abolish the Death Penalty has unveiled a poster of Jesus Christ's crucifixion to oppose the death penalty. The poster will be displayed in churches, particularly during Easter week.

[The poster] depicts Jesus Christ's crucifixion as an example of how innocent people are executed in imperfect justice systems.

....The first church to display the banner, which shows the crucifixion with the words "Executions Have Always Been Wrong," is Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 1402 N. El Rio Drive. "I felt safe putting it up there," said the Rev. Elwood McDowell, "because I know how the congregation feels about the issue."

Because these are the days preceding Easter, called Holy Week, the CAADP chose to unveil the poster Monday. This raises a theological question, because Christians believe Jesus died to save humanity.

"The intended message is that it's just unconscionable that we could execute people in a very fallible criminal justice system that makes mistakes," McDowell said. "And I don't understand how we can get a perfect system.

"And I hope that it makes people feel since he forgave his executioners, those of us who have been victimized, as painful and as horrible as it is, we can still find a way to forgive."

You can view the poster by clicking on the link to the article.