Sorry that I didn't see this response until now, but thanks for engaging with me!
"I put a high value on intent when trying to understand a person, but when having to evaluate an action taken intent barely matters to me."
This doesn't specify what kind of (e)valuation.
"As soon as intent comes into play ... there might as well not be punishment for actions."
This suggests the (e)valuation is in regards to punishment. The next question is, what's the point of the punishment? Deterrence, rehabilitation, and/or retribution? And can it apply to an "action" and not a person?
Retribution is almost like chasing a sunken cost, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_cost . I feel encouraging forgiveness is probably one of the best values certain religions can provide. Nonetheless, can this be applied to an action and not a person? Hmm... How does one get a proportionate/similar response or rather "re-action" to, say, killing? Can you kill killing? Not really, it is not alive, and if you were to make it not exist, then it wouldn't be the same thing any more.
Okay, what about rehabilitation? Can you "reform" an action? Not really, once you change it, it is no longer the same action.
Okay, what about deterrence? Can you instill fear into an action? No, not really.
If I seem flippantly pedantic, I don't mean to be. I am trying to illustrate that you can't simply "evaluate an action" outside of the person [EDIT, a few seconds later: at least when it comes to "punishment"].
"I put a high value on intent when trying to understand a person, but when having to evaluate an action taken intent barely matters to me."
This doesn't specify what kind of (e)valuation.
"As soon as intent comes into play ... there might as well not be punishment for actions."
This suggests the (e)valuation is in regards to punishment. The next question is, what's the point of the punishment? Deterrence, rehabilitation, and/or retribution? And can it apply to an "action" and not a person?
Retribution is almost like chasing a sunken cost, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_cost . I feel encouraging forgiveness is probably one of the best values certain religions can provide. Nonetheless, can this be applied to an action and not a person? Hmm... How does one get a proportionate/similar response or rather "re-action" to, say, killing? Can you kill killing? Not really, it is not alive, and if you were to make it not exist, then it wouldn't be the same thing any more.
Okay, what about rehabilitation? Can you "reform" an action? Not really, once you change it, it is no longer the same action.
Okay, what about deterrence? Can you instill fear into an action? No, not really.
If I seem flippantly pedantic, I don't mean to be. I am trying to illustrate that you can't simply "evaluate an action" outside of the person [EDIT, a few seconds later: at least when it comes to "punishment"].