...throughout the history. The early Christians opposed to the death penalty as well as they opposed to the state. This attitude started changing when Christianity became an official religion. The Catholic Church as a power structure began utilizing all the repressive mechanisms inherent in a political formation. The clerical scholars started setting a theological basis to justify the murder. The inquisition became an instrument of the political suppression. Today, the Catholic Church changes the attitude to death penalty anew, retracing to early Christian positions. This paper analyzes the evolution of the Catholic thought on the issue of the death penalty. The early Christian Church opposed the death penalty, regarding it as the violation of the sixth commandment “thou shall not kill”. The teaching of Christ renounced the lex talionis tradition of the Old Testament which commanded to pay an equal price for a damage done (the principle known as “an eye for an eye”). The Old Testament distinctly orders to put to death a man who kills another man (Exod 21:12). On the contrary, at the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preaches: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:38-39). Apart from Christ's teaching, some books of the New Testament include controversial episodes that report on the death punishment practice in the early...
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...CAPITAL PUNISHMENT The concept of capital punishment/death penalty forces Christians and non-Christians alike to question their morality. The idea that humans have the right to take life from those whom society have deemed undeserving of one is of constant debate. Many Christians find it easy to accept this practice for the worst of criminals. So one is left to question rather this practice of “an eye for an eye” as described in the Holy Scripture is appropriate or if it is just outright murder (sin). My perspective lies somewhere in the middle. On one hand I do not believe any human being has the right to take another’s life, yet on the other hand, there are some crimes so heinous that there seems to be only one appropriate punishment. In this paper I will examine the Christian perspective, practical applications and moral implications. DEATH PENALTY AND MORALITY Some people believe that if there were no death penalty than our country would fall into anarchy. The death penalty, in their mind seems to be moral in the sense that it treats the defendant as a “free moral actor” in control of his/her own destiny. Dr. Ernest Van Den Hagg of Fordham University is an outspoken advocate of the death penalty. He stated that "Common sense, lately bolstered by statistics, tells us that the death penalty will deter murder... People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death... life in prison is less feared. Murderers clearly...
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...that affects the United States in many ways, and even to a larger extent the world. Many industrialized nations have forgone capital punishment as a tool in their criminal justice system. In the United States, 38 states still have provisions in their penal code that allow capital punishment in various forms, in various circumstances and with various populations. Capital punishment--death penalty--is argued by both sides of the issue for diverse reasons. The death penalty may be opposed by some by stating it is considered cruel and unusual punishment (which is in violation to our Constitution). Others would argue that because our legal system is not perfect we should not risk putting to death someone who may be innocent. On the reverse side, the two most common reasons to support the death penalty would be first, it is a just punishment and acts as a deterrent for further crimes that meet that nature. Still others argue the "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" argument; which is biblically based but certainly out of context in this argument. An important question is "where might a Christian come down on this issue?" The answer is not as easy as one might expect. This pastor will attempt to answer that very question using The Sermon on the Mount, and additionally the texts, Ethics, Choosing The Good and evangelical ethics. The expectation is that a conclusion will be raised however as Davis quoted Geoffry Bromiley, "The commands of God have to be worked out in the stuff...
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...Christian Reasons to Oppose the Death Penalty Mainstream and Conservative Christian Theology Strongly Opposes the Death Penalty Presentation to the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation’s Committee for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Glen Anderson (360) 491-9093 glen@olywa.net ------------------------------------------------- 1. Jesus’ two experiences with the death penalty: (A) The woman being stoned. (B) His own execution under the law ------------------------------------------------- 2. Other biblical insights into murder and the death penalty ------------------------------------------------- 3. The basic Christian principles of forgiveness and grace ------------------------------------------------- 4. Quotations ------------------------------------------------- 5. Resources 1. Jesus’ two direct experiences with the death penalty Jesus confronted the death penalty directly and explicitly twice in his life, and both times he rejected it. (A) The woman being stoned John 8:1-11 says: Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came to the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The scribes and Pharisees brought him a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They set her in the midst and said to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us that she should be stoned, but what do you say? They said this to tempt him so they might be...
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...February 2014 Capital Punishment and Christian Ethics Moral concerns over decisions made of one’s life has played a major factor in Christian opposition to capital punishment (Styers “Capital Punishment...”) Capital punishment will continue to remain a controversial and debatable issue as Americans and as Christians within the United States. All capital offenses require automatic appeals which means that approximately 2,500 men and women are presently on "death rows" awaiting their appeals or death (Wests Encyclopedia). Mankind is created in the image of God, and being created in the image of God means, among other things, that man has been commissioned by God to carry out certain responsibilities, like administering justice (Howard “Christians and Capital Punishment”). According to Kronenwetter, Capital punishment—or death—is generally considered the most terrible penalty society can inflict not only because it is the most violent of all legal punishments, but because it is the most final and complete ( Dieter “Sentencing For Life”). The definition of Capital punishment is “The lawful infliction of death as a punishment; the death penalty” (“Wests Encyclopedia of American Law”). In my opinion, As a Christian man and a citizen of the United States, capital punishment should be handled at state levels and the criminals convicted after a fair trial for a murder should be given the death penalty. As Christians and citizens of the United States, capital...
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...I found Murphy’s essay on Christianity and punishment to be very interesting. It was surprising that most Christians stand in favor of capital punishment. With this idea, Murphey claimed that the act of capital punishment is not Christian. However, those who stand in support of this punishment tend to have radical explanations as to why it is okay. For example, Murphy referenced a quote from Dennis Prager who had a resource in which it completely addressed the Christian value of “thou shalt not kill” and said that as long as the person who is put to death broke the law and the only just thing to do was to use the death penalty then it is okay. Another individual who provided support that the death penalty is okay was Augustine. The difference...
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...The death penalty in the United States and around the World Raul Lopez-Rodriguez Liberty University Online CJUS 230 Professor: Jeffrey Sexton July 31, 2013 Abstract This document explore the advance and disadvantages of the death penalty in the United States. The death penalty has been used by many countries including Europe in the early years of society. In addition, during the years, death penalty has been an option to suppress those who are not so privilege in society. The death penalty crime in those areas, where the Capital punishment is permitted those states are in a higher crime rate. The American Civil Liberties Union has been one of the most important organization in the world in support of many human rights and are against the death penalty. Since, the American Civil Liberties Union gives us; some of the reasons that helps to understand why this punishment does not help to minimize crimes in our society. Although, many lawyers are use or put on the cases to help those in need to be free, there has been many of those lawyers who if they are not paid a good amount of money they will not work hard enough to get them what they deserve which is their liberty. Christianity has not been in support of the death penalty at all and it has been working against the destruction of human beings using the bible as their back up and the Holy Ghost who change people hearts. The death penalty is against the rights of defendant and cannot be...
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...number of countries in the world which sentence criminals to death, and even fewer which actually execute those criminals. But, also looking at this map, one can see that the distribution of these practices is mostly regional. Along with the regional distribution, how does religion play into the disparity between those countries who kill their felons, and those which do not? (Most information in this discussion, and all quotes within, are from each reference on the particular religion listed on the last page.) [pic] Islam The Muslim religion supports capital punishment. But, in the Qur’an, there are only two particular cases where the death penalty is supported: intentional murder, and spreading mischief in the land. The Islamic religion holds harsh punishment as a deterrent for serious crimes. This is the way that this particular religion balances the sacristy of life and punishment of crimes. Also, there is no support for vigilantes, and the court is the only approved way of meting out the punishment. Only courts of law are supposed to carry out this charge, as the “spirit of the Islamic penal code is to save lives, promote justice, and prevent corruption and tyranny.” One could infer from this that Muslims look down on those who take the law into their own hands. In the case of intentional murder, the family of the victim has the option to forgive the perpetrator or to pursue the death penalty which is upheld by the law. However, the Muslim faith encourages...
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...The Death Penalty in Oklahoma Many people are for the death penalty in Oklahoma, while very few are against it. I have never been a supporter of the death penalty. In my opinion, it is inhumane and against the convicted criminals Eighth Amendment right of the government forcing cruel and unusual punishment. The death penalty is meant to be a deterrent to keep people from committing criminal behavior. As you will see with the unusually high number of death row inmates in Oklahoma this is not true. Have our criminals become Guinea pigs for our Justice System to try different methods of execution? Our botched police investigations, and fight for political power have left many questions raised for the number of executed inmates in Oklahoma. We fail to realize all too often that these criminals have rights also. Criminals have a right to a fair trial and a right for the government not to force cruel and unusual punishment on them. The original death penalty law in Oklahoma called for executions to be carried out by electrocution. In 1972, the Supreme Court struck down all existing death penalty statutes. In Furman v. Georgia, the Court ruled that the death penalty as administered was cruel and unusual punishment. Oklahoma rewrote their death penalty statutes to remedy the Supreme Courts concern. The Oklahoma Legislature implemented the current death penalty law in 1977. The method to carry out the execution is by lethal injection. The last execution to be carried out by electrocution...
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...The death penalty was established centuries ago, as far back as the 18th century. Britain had the biggest influence over the United States use of the death penalty. It has been accepted by society ever since. . The first execution was Captain George Kendall in Jamestown colony in Virginia in 1608. He was accused of being a spy for Spain. As of July 2015, in the United States, there were 31 states with the death penalty. In Texas alone the cost to house an inmate is $47.50 per day, $17,340 per year and $693,500 for 40 years. The public defenders office estimates that the legal costs for a death penalty case from indictment to execution are $1.2 million. More politicians are leaning towards abolishing the death penalty, although 60% of...
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...The death penalty has been an inalienable part of human society and its legal system for centuries, regarded as a necessary deterrent to dangerous crimes and a way to liberate the community from dangerous criminals. However, later on this type of punishment came to be regarded as a crime against humanistic ideals by many, and its validity in the legal system has been questioned. Until now, the debate rages on. This resulted in a wide discrepancy of laws on this issue. Some nations including China, the US, Iran, Belarus, and others preserve the death penalty as an option, while others like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and almost all European nations have abolished capital punishment. Still others keep the norm in their legislation’s, but have de facto suspended execution of criminals sentenced to capital punishment. This paper will seek to prove that death penalty has to be preserved as a valid means of prevention serious crimes. It will examine the effect of death penalty on society and its relevance to the protection of interests of common citizens. The history of death penalty is almost as old as the history of mankind. Various means of capital punishment involved burning, hanging, drowning, crucifixion, breaking on the will, boiling to death, electrocution, firing squad, gassing - the list can be continued. The choice of a particular method in Europe in the Middle Age, for instance, depended on the social status of the condemned. Painless and respectable ways were reserved...
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...Yes, I believe in the death penalty. Criminals that have spent years in prison sometimes can turn very heartless and some will never change. I think the death penalty should be reinstated in the U.K. Sure there are several reasons to why people would be against it, like the fact that an inmate can spend several years on death row and receive trials to try and get them off during their waiting time. And, yes, innocent people could be executed, but it’s not as a big of a number as people make it out to be. The death penalty does deteriorate crime, specifically homicide rates, but when a convicted murderer is released from prison there is a 90%+ chance they will re-commit, only because they have been deprived from the outside world for such a long time and there are new things for them to introduced to, which may intimidate them. But at least when you execute the inmate, it’s one less person regular society has to worry about. People like them that are serving time just don’t change. Just put them to death so they cant terrorize society anymore. Surely, it would be a win win situation anyway, because their suffering would cease as well. The medieval philosopher, Thomas Aquinas made this point very clear: “Therefore, if any man is dangerous to the community and is subverting it by some sin, the treatment to be commended in his execution in order to preserve the common good… Therefore to kill a man who retains his natural worthiness is intrinsically evil, although it may be justifiable...
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...Neese My personal opinion on the death penalty is that it is wrong and too many mistakes have been made. In this paper reasons for a change from its history to its irrelevance will be examined. First as a Christian I cannot agree with the killing of another human being no matter the consequences. Executing a person kills him before the time of their natural death. Some Christians believe that God places people on Earth for a purpose. If we kill them prematurely, then we may be thwarting God's will. Human life has intrinsic value, even if a person has murdered another individual. The death penalty denies the sacredness of human life. Live is so precious that nobody should ever be killed, even by the state. Second as America has evolved so has the way in which society wants to deal with capital punishment. The death penalty has not been shown to be effective in the reduction of the homicide rate. There are some indications that executions actually increase the murder rate. According to Amnesty International more than half the countries in the world have now abolished the Death Penalty in law or in practice (Gill K, 2011). The death penalty puts innocent lives at stake. It is widely recognized that our justice system is not perfect. There are times when people are wrongly accused of crimes or they are not granted fair trials. There is still corruption in our justice system, and bias and discrimination occur. The history of the death penalty like all other aspects of the criminal...
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...Capital Punishment What is Capital Punishment? Capital Punishment which is also known as the Death Penalty. Death Penalty is the infliction of the death penalty as punishment for certain crimes according toDictionary.com. In the following essay will show why Capital Punishment is implemented to our society. Capital Punishment in any form is acceptable according to the following to the following articles will help justify this concept. To some people Capital Punishment would be considered an act of cruel and unusual punishment; while for others it is a system that should be considered needed in all the States in order to keep the country more safe for the people. Many states within the U.S. have performed executions of convicts since the early 1600’s. Views on capital Punishment vary with people in different ways; there are various organizations within the country that have different opinions on the subject, and organizations such as Religions, Political, or Humanitarian have diverse perspectives on the Death Penalty. “The death penalty is also most commonly argued to be a violation of the right to life or of the "sanctity of life." Many national constitutions and international treaties guarantee the right to life. the right to life demands that a life only be taken in exceptional circumstances, such as in self-defense or as an act of war, and therefore that it violates the right to life of a criminal if she or he is executed, since this is purely murder by the State” according...
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...designed to be more ethical and humane in the United States. Whether it is a firing squad, hanging, electric chair, gas chamber, or lethal injection, the death penalty has been a swift solution to deter and resolve crimes. In a recent execution in Oklahoma a problem occurred that led to the 43 minute suffering of Clayton Lockett. The constitution protects the American people from cruel and unusual punishment which is debatable in this case after acknowledging he raped and murdered a young girl. I am a firm believer in the constitution as well as capital punishment and have no moral problem with how this execution was carried out. This botched execution has sparked immense pressure from people to bring an end to the death penalty. It is portrayed as inhumane and unnecessary especially when it does not go as planned. The people arguing against capital punishment claim that it costs upwards of $4.2 million dollars per death sentence and is cheaper to simply imprison them (To Execute or Not). Money is the main reason behind many states not utilizing the death sentence. The death penalty may also put innocent lives at risk of being executed. The innocent victims of these heinous criminals will likely feel a great sense of closure by witnessing the execution of the offender. When someone has committed a crime worthy of the death penalty, it is the perfect solution to clean up our society. The real problem with capital punishment in America is the taxing cost both legally and politically...
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