Learning Activity 4.4: Capital Punishment In Christianity

Other Christians I previously spoke to believe that, “the killer's actions are irreversible and that such a crime deserves an equal punishment”. These same people would cite the biblical passage that exhorts "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". However, if a crime deserves equal punishment, then why do we not rape the rapist or burn the arsonist? A civilized society must be based on values and principles that are higher than those it condemns. Biblically, we are called to live by higher values. In the New Testament, Jesus said that we may have heard it said "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" but He instructed us to "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:38-41) to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-45), to obey the Ten Commandments which tell us not to kill (Exodus 20:13) and not to put ourselves into the position of God by judging whether others live or die (John 8:7). Vengeance and retribution are to be left to God, who is the only One with the perfect capabilities of judgment. If the argument is that serious crimes

Many of those who argue against the morality of the death penalty tend to be backed by Christian beliefs. However, the Bible argues that justice needs to be fair and to the point. “Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (The Holy Bible, Deuteronomy 19:21). This quote argues that is it fair to take life from someone if they have taken someone else’s life, and that justice should be viewed as ‘getting even’. With all things considered, this way of thinking seems completely justified, Another argument of those who are concerned about the morality of the death penalty is that lethal injections are inhumane. In reality, death by lethal injection is one of the most fair and most humane ways to die. “Lethal injections work by first rendering the individual unconscious, and then by using the chemical potassium chloride to stop the victim’s heart” (Lethal Injection). Complaints about the amount of pain inmates suffer after undergoing lethal injection and unreasonable and unjustified. Death by lethal injection seems like a much more peaceful way to go than almost any other option out there, which makes it an absolutely ethical process. Even though some people may argue that the death penalty is an immoral process, the truth of the matter is that it is actually quite

Senator for Utah Orrin Hatch once said, “Capital punishment is our society’s recognition of the sanctity of human life,” (Brainy Quote). While the arguments for both sides of the debate over the morality of the death penalty are vast, the bottom line is that the death penalty does not disregard human life, but rather it reveres it, as Hatch said. Morality is defined as, “The quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct,” (The Free Dictionary). One who seeks to protect a person who has committed a heinous crime such as murder is arguably not in accords with what is right and wrong. Therefore, although killing is generally accepted as being wrong, the death penalty is sometimes the only solution to bring justice to a

The most influential text and source of many of the moral ideas of the world come from the Bible. The Bible outlines many of the crimes that are thought to be fundamentally wrong today. Also, the Bible provided ideologies and guidelines for the punishment of those who committed crimes, especially murder. The history of capital punishment can also be traced to this ancient text. Q5 The Bible says ?Man was made like God, so whoever murders a man will himself be killed by his fellow man.?(my bible) This explains a lot of the history of the death penalty. Q1 p9

Various religions also have varied responses to capital punishment. Even a particular denomination or religious group may not have a unified stand regarding capital punishment. Religious sentiments do play a significant part in the views of people regarding capital punishment. The Bible is replete with various passages that may seem to support or condemn capital punishment. The Old Testament, particularly, is based upon a morality of “teeth against teeth” and “life for life.” The books of laws of the Old Testament actually prescribe stoning to death the persons who commit serious crimes against God and against the community. A number of biblical scholars have considered the part of the Ten Commandments that say “You shall not kill” as a prohibition against individual cases of murder (The Ryrie Study Bible, Exodus 20:13). In the first place, the Christian faith believes that humans are created in the image of God. As such, a serious crime against another person is also a crime against God. In the Old Testament, premeditated murder was sufficient reason for the death penalty (Numbers 35:31, 33). Moreover, in Genesis 9:6, it can be read that “whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed”. St. Thomas Aquinas also published his thoughts regarding capital

Religion plays a big role in some people 's lives and can influence their opinion on capital punishment. In the U.S. the two largest religions are Christianity and Judaism, within both of those religions some people are for capital punishment and some are against capital punishment. Several christian groups in the late 1970s formalized their religious and moral reasons against the imposition of the death penalty. “Among them was, capital punishment: violated the command by Jesus to employ the ethic of love, perpetuated the evil of retaliation, ignored the guilt that the society may have had in the causation of the crime, and prevented the possibility of any kind of rehabilitation of the criminal” (Flamehorse).

The death penalty is a cruel and inhuman death, “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. Death penalty violates the right to life. (2004)

Capital Punishment has been in existence as far back as biblical times. In fact, biblical views are what many may base their opinion of the death penalty on. The Old Testament in Exodus Chapter 21 verses 23-25 it reads:

The Evolution of the Christian Perspective on Capital Punishment One of the most controversial issues in modern society involves the implementation of Capital Punishment in criminal justice. Capital Punishment has been heavily debated in the realm of politics due to the many conflicting religious opinions over the issue; some of the most prevalent voices in this debate have been the Christian churches and their members. This paper explores the evolution of the modern Christian perspective towards capital punishment, the presently declared or undeclared attitudes of major Christian denominations, and the incompatibility between faith and personal values that capital punishment forces Christians to reconcile. Christianity’s attitude towards capital

image of God He made a man." This supports the theory of "an eye for

On the contrary, there is no doubt that killing is a sin, and it is inhumane to take away another person’s life. Opponents of death penalty state that capital punishment is immoral and unfair. The Jewish Social Policy Action Network (2008) which is against capital punishment believes that death penalty may induce in children wrong notions about usage of violence in resolving conflicts, thus claims that it is immoral to practice death penalty. According to ACLU (2007) death penalty is against morality, justice and no one should

Capital punishment is a method of retributive punishment as old as civilization itself. Both the Greeks and the Romans invoked the death penalty for a wide variety of

Why do some christians agree with the capital punishment? Some Christians feel that the Bible has spoken to the conflict, but many believe that the New Testament replaces the Old Testament law. Skimming through the Old Testament you can find many cases in which God orders the use of capital punishment, with the acts of God Himself. God was somehow involved directly or maybe indirectly, in the taking of life as a punishment for Israel or whomever threatened or harm the city of Israel.

Some of the Christians who do support the capital punishment is often ground that the state acts not on its own authority but as the agent of God. Who does the legal power over life and death. (Guide, 2014)

accounting for the life of his fellow man.  Whoever sheds the blood of man, by