Why Do Christians Use Capital Punishment

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

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).

Many people view the death penalty differently and they view capitol punishment as the ultimate warning because if they know they will be killed for their actions, then they are less likely to do so. The supporters of the death penalty also state that the procedures used to kill the prisoners are extremely effective and have the ability to turn off the brain before any pain is felt, therefore, making the death penalty inoffensive. Lastly, and possibly one of the biggest reasons why people still support executions, stems from the biblical verse “an eye for an eye”. This principle, in respect to the death penalty, means that a man who has injured another man must be punished to the same degree.

The Christian view of capital punishment is believed that Jesus requires them to oppose capital punishment. Many Christians believe and argue that God commanded "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 21:13), and that this is a clear instruction with no exceptions that Christians should not support the death penalty. Mistreatment and torture of individuals by governments for any purpose violates Christian instruction and must be condemned by Christians and churches where and when it occurs. God intends for life to be fixed.

Capital punishment is something no person should endure, no matter how awful the committed crime may be. It is a cruel and sick punishment, for example, someone who has killed somebody has

Christians say that Jesus taught them that they should try to change the offender to not seek revenge. The 6th commandment says people should not kill yet society would employ a paid executioner if the death penalty was re-introduced. There could be a mistake being made by an innocent person for a crime he or she did not commit, there is also evidence that this has happened in the past.

The Death Penalty does not abide any religious beliefs. It certainly is not condoned in the religion of Christianity. God is the only one who can decide when a person

The word of God is the Bible, a manual that shows mankind the laws he has implemented to keep order on earth. God has given commands as to how we as humanity are to live and when we disobey his laws there are punishments. Despite the fact that all sin is sin in God’s eyes, some disobedience is far more severe than others. While forgiveness is taught in the New Testament, capital punishment is God’s command as punishment for more serious crimes and a deterrent to criminal behavior. While some forms of capital punishment from Old Testament times may be unrealistic in today’s society, we are to obey God’s commands. Therefore should we as Christians obey God when it comes to capital punishment? As modern day

God often showed mercy when the death penalty was due. David committed adultery and murder, yet God did not demand his life be taken (Samuel 12:13). Ultimately, every sin we commit should result in the death penalty because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, God demonstrates His love for us in not condemning us (Romans 5:8). Christian teachings believe the criminal should be given the chance for rehabilitation. Everyday, prisoners’ lives are claimed by a system of justice that values retribution instead of rehabilitation.

Many religions have also accepted the use of Capital Punishment as a correct form of punishment. For example, according to the Old Testament, execution was the punishment for blasphemy, adultery, kidnapping, and violating the

I am a christian, I believe in the word of God. In Exodus chapter 21 verse 12, the bible states “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.” Therefore, it isn't a sin. I believe in the ten commandments where it says, “thou shalt not kill,” it means you shouldn't kill just to kill. You should kill for a reason. If you kill someone, you should be killed in my opinion. According to the christian belief it's in the bible. It also states, “an eye for an eye” meaning they get what they give in other words. I one hundred percent believe in the death penalty and what it stands for because of what I have read out of the bible.

Capital punishment is the process of sentencing one to death for committing an extreme crime. The death penalty is known to have been used as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C within the code of Hammurabi also known for the phrase “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth”. Capital punishment has evolved and stayed the same in many places around the world, which has been seen as morally wrong in many regions that has created a worldwide argument. While I personally believe that no one in this world has a right to take another person’s life, it is and will stay a personal opinion and belief onto whether it is right or wrong.

Capital punishment goes against the morals and standards that our country is based upon. A punishment that inflicts harm on a person can hardly be good or moral if it is purposeless. A punishment may be given to a wrongdoer for one or a combination of the following reasons: (1) to protect the community from the criminal returning to previous activity, (2) to rehabilitate the offender; and (3) to restore the moral order breached by the violation. Capital punishment is not required to accomplish any of these purposes. Other alternatives work better or at least as well (Robinson, 1999, October 7). Killing is not the answer (Bender& Leone, 1987 p. 63). Recently some states have been implementing life without parole as an alternative to death. This has proven just a successful as the death penalty for punishment. It prevents criminals from returning to society, and is less expensive than capital punishment (Vila & Morris, 1997, p.255). Another study shows that over 80% of those serving life sentences will never commit another crime, and well

Putting people to death for committing murder makes other potential murderers think twice about killing someone. Capital punishment deters many murders every day. If all that had to be done was spend life in jail, getting free meals, having a roof over their head, and place to sleep at night, then killing