capital punishment

• what is the Muslim belief on capital punishment?


  -most Muslims agree with it

  -some disagree and want it abolished
• why do most Muslims agree with capital punishment?


  -Quran says death penalty can be used for some crimes

  -i.e. murder, adultery etc

  -"Take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and the law." Surah 6:151

  -According to Quran can only be used as last resort so innocents aren't at risk

  -When prophet Muhammed was ruler of medina he sentenced people to death for murder
• why do some Muslims not agree with capital punishment?


  -Recommended in Quran but not compulsory

  -other options available as punishment for criminals

  -Muslims believe in sanctity of peace and life which conflict with death penalty

  -Shar'iah law says that in certain circumstances, the family of a murder victim can accept money from the murdered rather than requiring the death sentence.

  - wrong person may be convicted and executed, which goes against Qur'an: "Take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and the law." Surah 6:151
• what are humanist views on capital punishment?


  -disagree with it

  -No court system can be sure that the correct verdict is always given.

  -Statistics show that those countries which do not use death penalty have a lower murder rate

  -doesn't act as deterrent
• what are atheist views on capital punishment?


  -some disagree some agree
• why might atheists agree with capital punishment?


  - If people know they will lose their life if they murder someone, it will act as a deterrent and there will be fewer murders

  -The only retribution for taking a life is to have your life taken too.
• why might atheists disagree with capital punishment?


  -Every human being has worth and dignity. It denies Article 3 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights - the right to life.

  -Capital punishment does not act as a deterrent.