The death penalty/capital punishment

• The death penalty = Capital punishment

  • Capital punishment has been abolished in many countries including most of Europe and South America. In some parts of the world it only tends to be used for very serious crimes like murder, espionage (spying) and treason.
  • Christians and Jews might be against the death penalty because the Ten Commandments forbid killing.
  • Some people might use situation ethics to decide on a case - by - case basis if the death penalty should be applied.
• Arguments for the death penalty

  • The risk of death might act as a better deterrent to violent criminals than a prison sentence.
  • If you execute a murder, it’s impossible for them to kill again. Imprisoned murders have been known for to order killings from jail or to reoffend when released on parole. In cases like these, the suffering of the criminal could potentially protect many people.
  • Utilitarianism is the idea that the best course of action created the best balance of good and bad results. This could be used to argue that killing criminals would be better for society.
• Arguments against the death penalty

  • Killing as punishment is just as bad as murder - many religious people and humanists are against any form of killing.
  • It doesn’t give the offender chance to reform.
  • There have been cases where someone has been proved innocent after having been executed.
  • Life is special and should be preserved - many religious people believe in the sanctity of life.
  • Many religious believers think god alone can decide when to end someone’s life.
• Christian views on capital punishment:

  • Many Christian’s are opposed to capital punishment as it doesn’t allow for reform or show mercy. Jesus said to set aside ‘eye for an eye’ and told people to ’love their enemies‘. Many are against the violent nature of the death penalty.
  • However some Christian’s in the United States (where capital punishment is legal) believe hat the death penalty is a good thing. They say it protects the innocent. They might refer to biblical texts such as ‘Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed‘.
• Islamic views on the death penalty:

  • The Quran outlines crimes punishable by death but encourages victims‘ families to take compensation.
  • Muhammad said that death could be a punishment in three cases: ‘the married adulterer, a life for a life and the deserter of his Din (Islam). This is reflected in the shari’ah law.
  • However, some Muslims believe that Allah (not humans) should decide when life ends - they don’t agree with capital punishment.