Death Penalty

[BaldJesus]

Pretty self explanatory...what do youse all think about the death penalty?

[AliveInHim]

Originally Posted by BaldJesus

Pretty self explanatory...what do youse all think about the death penalty?

Personally, if you want the very simple answer, I disagree with the use of the death penalty. if you want the "why" and the more detailed answer, then I can give that as well. If you so desire, that is.

Grace and Peace,

Amanda

[Damaris]

After years of prayer, thought, study, research, and prayer over the matter, my answer is this: I don't know.

[Becca]

This is my favey favey discussion >.<

From a SECULAR standpoint I am for it - it is costing money to keep people in jail for life to the taxpayer, they arent ever going to get out so 'whats the point' of their life? [note: this is a secular point]

From a religious and therefore my personal viewpoint I am mostly against. Why do we get to decide who lives or dies? It's Gods will. Last time I looked there was only one Judge and it isnt me. But also, why do we get to lock people up [I understand its for our, and others safety in some instances e.g. murder, but what about a teen who isnt hurting anyone for example smoking weed?] when God is our only judge?

Of course you could say that humans dont 'judge' but name consequences to certain actions which humans choose to do or not do. In which case, why wouldnt you agree to the death penalty?

[darran]

Originally Posted by Becca

From a SECULAR standpoint I am for it - it is costing money to keep people in jail for life to the taxpayer, they arent ever going to get out so 'whats the point' of their life? [note: this is a secular point]

you know its more expensive to put someone to death in the US than to have them spend life in prison?

[BaldJesus]

I'm against the death penalty and don't think it should ever be used. That's not because I think God is the only one with the right to end a life, it's just because I believe killing is wrong, and shouldn't be used as a punishment.
We don't have the death penalty in the UK, and I haven't actually much research myself, but I've heard that the majority of people sentenced to death in the US are black, have learning disabilities or are lower-class. That's probably quite a big generalisation, but basically a black, low income man is more likely to be given the death penalty than a white middle-class man? Which doesn't sound too good to me..
Also, if a mistake is made and the person turns out to be innocent, then they're dead, and it's too late for them.
I think that the death penalty is too harsh, but I think a life sentence should mean life. In the UK, a life sentence is like 15 years, with people sometimes walking free after seven or so years, which seems too lenient.
In saying that, a life sentence can sometimes seem to lenient for a mass-murderer or something like that.
Taking someone's life as a punishment seems inhumane to me, and not something we should be doing in todays society. I can't think of the word I want..it means something similar to old-fashioned.
I don't see how any Christian could support capitol punishment. When I was researching abortion for a speech in school, I remember reading something where someone was trying to justify supporting the death penalty, and how it wasn't related to abortion, but I don't see how anyone can claim to be pro-life and still see the death penalty as being okay. (Not that I'm saying all Christians are pro-life, or that they have to be. But I'll not get into that...).

[Damaris]

Originally Posted by BaldJesus

When I was researching abortion for a speech in school, I remember reading something where someone was trying to justify supporting the death penalty, and how it wasn't related to abortion, but I don't see how anyone can claim to be pro-life and still see the death penalty as being okay. (Not that I'm saying all Christians are pro-life, or that they have to be. But I'll not get into that...).

Well, there's the argument that the death penalty--a harsh sentance indeed--can scare some people into staying away from committing those crimes in the first place so that in the end it could actually save lives.

Again, I'm rather firmly planted in the "I don't know" camp so I just present this as food for thought. I am grateful that I'm not the one who has to make these decisions.

[Becca]

Originally Posted by darran

you know its more expensive to put someone to death in the US than to have them spend life in prison?

Oh.. :P Thanks for clearing that up

[BaldJesus]

Originally Posted by Damaris

Well, there's the argument that the death penalty--a harsh sentance indeed--can scare some people into staying away from committing those crimes in the first place so that in the end it could actually save lives.

Yeah, I know what you mean about it stopping people commiting the crimes. Is there any statistics on that though, like is the crime rate lower in places where they have the death penalty?

[Brandi]

My personal view is people where put to death in the bible, so it should be carried out still today. As for the death penalty being more expensive then life in prison that is because we allow appeal after appeal after appeal. If we would just have the trial, get the verdict, then act on it with in a reasonable time frame (1-3 years) it would not be more expensive.

My thoughts are some crimes are so horrid, so wrong, that the person forfeits their right to live, regardless of race, social economical status, or age, things like Murder, rape, child molestation, are just beyond reform, and that person to me has made the choice that another persons life is not important so i would not feel guilty ending their life.