Why I Do Not Support The Death Penalty
by The death penalty is the one thing in the justice system that to me is the most barbaric.
The model of punishment has been used in many nations for punishment of various crimes notably of which is murder, robbery with violence and treason. The mode of death could be by hanging, lethal injection, electrocution or stoning to death as in countries of the Middle East.
Most of the times the family of the victims may even want it so badly because they assume by the person dying they feel justice will have been met. So to them an eye for eye serves the purpose of justice. Murder no doubt is a heinous crime and deserves grave consequences for the one committing the crime. But is another killing the solution?
The justice system aims at preventing crime, punishing those who offend the law, bring retribution to the offended while trying to rehabilitate the offender. The main reason really is to provide justice however that may look like. The question that we must all ask is how does the state committing the same act that the offender is convicted of help in curbing such crimes? Do we as human beings have the right to decide who should live and who should die?
The problem I have for me is based more on my faith as a Christian. Yet I note that in the country of my residence it seems to me like those who share my faith are the ones that actually advocate for the death penalty. For me I consider that to God there is no big sin or small sin, “for He who said, do not commit adultery, also said, do not murder”. James 2: 11. Now if you commit one and not the other you are still a transgressor of the law. I am not trying to minimize the offence of murder but my point is to demonstrate that the murderer started somewhere.
Jesus added something to this element of murder in His teachings when He said “You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” Mathew 5:21-22. The attitude of the heart is what is manifested outside. So there are many out there murdering others in their heart because of their anger and hatred. It is the dangerous emotion if not checked that leads to murder.
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Post CommentJimmy Shilaho
On February 14, 2010 at 12:49 am
Sometimes we underestimate the pain the victims of robbery with violence undergo until we go through the same. It defeats logic for the state to abandon its responsibility to God, when those who kill can do it again and again without batting an eyelid and yet it is expensive to keep them comfortable in prison for life. Think carefully about it, but when some people are defended simply because God is against taking life, it brings tears to my eyes and pains my heart.
serowa
On February 14, 2010 at 2:24 am
I see your point Shilaho, but I am not saying that they should walk scotch free. But does taking their lives solve the problem or are we just reactors? I have felt the pain of losing a loved one from murder, but i still would not advocate for the death penalty because to me it iseems I am justfying what I loath.
joyhyena29
On February 14, 2010 at 5:18 am
i agree with wanjiku…
Jimmy Shilaho
On February 14, 2010 at 5:46 am
Some will not just kill your loved one, but you live with their constant threats, day in, day out, or mockery when they are set free, anyway, I rest my case for the death penalty is something I will passionately defend till I die.
DynamicLethargy
On February 14, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I am against the death penalty.
I am still troubled by the need to deal with murders. A society must protect its members from threats.
I have started to think that a different approach is needed to dealling with criminals. I haven’t come up with anything better though.
One observation is that it appears that a person convicted of a non capital murder may go free in 15 years or less. If the same person had been found not guilty due to mental defect, they very often will not ever go free.
papaleng
On February 15, 2010 at 3:44 am
you have said your views, though we differ in some aspect, I believe we should adhere to what the law states, if a country do apply capital punishment so be it. Just as Christ said when asked by his disciples if they would give tax, Jesus said, Give what is due to Ceasar and give what is due to God. He just submitted himself to human law. But.. if there are other options than meting criminals with the capital punishments then it would be much better, for the scriptures also stated, that Vengeance is mine said the Lord, implying that, we can’t take away a man’s life. Only god can.
colette234
On February 15, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I’ve wavered about this issue at different times in my life, because on the one hand, I don’t want to pay for murderers to be fed and housed in the penal system, but on the other hand, human beings shouldn’t have the power to decide life and death. In the same way that we condemn criminal murderers, we should condemn the murdering hand of the justice system.
serowa
On February 15, 2010 at 6:28 pm
@ Papaleng,Your statement, ” I believe we should adhere to what the law states, if a country do apply capital punishment so be it” really? Are we not the light of the world? The passage about paying taxes is different from what I am talking about.
No one is saying that the offender should not be punished, but my arguemnet is in the form of punshiment. Christians need to understand their calling instead of hiding behind scriptures.
Are you as a Christian going to support abortion because it is the state law? I personally just cringe when i see people sit to watch until the convict is pronunced dead.