shame on Christians who believe in the death penalty?

Question

I asked the question why is abortion wrong and the death penalty right.

all of these christians said that the death penalty is for people who deserve to die.

shame on you! Does God not have the power to rehabilitate someone, and how can you judge someone worthy enough to die when you didnt create them! all sin is sin

if you believe in the death penalty and are a christian can you defend yourself without saying they deserve to die

Answer 1

Read your Bible - New Testament. Many Christians who support capital punishment cite the Old Testament in support of their views, though few would want to change U.S. law to include the entire list of Old Testament capital crimes. If one cites the authority of the Old Testament for the death penalty for certain types of crimes that the Old Testament lists but not others, this approach would appear to be arbitrary and call into question the commitment to the authority of the Old Testament itself for that individual. Some Christians just say in general that they think that people who are executed deserve it. From the perspective of Paul's theology, however, one can easily argue that every single rational adult deserves death: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 6:23); "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23). Paul goes on to say that God offers forgiveness for our sins. If that is true, should not humans also offer forgiveness, at least to the extent of foregoing the ultimate punishment for sin in this life?

The teaching of Jesus is, for me, the most important argument against capital punishment. Jesus says that, contrary to the lex talionis (an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth), Christians must learn to turn the other cheek (Matt 5:38-42). That doesn't mean that violent criminals should avoid any penalty whatsoever, but it does undercut an important Old Testament legal principle used by death penalty advocates today. Jesus also urges Christians to love their enemies (Matt 5:43-48). Executing someone does not show love; it shows just the opposite. In the story of the Woman Caught in Adultery, Jesus indicates his clear preference that the woman, though guilty of a capital crime, should be forgiven rather than stoned to death (John 7:53-8:11). In Luke's gospel, Jesus from the cross asks God to forgive those who are crucifying him (Luke 23:34).

Paul, too, offers teachings whose principles militate against the death penalty. He tells Christians not to return evil for evil (Rom 12:17). He also says that Christians should not take revenge, because vengeance belongs to God (Rom 12:19).

While the New Testament does not explicitly address the question of capital punishment per se, because it does not have a legal section, as the Old Testament does, the principle of Christian forgiveness is clearly taught throughout. Again, this principle does not mean that no punishment is appropriate under any circumstances, but it does suggest that the ultimate punishment should be left in the hands of God.

Answer 2

This isn't a question, but that's not true to say that all Christians are for the death penalty. Some Christians have different views in life and as for me I am against the death penalty because I don't believe some people deserve it. And to clue you in, not all Christians are perfect that's why we must ask for forgiveness everyday!

Answer 3

Consider the recidivism rate of rapists and murderers. I agree with some of your points- for example, sin is sin, no matter what.

However, I would exhort you to not stereotype Christians. Not all Christians believe in capital punishment. Moreover, a lot of non-Christians do believe in it.

True, some people can be rehabilitated. But the sad truth is that some cannot. Although God can change someone's heart for the better, they have to want to change. That is an enormous step from being a killer to being a saint. Pardon my cliche, for many here choose to speak of it, but humankind has free will. Ergo, we may choose good deeds or wicked deeds.

Our prison system was created to rehabilitate people, but prisons no longer serve that function. In fact, the opposite may occur. If someone goes to jail for a long period of time, it can lead to more severe crimes if they ever get out or escape.

Think about this- how would you feel if a member of your immediately family was slain by a man who feels no remorse for what he has done? Would you want the punishment to be light? Would you want this person to be able to get out of prison someday in the future, only to kill again? We must learn from our mistakes.

Think about this for a moment- what about the terrorists who just murdered those young soldiers in Iraq? Do you know about this event?

Al-Quaida appears to be behind the killings. Two innocent young U.S. soldiers were kidnapped (I believe- perhaps they were captured some other way) by the terrorists. Then, the terrorists tortured the men brutally, and killed them. The two young men's bodies were found terribly mutilated in an electric plant. Their bodies were boobytrapped with explosives. Now, what would you say to the parents of these young men who died so senselessly? What if one of them was your own Father, or son? How would you feel? What punishment would be due to the killers? Wouldn't you want justice? What sentence, if you were their judge, would you give to these monsters?

The law exists to protect people. When anyone severely violates the law, there must be recourse. Not every criminal deserves death, but some of them revoke their right to live by taking innocent lives.

Answer 4

Neither abortion or the death penalty is wrong! Abortion is OK because it allows women to decide what is best for their own bodies and the death penalty is OK because it is the harshest way to punish someone who has wronged another.

Answer 5

Read your Bible. It says clearly,"Whoever sheds the blood of man, shall by man have his blood shed: for the image of God has God made man." (Book of Genesis 9:14) It is the punishment that should be given to people who kill innocents--as command by God in the Christian Bible.

Answer 6

IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE DEATH PENALTY WE WOULD NOT HAVE EASTER!

YOU SOUND LIKE A SOUTHERN BABTIST. GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE AND FIND A LIFE!

Answer 7

Good question.

Answer 8

what if jesus was not sentenced to die? he'd have just another troublemaker.