As a Christian I have met other believers with very different views on capital punishment. So, which is right? Is capital punishment justice or judging? Should only God control life and death? Biblical support appreciated :)
2006-07-23 12:29:16 · 22 answers · asked by hmm... 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
So, people who are against- should we not punish anyone at all then?
2006-07-23 12:41:20 · update #1
Each day at first by just a smidgeon
You will be freed from your religion
In it's place you'll gain more reason
All this before the end of the season
I'll cast spells for you!
2006-07-23 12:32:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is right, and there is statistical proof each execution deters from four to eighteen murders, depending on where you live. This, in my opinion, is a case of the ends justifies the means. You may not think it right, but from a social point of view it is the lesser of two evils.
But hell, sod the demographics, this question was about whether or not it is wrong according to the Bible.
The bible requires execution for many sins: murder, prostitution, unchastity, adultery, etc, etc.
If you ever read exodus you'll see how God wanted to have all the Israelites killed after they turned from him, until Moses persuaded him otherwise. Even then, Moses himself, with a bunch of people still loyal to God, went around killing every male Israelite in the camp as punishment. Even after that, Moses still ascended into heaven.
Read the bible, you'll find that God supports execution, he even smote some people and destroyed some cities himself, so thus Christians who disagree with the death penalty are disagreeing with God.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
2006-07-24 06:52:29 · answer #2 · answered by AndyB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot of people are gonna hate my guts for saying this, but two wrongs don't make a right. I resent having my taxes being used to support the lives of the monsters who commit murder. I believe many of them are beyond rehabilitation, and that they are really nothing more than burdens to society. I know two people who have been murdered by complete strangers, in brutal and evil ways. There were times when I would have enjoyed watching the killers die a slow and torturous death. I see now how that makes my morality as flawed as theirs. Some say compassion is a weakness. I say it's a strength that sets us apart from them. I still can't say I have any "love" for the men who took my friend and cousin away, but hate only serves the devil, and separates us from God's own mercy. It has always been easier to destroy than to repair. Even if the men on death row never leave their cage, they can still serve society in some way, and redeem themselves, if only to God.
Peace!
2006-07-23 21:39:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Capital punishment is wrong because:
Judgements may not be 100% right on all occasions. So there is a possibility of killing innocent person.
In case of a murder, even if it is proved through witnesses or confession by the culprit himself, the thoughts or situations that moved him to commit murder is known to him only. We don't punish the causes behind it (many times persons involved).
2006-07-24 04:00:36 · answer #4 · answered by latterviews 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I am for capital punishment.
If a person has taken the life of an innocent person (premediated or in cold blood) they have forfeited their right to life.
Having said that, I do not believe in inflicting pain or suffering on such a murderer. I do not believe in the electric chair or in hanging (for the reason above).
I would not ask the government to subject anyone to a death that I am not willing to experience myself.
If I am ever mistakenly convicted of a murder and given the death sentence, how would I choose to die? I would ask for an overdose of sleeping pills, followed by a lethal injection (as the most painless way to go).
2006-07-23 19:38:59 · answer #5 · answered by John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Genesis chapter 9, God told Noah that he was making a covenant between himself and "all flesh" (Note, this is not the "Old Covenant" between God and Israel, since Abraham would not be born for another several hundred years.). Apparently the covenant God made with Noah was an "everlasting covenant" that was to last as long as there were rainbows in the sky (Gen. 9:16), because rainbows were the sign of God's conenant with "all living creatures".
The signifiance of this covenant to your question is Genesis 9:6, which gives government the duty to excute murders. Paul seems to imply that this provision is still in effect in Romans 13:3-5.
2006-07-23 19:57:40 · answer #6 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is killing terror leaders wrong?
The Detroit Free Press
A very, very good question found there. Let's see what is again happening: “Suicide attacks push limits when the bombers are kids” – [Michael Matza – Knight Ridder newspapers]. We were all shocked at what happened there. “Palestinian youth believe that if killed fighting for Islam, they will go to heaven and delight in the company of beautiful virgins” – [World Magazine]. And here you see Hussam Abdu, a 16-year-old boy who had that bomb strapped to his body and he gave up. He did not want to die. Well, “The U.S. blocks U.N. Security Council rebuke of Israel. [USA Today, Bill Nichols & Barbara Slavin]. you know, i am absolutely shocked that they're using children to commit suicide in order to promote their terrorism.
A sheik, Ahmed Yassin, trained these children and they put him to death and everyone is complaining now. Wait a minute! Don't you believe the Bible? The Bible says in the Noahic Covenant, “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by him shall man's blood be shed”, Genesis 9:5,6. Under the Mosiac Covenant, Exodus 20 verse 13, “Thou shall not kill”. The Hebrew there is murder. Turn the page. “He that smites a man so that he dies shall be put to death", Leviticus 24:17.
This man was training these little children to put bombs in their body and this kid says, “They gave me $25 and told me I'd have 72 virgins”. What would a 16-year-old do with them? He probably wouldn't know what to do. How sad. Yet this man who was killed was behind all of this. What did you say, Jesus? In Mark 9:42, “Whosoever shall offend one of these little children that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck and he were cast into the sea.”
Now, that sounds like capital punishment to me. You drop a guy into the sea and he's gone. And the policemen and military men are ministers of God and they bear not the sword in vain, Romans 13:14. That's not for peeling potatoes. I say murderers should be put to death. Even some of these juveniles who are killing everyone around this country.
2006-07-23 19:46:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Capital Punishment is state sanctioned murder. The Bible says you shall not kill. Therefore a Christian cannot approve of Capital Punishment. Case closed.
2006-07-23 19:34:14 · answer #8 · answered by Dorita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess I would be in favor of no capital punishment if the killer would have to support themselves in prison 200% to pay their way and provide restitution. Then I would leave judgement to God. If we have to pay for the criminal, then I would rather have capital punishment.
2006-07-23 19:35:28 · answer #9 · answered by Cogito Sum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Capital punishment is wrong. I do not remember the exact verses, but I will provide quotes from the Gospels
"Let him who has no sins cast the first stone"
"Love your enemies"
"turn the other cheek"
etc.
And of course,
thou shall not kill
Solution: life in prison without parole.
2006-07-23 19:36:06 · answer #10 · answered by A Person 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋