Dose the Christian religion allow execution? Some Christian say it allow it, some they say it doesn’t. I need an answer according to the Bible, not a personal opinion. Thanks.
2006-11-07 06:56:28 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Depends where you read the scripture!!
2006-11-07 06:57:32 · answer #1 · answered by Queen Bee 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, the Bible doesn't allow for modern day "execution". The sixth commandment is pretty explicit when it says "thou shall not kill".
Since there are instances of self-defense and the likes, "kill" is typically understood as not to murder someone.
However, though God in the Old Testament stated that some crimes were punishable by death, those were eradicated when Jesus came. He said in Matthew 5 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Obviously then, Christianity does not allow any person the right to execute anyone.
That's why it is surprising to me that so many Christians support the death penalty.
This is a great source that should help you understand the issue...
2006-11-07 07:09:42 · answer #2 · answered by nickdawny 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yup, plenty of passages, too...
Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death. -- Exodus 21:15
Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed.-- Exodus 22:19
The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: 'Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death.'-- Exodus 31:12-15
Apparently, the Bible also condones execution of women and children as well...
"Then I heard the LORD say to the other men, "Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity! Kill them all – old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin your task right here at the Temple." So they began by killing the seventy leaders. "Defile the Temple!" the LORD commanded. "Fill its courtyards with the bodies of those you kill! Go!" So they went throughout the city and did as they were told."-- Ezekiel 9:5-7
There's plenty of passages, particularly in the Old Testament. It's just a matter of finding them and whether or not those who say that they don't exist have either read the Bible, or are just ignoring said passages.
2006-11-09 13:01:06 · answer #3 · answered by Ophelia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Old Testament it certainly does. The Old Testament itself outlines death as the punishment for various crimes. However, when Christ died on the cross the laws changed. When he was being taken away and one of his disciples went to attack the guards he told him not to live by the sword because those that do die by it (Matthew 26:52-53).
Jesus is meant to be our example and he forgave the men that killed him instead of demanding that God kill those men.
Also, regarding the verses in the Old Testament that prescribed the death penalty. In order to be charged in these cases there had to be two witnesses. In essence, it had to be fully without a doubt certain that the person was guilty. I think we have seen that our law system today is not able to be 100% certain because there are many examples of people who went to jail for murder and then were found innocent. Imagine if they had been given the death penalty? When is there ever two witnesses to the actual murder? So even if the bible does condone the death penalty (which I don't believe the new testament ever does) there are never the requirements met in order to complete it.
2006-11-07 07:03:07 · answer #4 · answered by green_kiwi18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Jesus was executed, unjustly so, yet he was executed. Governments are allowed to set up forms of punishment that fit the crime committed. If a person is guilty of committing a crime that warrants execution, according to the laws of the land, then execution is not wrong, but justice being served. There should be, of course, checks and balances to make certain that the innocent are not being unjustly punished.
2006-11-07 07:02:16 · answer #5 · answered by fruitypebbles 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible says clearly "Thou shalt not kill." That's good enough for me.
Many of my fellow and sister Christians like the death penalty, which is why you will find some who twist the scriptures backwards to get what they want out of them. But the Bible is clear about this.
2006-11-07 07:01:10 · answer #6 · answered by martino 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you read the bible you will see that folks are executed all the time in the bible by God.
There are all sorts of outlines for punishment in the Old Testament and execution for certain offenses is in there too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_capital_punishment
2006-11-07 06:59:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
interior the previous testomony, God initially suggested, "an eye fixed for an eye fixed." yet after Jesus, He suggested to "turn the different cheek." you're ideal approximately God saying, "thou shall no longer dedicate homicide." If He allowed executions, that could somewhat be saying that homicide is permitted(which it somewhat is no longer) and that the Bible contradicts itself, which it does not.
2016-10-21 10:39:21 · answer #8 · answered by goodknight 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.
Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made man.
Genesis 9:5-6
2006-11-07 07:02:09 · answer #9 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible does not support execution.In Mattew 26:51-52,when the servants of the high priest came to arrest Jesus,one of the disciples draw his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.But Jesus told him "Put your sword away,anyone who lives by fighting will die by fighting."That also means that when you live by your sword ,you'll die by the sword.
All judgements are from God.He gives life and he takes life,not man.
2006-11-07 07:24:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Leviticus 24:13-14
13 Then the LORD said to Moses: 14 "Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him.
Leviticus 20:16
" 'If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
Leviticus 20:15
" 'If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you must kill the animal.
2006-11-07 06:59:06 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋