Do you think sentencing someone to death for murder enforces the belief that killing is not acceptable?

Question

Of course, we don't need a law to tell us that killing is wrong (by our society's standards).

However, for those of you who agree with the death penalty, is sentencing a murderer to death not a sort of self-contradiction-- killing someone for killing?

For those of you who don't agree with the death penalty, what would be the proper way of punishing murderers, life in prison? Surely, murder is a worse crime than some of the other crimes for which life in prison is given?

There were several questions. I can't read minds, so I don't know which answer you said yes to. Please elaborate.

If you agree with the death penalty, please answer the question.

If killing is not acceptable, please justify why killing a murderer enforces that belief. Also, answer the question about the self-contradiction.

Answer 1

Normally a crime would have to be heinous enough and the individual remorseless enough that rehabilitatoin is more than unlikely for the death penalty to be applied in sentencing. If a person behaves in a manner so severly to the detriment of society, sometimes it is necessary to snuff those fockers out. it maintains an equilibrium. severe, even life extinguishing, punishment assures a proper balance in conduct of the entire herd.
cases have to qualify for the death penalty, and I think those that qualify must warrant such a punishment. its logical, even reasonable.

Answer 2

I think for the Ted Bundy's and Charles Manson's of the world, death is a fitting punishment for the horrible crimes they committed. For other murderers, I'm not so sure. I think there should be criteria met and the blame must be absolute. I don't like the idea of sentencing possibly innocent people to death so I think the state would have to have irrefutable proof. I do not believe in the death penalty for children who murdered or the mentally retarded, however life imprisonment is a viable alternate. Other cases are harder for me to judge. What do you do to a man who killed his wife because she was terminally ill and begged him to do it? Euthanasia is wrong and must be punished but I hope the courts have compassion for these situations. I have certain circumstances where I clearly believe in the death penalty and others where mercy is justified (at least in my eyes). I do believe the death penalty is a deterrent within the normal population but when it comes to sociopaths, I don't believe it helps much.

Answer 3

By having the death penalty, we are not conflicted. We are not killing for killing...we are killing for murdering (i.e. unlawful killing). Our society allows both the government to kill (soldiers in war), and individual citizens to kill (self defense, etc.) within the law.

We are punishing the one who kills unlawfully....i.e. outside the law.

And, yes, I'm ok with having a death penalty. My favorite method of execution is at the hands of the intended victim, and at the time of the intended crime. When that is not possible, I'm willing to wait for the Court system.

Answer 4

i'm not really sure if i agree with the death penalty or not...
i think a proper way of punishing murderers besides the death penalty is solitary confinement for life. Do you get what i mean?

Answer 5

who has the right to take another's life? just because a murderer kills someone - does not give us the right to kill him. why should we reduce ourselves and become like these murderers by killing them!

Answer 6

Dam right, shame it takes so long to happen

Answer 7

I think we should take them out back and shoot the SOB right after they are found guilty.

Answer 8

i dunno but its good that we dont have to spend the money to keep a piece of chit living in prison. let them die. eye for an eye