isn't it in contradiction with "Thou shalt not kill"?
2006-12-15 02:16:10 · 25 answers · asked by Thou Shalt Not Think 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have found many 'religious' people to be rather judgmental and the DP would be the ultimate in judgment. Yes, it would seem to be a contradiction, but then I think that religious people interpret their beliefs differently, when they need to justify themselves and their actions:-(
2006-12-15 02:20:49 · answer #1 · answered by Silly me 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christian positions vary on this subject. Catholics, for example, mostly support the DP - but then Pope John Paul II reversed that position. Anglicans and Episcopalians do not support the DP, nor do the Methodists or Baptists. Mormans hold a neutral position on the subject. Hindus take many different positions here - both pro and con; while Jews support the DP. And Muslims hold that the victim's family has the right to pardon the criminal.
2006-12-15 10:25:05 · answer #2 · answered by Yngona D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Because life is very precious to God.
2. God has sent up government to protect people & they have the right/duty to uphold the sanctity of human life.
3. I believe that if someone desecrates another life by murdering than, in order to uphold the importance of life, the murder should be put to death.
4. However, our justice system is seriously lacking today....so the murder would have to be very obvious in order to carry out such a high penalty.
5. No justice=distruction of society.
6. This death penalty should never be carried out if the motive is revenge. That would be wrong!!! Rather, the motive for me is to uphold the preciousness of a human life.
7. I wish there were no murders.
Think about it. Peace.
Chris has a well educated answer!!!! Good job Chris.
2006-12-15 10:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by Jeff- <3 God <3 people 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First-there are far more non-religious folk for it. Second-the word for "kill" in the commandments is "rasha" which is better translated into the English word "murder". Third-the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Cor. that we are to be in subjection to the government over us because God has given them the sword (death penalty) for a reason.
Christians should be against "murder", which is killing for no cause. But they should also be for the death penalty because it serves as justice for the victims of crime for which we are not supposed to retaliate, We are supposed to let the government deal with it. If they do away with the death penalty-then we have a right to take the law into our own hands. See how this can get messed up if it is mishandled.
2006-12-15 10:27:40 · answer #4 · answered by Desperado 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible teaches the death penalty so that is why most Christians are for it. In Genesis 9:6 it says, "6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man." That command from God to Noah and his descendants after him predates the law of Moses by 1000 years, and includes all mankind, not just the Jewish people. Also the Law of Moses does not say you are not to kill, but you are not to commit murder. Government has been given authority by Gd to put to death murderers, clearly taught in the Noaic covenant and in the Mosaic covenant.
The death penalty was for several reasons.
1. To punish a murderer
2. To stop the murderer from doing it again
3. To cut off the lineage of the murderer
4. To put a fear in others that would be a deterant to them doing the same.
4. To deal with murderer as cheaply as possible. It was considered that you should not waste money supporting someone who murdered another.
2006-12-15 10:25:22 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I could point you to some passages in the Bible, but I'm guessing that's not what you want here. The bottom-line, easiest answer is that the matter is more complicated than you're suggesting.
People who are being executed have done horrible crimes against society, often including taking others' lives, so they deserve harsh punishment.
Christians pray for these death-row inmates, like they pray for everyone. It's love at work.
2006-12-15 10:23:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the Hebrew word that was used in the 10 Commandments, "Ratshach" means to murder an innocent person. The death penalty is to be used on guilty people, so Biblically, it would not be a violation.
2006-12-15 10:21:41 · answer #7 · answered by Chris C 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Historically, western religions teach punishment for sins including death regardless of the sin being against God or man. Your thought of violating the ten commandments refers to murder. The same book discusses valid punishment of an eye for eye. Eastern religions do not support such measures and consider them punishment and revenge, the latter part being unworthy of a civilized society.
2006-12-15 10:31:00 · answer #8 · answered by bardmere 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The commandment is 'thou shalt not murder'. Obviously, since the bible prescribes the death penalty for certain offenses (and only under extremely rigid circumstances) executing a convicted criminal is not considered murder.
2006-12-15 10:23:35 · answer #9 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
An eye for an eye is vengeance and Jesus clearly dissaproved of it.
How a religious person can be for the death penalty I'll never understand. It is extremely hypocritical.
2006-12-15 10:23:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋