Americans - if the bible says thou shalt not kill, how do you justify the death penalty??

Question

Kveryeffective - the bible says 'Thou shalt not KILL', not 'Thou shall not murder'

Lord G - this has nothing to do with Saddam, I personally suported his execution, but not in the manner it was carried out. All I am asking is how it is justified by Christians.

T oall those saying the commandment is 'Thou shalt not MURDER', murder is defined as knowingly taking another person's life - so isn't the death penalty 'knowingly taking somebody's life aka murder?

This question should be adressed to American Christians then...

To all of those who said I was 'picking' on Americans, I wasn't, I was asking a question aimed at American Christians, or indeed any other Christians who support the death penalty around the world. The only reason I asked Americans is because America is the only Christian country that supports the death penalty, that I, personally know of.
Thanks for your answers.

Answer 1

First - why is this question directed towards Americans? The death penalty exists all over the world. To single out Americans is narrowminded and inflammatory, IMO.

Second, the bible is a book written by men who presumed to know the thoughts and meanings of "a higher authority". It is not the same as law, written to maintain and sustain an orderly society. While American forefathers may have founded much of our original Constitution on their Christian beliefs, they also had the foresight to include separation of church and state, recognizing that the laws of the land could not, and should not, be dictated by ancient religious writings.

Lastly, the death penalty is not a national law in the United States. Many states have banned it as "unconstitutional" (note, NOT because it goes against the bible), which, IMO, is ridiculous. I personally fail to understand how I am supposed to feel sympathy for a convicted murderer, that s/he might suffer even slightly via the means of execution, when that individual obviously had no respect for the human life s/he took during the commission of the crime. As a taxpayer, I resent the decades of cost inflicted on me to keep someone alive, when there is absolutely no question or doubt whatsoever that the individual committed the heinous crimes they were convicted of. When I was younger, I opposed the death penatly, thinking it was somehow morally wrong. As I have gotten older, my views have changed. I see no viable or sensible reason to maintain such an individual ad infinitum, at the taxpayer's expense. What purpose does this serve? This person will not be rehabilitated, will never be paroled or released back into society, contributes nothing to anybody or anything, and should have justice exacted upon them for the irrevocable loss that took place at their hands.

My feelings are: if, through DNA and every other modern technology available, it is 100% confirmed that this person did, indeed, take another person's life, they should pay the price, and that payment should be made quickly. The bible has nothing to do with it, and shouldn't - ever.

Answer 2

Each individual shouldn't need to be told that to take another's life is wrong, regardless if it is in the Bible or Not.

Since wars between nations and the death penalty is taking another persons life I do not justify it.

I do think the human race should have evolved beyond violence and killing by now but alas it has not.

An imbalance of testosterone maybe or just a diseased sick human race.

But whilst we have murderers walking amongst us I guess the death penalty will be here too.

If we could change the need for the death penalty by helping the global population to health that would be grand.

Peace Brothers and Sisters

Answer 3

This is not about Christianity. All cultures have the death penalty or did at one time. It is a way of thinking however, that people are starting to question here in America. I agree, it is outdated and most people in the Western world have abandoned the concept already. The U.S. is just behind like they are in a lot of things.

But people do however, use the Bible to justify a lot of things because it is open to a lot of interpretation. It is the New Testament that is supposed to be in action; not the Old Testament which is obsolete.

Answer 4

The Bible is not the guiding text of American penal code. Ideally, the law is based on justice and reason and not on empathy or religious convictions. The death penalty is a logical response, ie a society has the right to eliminate physical threats to its individual members. Vicious murderers are not to be trusted or forgiven for their crimes, much as rabid dogs are not to be let back out into public space because they lack any self-control. Thus, the practice is completely acceptable so long as guilt beyond any reasonable doubt is established.

Answer 5

(I'm UK - but a Christian so I'll answer)

If you go on to read the rest of that section of the bible it states that from those 10 Commandments laws was made. Those laws allowed the death penalty under certain circumstances and set things like exceptions.

Killing, as carried out by their laws was acceptable as punishment.

The current death penalty would be argued as an extension of that.

Answer 6

Your question should be addressed to Christians, not Americans. There are now fewer Christians in the US than the combination of other religions and atheists - so for the majority, the Bible is an irrelevance.

Answer 7

The death penalty is a deterrent , therefore not murder. It is indirect killing of a person as opposed to direct killing. One is intended to prevent the action of the aggressor and the other is the aggressor taking someones life.

Answer 8

Forget the bible!! The great lake water winter wonderland state of Michigan became the first English speaking government to ban the death penalty back in 1846-47. However, do not cross us... we are a hard working blue/white collar midwestern state and we will defend our right to live in a safe and secure environment by any means necessary.

Answer 9

If Jesus is all about giving to the poor, then why does the Catholic Church, (the Pope) own banks? why is the Pope worth billion's? Not everyone believes in the bible, that's why the death penalty exists, and it should carry on, I'm in full favour of the death penalty, it would make people think twice about committing murder's. And prison's would'nt have over crowding.

Answer 10

The Bible i find is full of contradictions, I mean get yer head around this one as i think it quite relevent to this question: It also says in the Bible "An Eye For An Eye" Confused...I am...Sheesh! P.S. Why on Earth have you directed this totally at Americans?? A little shallow don't you think?