Can a true Christian favor capital punishment?

Question

Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." He also said in the Gospel of John "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone ..."

Answer 1

An eye for an eye; tooth for tooth bud.

It was ok then and now.
It would be unchristian to not favor it.

(check out the diverse laws in the old testament-the old testament should be followed as well!)

Answer 2

1. A "True" something and a "Real" whatever are strictly in the eye of the beholder. Its a personal aesthetic.

2. Religion has never been, is now, nor will ever be anything more than a tool to obtain something on a social, political, economic or spiritual level without any realistic amount of effort at all. If a person or organization wants money, they say "God wants you to donate" or they make it a sin to give less than 15% of your income as a tithe. If a politician can't sell his platform, he tells his constituents that "This is god's will". If a man wants to cheat death, all they have to do is believe in a monotheistic apparition and *poof*, they will now achieve immortality... posthumously.

So all your little bible quotes do is just allow other "True Christians" to use other cryptic and obscure bible quotes to support their position.

Answer 3

While I am not a Christian, I don't see where capital punishment is congruent with the teachings of Christ. I think that capital punishment is absolutely barbaric. And looking at the mentality of the average person, I certainly would not want to be judged by a jury composed of the general public. The cost of putting someone to death is actually higher than keeping them in prison for the rest of their life. I do not see where capital punishment fits into any religion. But then again, people cherry pick the Bible to substantiate anything they want, be it immoral or just plain against common sense.

Answer 4

You have at least one answer which is wrong on deterrence.

The death penalty isn’t a deterrent. Murder rates are actually higher in states with the death penalty than in states without it. Moreover, people who kill or commit other serious crimes do not think they will be caught (if they think at all.) "Deterrence" means persuading someone other than the person executed not to commit the same crime. "Incapacitation means preventing a criminal from reoffending." Both the death penalty and life without parole incapicitate. 48 states now have life without parole on the books. It means what it says and it is surely not a picnic to be locked up in a tiny cell, forever. Life without parole begins immediately which is an important criterion for a punishment to be a deterrent.

Answer 5

A "true Christian" need only recognize that Jesus died for his/her sins, and pray for forgiveness forthose sins.

All other actions and inactions will be recounted on the day of judgement.

Answer 6

Jesus never said his execution was illegal or "unjust". Many Christians take the attitude of the sophists as expressed best by Socrates in the Crito.

Personally, I am against the death penalty. It is becuase of my faith as well as for political reasons.

Answer 7

You need laws and you have to have consequences for when a crime is committed. Capital Punishment is a form of consequence and if used properly, it can be a deterrent.

Answer 8

He also said "vengenance is mine" but used people to carry out that vengenance. I think CP is appropriate in a lot of cases and not in others. Sadam, for instance, deserved to die.

Answer 9

Part of God's Law is to obey Man's law. Besides it protects society from these monsters.

Answer 10

As a Christian who believes in CP(Strongly).I would say yes.
The scriptures you quoted are important,but we have the right to protect ourselves from the wolves.