Atheistic view on capital punishments.?

Question

This question is directed to atheists, but anyone is free to answer (but please indicate who you are).
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My question is as follows -
Since we, atheists, don't believe in an after world, or any sort of life after death, should we support capital punishment? Death isn't anyway a punishment for us unlike those people who believe in Hell. Now that we don't believe in Hell, isn't life imprisonment the best punishment method? Killing frees a many from any responsibility (Heck, I'd go for death instead of life imprisonment if I had the choice).
Once again, please don't forget to indicate if you're an atheist.
Thanks.

Answer 1

I am an atheist and I am strongly opposed to the death penalty. Human life is precious beyond words, and I cannot imagine any reason to destroy it.

Answer 2

I'm more of a spiritual atheist so I don't totally rule out some sort of afterlife but it's not one that involves judgment or anything.

I don't really go for the death penalty since it is a 'way out' for the criminal. I don't really see where the punishment is if the person is dead and basically 'set free'. I also don't believe that any person should kill any other person unless it is in self defense. Once you've captured the criminal, I don't see why the person needs to be killed since they shouldn't be a threat to anyone anymore. I think it's somewhat barbaric. Sadly, I do feel some sort of satisfaction when a serial killer is put to death. I believe that's my own sick mind and that doesn't mean it's the 'right' thing to do.

Answer 3

Atheist.

Truth is, it's more expensive to execute people than it is to house them for life because our current system is very inefficient.

Realistically, capital punishment isn't doing diddly. It's certainly not deterring anyone from committing crimes, and there is really no point in ending their lives once they've been removed from society.

Prison isn't a good option either. A lot of lifers are better off in prison than they are on the streets. Plus, we have so much over-crowding due to people being inprisoned for bs charges that really could be dealt with in a much more efficient manner.

And death is a punishment for atheists, but I think it requires a certain amount of intelligence for one to contemplate it logically.

Really, we need an entirely new system that will not only deter low-lifes, but one that will use them as resources to make up for all the money we spend on housing and processing them.

Answer 4

I think life imprisonment is much more of a punishment than death. If you're dead, that's it. But if you're locked up for your whole life without the possibility of being released that's, well, hell. I'm an atheist and I've always believed this

Answer 5

I am not an atheist...... I didn't think capital punishment had anything to do with hell or life after death. I have always believed capital punishment was about ridding society of a person who has committed an horrendous crime and is a danger to society. Personally I am not for capital punishment.

Answer 6

I am not an atheist, I am a Christian. I support the death penalty, but not for the reason you may think. Yes, by my beliefs, the person will be judged and go to Heaven or Hell. But to me, if we sentence a person to death, there are two big benefits. The first is that there is no chance for an inmate to escape. Remember Alcatraz, the inescapable prison where someone escaped. And the second benefit is that the taxpayers do not have to feed and house the inmates for the rest of their lives.

Answer 7

My being an atheist has nothing to do with my stance on capital punishment. As a theist I did not agree with it, and as an atheist, I don't agree with it. I don't believe anybody has the moral or ethical right to take anyones life.

Answer 8

I'm not an athiest but I understand your question. Should someone who isn't afraid of what is waiting for them on the other side get off so easy. I think life in prison would be much worse - so long as they're not in solitary confinement.

Answer 9

I say fry the fu***rs and include drug dealers, rapists , child molesters and any crime that carries a penalty of more than 10yrs. and the taxes saved can now be used for victims of crime.
I am an atheist.