Do christians believe in capital punishment?

Question

It appalls me that the USA still carries out capital punishment. To my mind as an atheist, no one has the right to decide to take another person's life. The USA is supposedly a christian nation. Don't christians believe that only God has the right to decide who should die?

I might add that capital punishment was abolished decades ago in Australia (where I live) & Europe.

Many now regard it as an indication of just how civilised a country is.

Answer 1

to me, capital punishment is just like going on the street and murdering someone.

Answer 2

Good question. The answer is no. However, like most topics, you can find Biblical support for either side if you look hard enough. As Shakespeare once wrote, “the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” There are indeed many passages in the Old Testament that support capital punishment, often for relatively mild offenses: - Adultery (Leviticus 20:10) - Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16) - Breaking the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14 & 15) - Disobedient children (Exodus 21:15 & 17; Leviticus 20:9) - Homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13) - Failing to control your livestock (Exodus 21:29) - Not being a virgin on your wedding night (but only if you're a woman - Deuteronomy 22:20-21) The New Testament (starring Jesus) is primarily ANTI-death penalty. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus praises mercy (Matthew 5:7) and rejects “an eye for an eye” (Matthew 5:38-39). James 4:12 says that GOD is the only one who can take a life in the name of justice. Romans 12:17-21 warns us against answering evil with evil, and assures us that God will see to justice in the afterlife. In John 8:7, Jesus points out that all humans are imperfect, and therefore unqualified to decide whether someone lives or dies. My personal favorite is James 1:20: “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” There are many, many practical problems with capital punishment (that I won't get into here), but purely from a moral standpoint, it is pretty clear that Jesus did not support it. True CHRISTians shouldn’t, either. I hope that helps. Good luck on your homework!

Answer 3

I'm sort of wondering, if you are an atheist, where does the word "right" as in "no-one has the right" come from?

A person who commits terrible crimes and cannot be rehabilitated should what ... be fed and housed at great expense to the community indefinitely?

As far as the United States being a Christian Nation, that's a view of only some Christians, and no-one else.

I'm not a general fan of capital punishment, but I do think that in the rare case, where a criminal has shown complete disdain for other human life, cannot be rehabilitated, will never be a contributor to society, and there is undeniable proof of guilt, then perhaps that person should be put to death. Part of it is a deterent, and part of it is the statement that certain evils will not be tolerated.

Then again, I'm not a Christian..

Answer 4

I am not an atheist however I do believe that only God holds the keys to life and death. The old letter of the law allowed an eye for an eye. For instance if you're caught stealing you lose a hand. Look at your neighbors wife you lose an eye. The Book of Timothy states that God established the laws of the land. We, Americans, choose capital punishment as a method of punishment therefore if someone chooses to break the law worthy of death (in man's eyesight) then that is his just punishment. Example, three people are driving in their own lanes. One of them is a police officer. The other driver stops at the red light, the police officer stops but you keep going. Do you get punished or does the police officer allow you to keep driving? If you know the law but still break the law, then you are accountable.

Answer 5

1. The USA has Never, since it's conception claimed a National Language or Creed (Religion, if you weren't aware).

2. I am a Christian and while the bible clearly states that the ultimate punishment is given by God at the time of death, it also very clearly states that both the laws AND the PUNISHMENTS of the land are to be upheld.

3. Therefore, in my mind...the decision that was made to take someone's life/lives (only people who have killed multiple times) has a fitting punishment for their lives to be taken in turn. I mean, come on, it's not like these MASS MURDERERS (WHO ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT GET THE DEATH PENALTY) should be allowed to spend their lives in jail....

they don't give the death penalty to everyone.

Answer 6

You say that another person is not to take another persons life, then you need to tell that to the criminals & not The Government of the USA, Yes I believe in capital punishment & yes I am a Christian & yes I am a USA citizen. You should have told those islamic people before 9/11 happen, not to do it. Hey you should hav knon about 9/11 before it happened, Don't the athiests get on here trying to convince the world that they know everything. Now you ask is God the only one that can take life, That is true, when we execute those killers, Then God takes that soul & put it in hell.

Answer 7

I am a Christian and I do not believe in capital punishment. I DO believe that only God has the right to decide who should live and who should die.

Answer 8

Believe in??? no, but I believe that it happens...

The USA is not the only country to carry out capital punsihment.

I do not believe it should occur, because I'm Christian, and putting someone to Death only gets someone away from a world which they should face up to for their crimes. Heavenly Father will punish those people anyway for their crimes, particularly as in the US I believe that it only happens for 1st Degree Murder. and they have already broken a commandment "Thou shalt not kill."

and as for the USA not being a Christian Nation. All of the presidents that I can think of were Protestant, and I believe JFK was assasinated was because he was a Roman Catholic... how biased is that??? oh and there's the statement that most of the contemporary Christian religions came from the US.... J.Ws, L-D.S's (Mormons) and S.D.A's

Answer 9

The Bible says something about an Eye for an eye, etc. I think that may be where Christians get the notion that they have the right to kill someone else in the name of punishment and in the name of war.

I think it is insane to decide to kill a person because they did something wrong. If God is real, and he is the one who casts judgement, why don't they let him deal with it.

Answer 10

The USA is leaning far from the teachings of Christ I'm afraid.
Only 30% say they are born again when the bible teaches if one is not born again they will not see the kingdom of heaven.
I am a christian and I don't think we should have capitol punishment but life terms for serious crimes. For many reasons.
Here's something else to think about. Here in the US we have abortion. Most non christians support abortion but not capital punishment. And vise versa...crazy world eh? Criminals have rights but babies do not, they call it a choice, for whom?
†

Answer 11

I think everyone has a different opinion of capital punishment.
Since I believe that God will judge righteously in the end, death is only the first step in eternal judgment..its not the worst thing that could happen to a person.
I believe a person should pay for their crimes, some things that people have done are appalling.