why are pro lifers generally pro death penalty?

Question

it seem like a fairly large contradiction to me, anyone can clearly see this is religious fundamentalism in our own backyard!

Answer 1

Why are pro baby murderers generally anti death penalty. How can they kill the innocent, but not the guilty?

Answer 2

Many people, including pro lifers, support the death penalty because of concerns that killers will be released into their communities, and because they do not yet have the practical facts about the death penalty system itself. Here are a few facts, verifiable and sourced-

Re: 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 about the consequences or even that they will be caught (if they think at all.)

Re: Alternatives
48 states have life without parole on the books. It means what it says, is swift and sure and is rarely appealed. Being locked in a tiny cell for 23 hours a day, forever, is certainly no picnic. Life without parole incapacitates a killer (keeps him from re-offending) and costs considerably less than the death penalty.

Re: cost
The death penalty costs far more than life in prison. The huge extra costs start to mount up even before the trial. Much of this is due to the complicated pretrial investigations and the nature of the (2 stage) death penalty trials. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime.

Re: Possibility of executing an innocent person
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence, many having already served over 2 decades on death row. If we speed up the process we are bound to execute an innocent person. Once someone is executed the case is closed. If we execute an innocent person the real criminal is still out there and will have successfully avoided being charged.

Re: DNA
DNA is available in less than 10% of murder cases. It’s not a miracle cure for sentencing innocent people to death. It’s human nature to make mistakes.

Re: Who gets the death penalty
The death penalty isn’t reserved for the “worst of the worst,” but rather for defendants with the worst lawyers. When is the last time a wealthy person was sentenced to death, let alone executed??

Re: Victims families
The death penalty is very hard on victims’ families. They must relive their ordeal in the courts and the media. Life without parole is sure, swift and rarely appealed. Some victims families who support the death penalty in principal prefer life without parole because of how the death penalty affects families like theirs.

Opposing the death penalty doesn’t mean you condone brutal crimes or excuse people who commit them. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning the facts and making up their minds using common sense, not revenge or an eye for partisan slogans.

Answer 3

Personally I'm pro-choice and pro death penalty, but I can see where you are coming from.

Basically "pro-lifers" try to keep the issues as seperate as possible until backed into a corner, at which point it becomes clear that the are only "pro-life" in certain circumstances--kind of like animal rights activists who believe in protecting cute and cuddly animals, but couldn't care less about, say, scorpians or cockroaches.

It's a basis clash between principles and practicalities. That doesn't make their views any less sincere (or valid) but at some point they should acknowledge that there's a discrepancy in their position, rather than pretending that the gap isn't there.

Answer 4

I'm pro-choice.

I'm not "for" the death penalty, but I'm not going to picket against it, either. I'd prefer to see an overhaul of the penal system and the legalization of drugs, which would free up plenty of space in the prison system so we don't feel a pressing need to release violent offenders back into the general population.

I suppose I'm on the "let them rot" side of that argument.

And do I really need to keep reminding people that abortion is not murder? I found it very interesting that many "pro-lifers" don't mind using an IUD when it's personal; when it's them - they have no trouble justifying it.

The judgmental ones. Hell is waiting!

Answer 5

I am pro-life but I do not think any crime, no matter how heinous deserves the death penalty. Sure, I get all worked up when I read or hear about serial killers, rapists etc but I think it's better to give a life sentence than to kill another human being. And there is really no need to attack anyone's religious views based on whether they are pro-life or pro-choice. There are a lot of pro-choice Christians out there. I am just not one of them.

Answer 6

You just asked this question to get 80 % of the population to jump up and down, I like it.

They get to sit in judgement. To point out other peoples failings while not assessing their own is so easy and fun too. These are the same people who would line up to see the games in ancient Rome. Just swap the christians for unwed teenage mothers to be and 14 year old kids who sat in the same car as their "accomplice" shot someone.
By making the person suffer it abdicates all responsibility for their fellow man.
PS - is that the word I was looking for?

Answer 7

One life is an innocent baby; another is guilty of a major crime, most likely the taking of a life through an act of violence. There's a huge difference. As for the phrase "religious fundamentalism", you are way off on your premise. Even non-religious people believe in the death penalty.

Answer 8

I'm against both abortion AND the death penalty. But I'll grant you I'm in the minority. And I agree, it is hypocritical. Although conservatives would say the two are apples and oranges, not apples to apples.

I guess it depends on your higher moral principal. I am pro-life. We may only kill in self defense, period. A man strapped to a chair is as defenseless as any baby in womb.

Just another reason I'm an Independent.

Answer 9

The death penalty should be reserved for those people who are the worst of criminals. If you commit murder, you should be returned in kind. Raping children should be punished by death.

A baby did nothing to anyone except be born. The baby didn't choose to be concieved. That's an active choice between two people who can't control themselves.

I have three scenarios in which I would agree, hestitantly, to a form of abortion. In the case of rape, within a reasonable amount of time, the "rape pill" should be used. In the case of the threat to the mother, a choice must be made. One of them are going to die, we have the ability to choose. I do not envy the choice, but it should be considered. Lastly, in the case of a condition in which the child is in such a state as it will not live outside the womb for any length time.

Answer 10

It is not a contradiction.
Because one is innocent and the other is guilty.
It is not the same.
The later would also be guilty of hurting innocent people and if allowed to live might hurt them again. They lost their rights through crime and need to be removed from society.
Babies have not committed any crimes.
People who are up on death penalty charges have killed people thus making their own life forfit.
I have 3 children.
I would fit into the above category pro life and pro death penalty and I am not a fundamentalist or very religious.
I would ok abortion in some cases of rape or a very deformed baby, but most are not that. I think that the death penalty should be used much more often, like for 90% of all murderers and sex offenders. If you knew how sex offenders thought you would not want them in the world. They are not going to change or be rehabilitated so why waste our time and money?

Answer 11

wow the responses to this point are from people who obviously can't get past baser human instinct and think on a higher level. Will killing the one who killed really do anything? Personally the greater punishment is leaving them to rot in prison anyway. It isn't even economically sensible to execute as it costs more then a life sentence in prison. If you want to live by Hammurabi's code go ahead, but it solves nothing. Reformation is suppose to be the goal of our system though which means if it is possible to reform a murderer it should be attempted.