As a Christian, is it inconsistent to support the death penalty and oppose abortion?

Question

There are a number of applicable passages in the Bible, as well as a number of additional sources in the various Christian faiths.

The two most significant points as relates to this issue are that we are not to kill, and we are not to judge others (or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we are not to judge others vengefully.)

So can we justify ending a 'guilty' life, while protecting an 'innocent' one?

Answer 1

Hmm. That's a good question. In my opinion *and I freely admit that I could be wrong* But "an eye for an eye" was part of Mosaic Law, which was changed when Jesus was Crucified. I looked, but couldn't find any passages that said it was okay to kill someone that hurt you in the New Testament. So, yes, I think it's inconsistant to support the death penalty and oppose abortion at the same time. The ten commandments *which weren't changed* says "Thou shalt not kill", not "Thou shalt not kill unless..." you know? Murder, in any shape or form, is wrong and cannot be justified.

Answer 2

I think the death penalty is good in some cases for known murderers who have killed on multiple occasions- of course their guilt having been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. (Certainly no one that is in jail for one murder only or cases where they cannot verify that someone has actually commited such crimes). The way I see it, when such a person is put to death it ensures that no more innocent people will die at that person's hand. The question always remains, "What if such a murderer escaped from prison?". In my view, someone who kills that often will probably kill again. So if they were to escape from a prison, who would be the next victim? I don't see any hypocrisy in this since I think it would actually save innocent people from violent deaths. EDIT: Ok, so I was really on a tangent. It doesn't bother me that Republicans support the death penalty for the most part. Then again, I don't bother too much with court cases in general so I don't know the specifics of each death penalty case. So I might be overlooking something. 2nd edit: To clarify for kerrisonr. When I say someone is "innocent" what I mean (in this case) is "someone who has not murdered another human being". And yes, as a Christian I do believe that babies and little children are innocent and free of sin.

Answer 3

The death penalty is only carried out on a willing participant. Anyone who wants to avoid being killed by the death penalty can easily do so. All they have to do is avoid murdering people. Anyone who is too stupid to know that the death penalty exists for murder is considered insane and cannot be killed with the death penalty. Therefore, when someone who knows about the death penalty chooses to murder someone else, they are giving up their right to live and giving consent to be killed by the death penalty.

In contrast, a human fetus is not asked or even made aware of its impeding demise until it is too late. If a prematurely born human child has the right to live six months after conception, then an unborn human fetus should have the same right. They are biologically identical and their minds have developed to the exact same point prior to birth.

The fact that humans born prematurely are at increased risk of mental disabilities proves that the mind of an unborn fetus develops faster than that of a prematurely born infant does after birth. If it is okay to use abortion to kill a fetus late in the pregnancy, then there is no logical reason why it isn't okay to use infanticide to kill a prematurely born infant. If a child must be removed from its mother's womb to save her life late in the pregnancy, there is no reason why it must first have its arms and legs hacked off and its brains sucked out through a hose.

Answer 4

I have always had a hard time with the abortion issue, being raped at 13 and have a child because of it has always made me think twice. Would I let my daughter get an abortion if she was raped? As for the death penalty, that one is hard for me too, at one point I'm for it (out of anger like towards the man that murdered my brother) but I don't want to be the one who pulls the switch. I have been saved for 8 years and those two issues have always played a difficult part in my walk. Pray for the right answer. Go by your faith on it, count on it and not on man's answers.
good luck

Answer 5

Yes, it is inconsistent, but since when has Christianity been consistent.

The bible also says "let he who is without sin cast the first stone", as quoted by Jesus, but in the Christian faith there has been untold judging of others for being different, killing of abortion doctors, condemnation of gays, and on and on and on. All of that clearly makes many Christians guilty of casting the "first stone", despite their faith's inherent that all are sinners.

Christianity is rife with contradictions, and so it should come as no surprise that there is plenty with this issue too.

Anyone who is pro-life and pro-death penalty is a hypocrite.

Answer 6

There is an obvious difference in murder and putting someone to death to protect society. The Bible tells us to protect the innocent and defenseless. That is what pro lifers are trying to do. An unborn child is totally defenseless and innocent. A person who is sentenced to death, on the other hand is a danger to society. Only the most heinous of criminals receive the death penalty. There is certainly a difference in my mind. It should also serve as a deterrent to others who might reconsider if they thought they might be put to death for murder.God bless!!!

Answer 7

So-called members of the religious right who support the death penalty ignore Jesus's direct teaching, "Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone," which He stated to the crowd about to execute Mary Magdalene.

Non-believers in Jesus can perhaps more rationally support the death penalty but oppose abortion, based on the argument that an unborn child has done nothing wrong and shouldn't be killed, while criminals who have done something wrong and can be put to death. They, presumably, don't have to worry about following Jesus's teachings. They can follow Hammurabi.

But Christians who support the death penalty are directly ignoring the word of God and are no less sinful than those who support abortion rights. (And I'd like to see the Catholic Bishop who suggested John Kerry shouldn't receive Holy Communion say the same about all Catholic politicians who are pro-death penalty.) Such so-called Christians really should find another religion--one whose God didn't preach directly against executions. maybe whatever Hammurabi's religion was would work for them.

Answer 8

No! If a person kills someone, except in self defense, they
should die the same way there victim died. Lets not wait
25 years. Rape and murder a child and die about the same
way the child did. Crying and begging for there life. Seems we
must wait till they get use to the idea and then worry if the
needle is going to heart too much. Bull! "An eye for an eye
and a tooth for a tooth" Remember that one? Abortion is murder of a person that never committed a crime. BIG
difference. Hope that helps.

Answer 9

I am a Christian, opposed to abortion and I suppose I struggle with the death penalty - probably coming down on the support side.

Abortion is so obviously wrong..............

Death penatly: It would be wrong for me to take personal vengance on a murderer but, as a society, we must have law and order and justice. We would have chaos if people murderered others and we said, "Well, it's not for me to judge."

A life is so valuable that any one who willingly takes it must pay with their own life..............and if it is a deterrent to crime is not the issue.

I consider it all the same as a soldier "killing" an enemy. We don't try them for murder and we don't hold them responsible for enemy deaths.

Also, the correct translation of "Thou shalt not kill" is Thou shall not murder" -- the newer translations use the more proper meaning. There is a vast difference and the translation in English in the King James is not correct.

Answer 10

I've always felt that a person can oppose abortion and support the death penalty. There is a difference between the two in my eyes. Abortion is killing an innocent child who is not even born yet; however, the death penalty is executing a criminals who has continued to commit horrific crimes despite the numerous attempt to rehabilitate that person.