What does everything think about capital punishment for those who commit heinous crimes?

Question

The Scriptures state to forgive and pray for the enemy. It states that vengeance is the Lord and that He will repay.

Answer 1

i could never serve on a jury with capital punishment as a possible sentence...but i'm a firm believer in "render unto caesar that which is caesar's", including the right of a state to democratically choose its' criminal punishments...

Answer 2

In addition to whatever moral sense people bring to this issue and what they think about vengeance, people ought to have the facts about the death penatly system. Here are answers to questons often asked about it- the sources are listed below.

What about the risk of executing innocent people?
124 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence.

Doesn't DNA keep new cases like these from happening?
DNA is available in less than 10% of all homicides. It is not a guarantee against the execution of innocent people.

Doesn't the death penalty prevent others from committing murder?
No reputable study shows the death penalty to be a deterrent. To be a deterrent a punishment must be sure and swift. The death penalty is neither. Homicide rates are higher in states that have it than in states that do not.

So, what are the alternatives?
Life without parole is now on the books in 48 states. It means what it says. It is sure and swift and rarely appealed. Life without parole is less expensive than the death penalty.

But isn't the death penalty cheaper than keeping criminals in prison?
The death penalty costs much more than life in prison, largely because of the legal process. Extra costs include those due to the complicated nature of both the pre trial investigation and of the trials (involving 2 separate stages, mandated by the Supreme Court) in death penalty cases and subsequent appeals. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime.

What about the very worst crimes?
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??

Doesn't the death penalty help families of murder victims?
Not necessarily. Murder victim family members across the country argue that the drawn-out death penalty process is painful for them and that life without parole is an appropriate alternative.

So, why don't we speed up the process?
Over 50 of the innocent people released from death row had already served over a decade. If the process is speeded up we are sure to execute an innocent person.

But don’t Americans prefer the death penalty as the most serious punishment?
Not any more. People are rethinking their views, given the facts and the records on innocent people sentenced to death. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning about the system and we are making up our minds based on facts, not eye for an eye sound bites.

Answer 3

I've debated many times over this question and still have not made up my mind.

God made life so he should be the one to take it right? We are commanded in the Bible (like you said) to pray for our enemies and forgive. Vengeance should be left for the Lord to deal with. And as Christians, we are suppose to follow Jesus's example. Do you see Jesus going up and killing someone like that? I don't. I see Him doing exactly what the Bible says to do. Pray. Forgive.

However, we can forgive people but that doesn't make them exempt from their consequences of their actions. Also, if you think about it, captial punishment is a form of government punishent. In the Bible Jesus never challenged the government or tried to go agaisnt the rules that were already placed. No where in the Bible are we told to go agaisnt the rules of our government. .So if we are suppose to follow Jesus's example as Christians then should we challenge a form of government punishment.

"Do you see Jesus going up and killing someone like that? I don't. I see Him doing exactly what the Bible says to do. Pray. Forgive." If you think about it. .I can't see Jesus locking someone up in a cage-like room either. So should we question putting people in jail, too?

And if you think about hard enough you might even question having any earthly punishment. .afterall. .God's the only one who has the right to judge.

(these are just my thoughts about the subject. .I'm still not sure what I fully think about it)

Answer 4

It is very hard to say this ,But.
As a Christian-pro life, I do believe in capital punishment.
People who kill others ,child molesters , allowing them to live is giving them another chance to commit again.
What if you found out the person who had molested children ,over and over again moved in next door?
Or a murderer moved in next door?Can you live with that?They have to live some where.Prisons are to small to keep everyone.
Charles Manson has cost the state of California over a million dollars to Feed,house,dress,medical,and court fees.
This man and his crew should have been put to death with in a year.They can never be set free,so they get better medical then my grand children.
Sorry, God, said love one another ,I love you so much -if I saw a snake come to harm you I would kill it.I don't even know you ,but I would still protect the Innocent.<><

Answer 5

I think capital punishment is the only way to go. I don't care about your Scriptures or your Lord.

Answer 6

I heard about some people (I think the Eskimos) would punish people by putting them on a island with a knife and the clothes on their backs and leave them there for a few months. If you were still alive when they went back, you could rejoin society. If not, they mourned you.

Answer 7

Capital Idea!

Answer 8

If you are pro-life, then how do you also be pro-death penalty?

I am pro-CHOICE and anti death penalty. I just don't see how the death penalty makes the world a better place. . .

I am sure someone will tell me how wrong I am.

Answer 9

God forgives, men don't
I think they are demon influenced and must pay for crimes
they just get out and do it again
Child Molesters repeat and repeat
That is hideous!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Forgiveness does not remove consequences.