How can right wing christian believers support the death penalty?

Question

Jesus Christ died on the cross, how can any true beliver think that he is pro death penalty?

Answer 1

Shakespeare once wrote, "the Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."

It is true that there are many Bible passages (especially in the OT) that support capital punishment, often for relatively slight 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)
- Not being a virgin on your wedding night (but only if you're a woman - Deuteronomy 22:13-22)

But, there are many passages (esp. in the New Testament) that are ANTI-death penalty. For example, Matthew 5:38-39 insists that violence shall not beget violence. James 4:12 says that God is the only one who can take a life in the name of justice. Leviticus 19:18 warns against vengeance (which, really, is what the death penalty amounts to). In John 8:7, Jesus himself says, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

There are many, many practical problems with capital punishment (that I won't get into here), but purely from a moral standpoint, I can't imagine that Jesus would support it. True Christians shouldn't, either.

Answer 2

1. Did he resist the Crucifixion?
2. Biblical law requires the death penalty for certain crimes.

If Christ submitted to the death penalty when he committed no crime, how could that possibly lead you to believe he would oppose the death penalty for those who are actually guilty?

Answer 3

I do not believe in the death penalty. I think we should take a look at the two first, and most major sins in the Bible. Neither of which lead to God killing the sinner.

God punished Adam and Eve, but did not kill them when this disobeyed him.

God spared Cain, after Cain murdered his brother.

If you use the Bible as a guide, the man most responsible for the spread of Christianity - besides Jesus himself - St. Paul the Damascene, murdered numerous times, and God spared him and made him a Saint.

If you believe in Christ and the Bible, you should follow its clearest messages - God loves (man should love), God never sins (man should not sin), God forgives (man should forgive).

Answer 4

I believe in the death penalty because I do not condone the taking of an innocent life. If someone thinks it is their right to take the life of an innocent person, that's ok too. Just be prepared to face the death penalty for your actions.

How do you know what Jesus thought? If he said, Thou Shall Not Kill, who was he talking to? Do you know?

Answer 5

I have never understood that bit either. I was brought up a Scottish Presbyterian and the religion was part of home (for most kids) and school (unless you were RC). All that I was taught leads me to conclude that we should love sinners and encourage them to walk with us along the path that Christ walked. The way that some right-wing Christians act leads me to think that they do love sinners - chiefly themselves.

Answer 6

Because in this country a life sentence is not always a life sentence. Also, jails are required to have rather high standards, including better medical care then many honest citizens have, which means that we end up supporting these horrible criminals. Also, you would have to be pretty evil to do something when you know you could die for it.

Answer 7

In the bible Jesus said, "Thou who have not sinned may cast the first stone."

And being the right wing christians all think they are perfect and have never committed a single sin, they are free to cast all the stones they want.

Answer 8

without the death penalty things get out of control, as in gangs etc, drug runners, and bandits. some of the things punished as capital crimes are very heinious.

Answer 9

Cause the Bible also instructs that we should follow mans law as well as Gods.

Answer 10

Eye for an eye.

Some... believe in that aspect.