Why does America still have Capital Punishment in some states??

Question

Despite America claiming to be a Christian country they still defy Christs' teaching that an "eye for an eye" is wrong.Also since the introduction of DNA testing many executions were exposed as just plain wrong--innocent people were murdered by the state--& no-one is taking the blame.When will this barbarous act be abolished??
http://gadbuddhaa.tripod.com/deathpenaltyarguments.htm
Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for
a tooth: 39But I say unto you, That ye RESIST NOT EVIL: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy
right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Answer 1

Jesus Christ was teaching to ordinary people, not heads of state. It is the business of the state to enforce criminal penalties, but it is not the business of an ordinary person. Jesus did not say that there should be no criminal penalties, just that we should commit no retribution against one another. If someone should strike you, you should not resist, but does that mean they should not suffer the consequences? Suppose a man kills your son. You should not kill him, but the state has a responsibility to protect every citizen from this murderer, not for retribution, but for the well-being of society.

Answer 2

OK...you come back and tell us about it after someone kidnaps, rapes, and murders YOUR baby girl....
I guess it all depends on WHOSE tooth we're talking about, doesn't it?

Actually, the eye for an eye rule meant that you could only exact an equal payment for the wrong done to you. Thus, asking for several million dollars because you got burned by some hot coffee would be OUT...
But if someone steals your pig, you have the right to take his pig as recompense.
If someone murders a member of your family, you have the right to seek justice for that person.