Why does "Christian"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/deathp...
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

Many people just don't know the facts about the death penalty system- that it does not prevent or reduce crime, that it risks executing innocent people. Instead they cling to mistaken beliefs that, somehow, the death penalty will keep them safe from the worst criminals.

However, because of the growing number (now 124) of innocent people finally released from death row with evidence of their innocence, Americans are taking another look at capital punishment.

More and more Americans are expressing a preference for life without parole as the most serious punishment. They know it means what it says, it is sure and swift (necessary for a punishment to be a deterrent) while the death penalty is neither sure nor swift, and it costs much less than the death penalty.

Note to Garden Lady (answer just before mine.): The death penalty is much more expensive than life in prison, mostly because of the extremely complicated and lengthy legal process (the only way to avoid executing innocent people.) Check out www.deathpenaltyfocus.org for more about why it costs more.

Answer 2

I wish I could say that America is a Christian country but alas I don't think it is. There are many Christians in America but far more non Christians. I live in one of those states that has capital punishment and you must know that no one is executed right away. There are usually years of appeals that go by before the sentence is carried out. It is my opinion that part of the reason for us having such a high crime rate in America is because there is no deterrent to crime. Many people have no regard for the lives of others yet they value their own lives. If it was certain that taking a life or lives would end in losing their own lives many people would think twice about doing such a crime. We build more and more prisons to house more and more criminals and we even let some of them go early because of overcrowding. Of course, I don't think that "petty criminals" deserve the death penalty but it is my opinion that keeping a monster like Charles Manson alive all these years is punishing the tax payers as well as him. I have no figures on how much he has cost the state of California but there was no reason for that man to live after all that he had done. I think that he and others who are guilty of heinous crimes against humanity do indeed deserve the death penalty and the sooner the better. It does grieve me that some innocent people have been executed but it also grieves me that many guilty people have been set free to rob, kill and molest again because of some technicality. I think that Jesus was referring to our personal relationships with people and that we shouldn't try to avenge ourselves, in other words he didn't want us to do to others as they have done unto us. If someone mistreats you and you are a Christian, don't try to pay them back by treating them the same way that they treated you. Pray for them and you may win them because a gentle answer can difuse a hot situation. However, if someone murders your child, spouse or parent that person should be held responsible for their actions. Someone who brutally takes the life of another deserves the death penalty. A killer cannot be rehabilitated and we should not waste time and money trying.

Answer 3

You seem to be hung up on the idea of people turning the other cheek and acting like meek little bowls of Christian tapioca. Nowhere is it written that Christians can't have opinions or defend themselves against the words and actions of evil men.

Christian America is largely a misnomer now, thanks to the profusion of gay rights, abortion mills, pornography, adultery, witchcraft, and other things that God has spoken out against in His Word. And even if Christians did make all the laws and interpret them, that's not to say that they would all agree with the other person's opinion.

I am anti-death penalty for the very reasons you cite -- miscarriages of justice and the possibility of new and better techniques to determine guilt. But to quote the "eye for an eye" passage to justify the idea that Christians have no right to act or speak in their own defense is a load of holy horse manure. That attitude has led to the eroding of our civil liberties and will continue to do so as long as Christians believe they have no right to speak up.

Answer 4

i understand have been you're coming from yet I definitely experience that there are sadistic prisoners that cannot be rehabilitated/make a contribution to society and be risk-free. as nicely it particularly is a waste of money to detain severe possibility persons. As they dedicate homicide, rape, and different sadistic events to different prisoners (look it up). a number of those loss of life row adult men have completed some issues that a lot of human beings might desire to no longer cope with mentally. Now for some human beings, the regulations of biblical/non secular morale rule their lives and can have a distinctive look in this. Myself being agnostic evaluate homicide to be immoral and ethical subjectively. there should not be a deterrent element against crime it quite is widely used situation it particularly is ever persevering with. it could basically be decreased,or better yet no longer eradicated. playstation : and for people who're making generalized statements on "Libs" please instruct some politeness and sensibility as you're additionally representing your self and your occasion and competence for the asker, the question isn't that far fetched and nor did the guy state is partisan pastimes. as nicely no longer all libs are anti-capital punishment.

Answer 5

At least you agree that America is still a Christian nation...but barely. God commanded it, in Genesis, Deuteronomy and Numbers. Jesus also reminded us about the death penalty if we even thought about men.
An eye for an eye is what Jesus didn't want people to resort to if there was not a Godly reconciliation for certain crimes
To turn the other cheek wasn't a command to be a door mat. You only have one cheek, and if the enemy continues to strike, you don't stand there and take it!
Jesus was a public figure, and the Jews knew him as God, because he showed Himself to be God. Buddha's claim to fame were mere fables, and they were made up as the years went by.

Answer 6

Johnny Zondo---just about EVERY single reasonably wealthy country in the world--with the exception of the US--has abolished capital punishment.

Who does the US share the distinction of state-sponsored killing with? China, Taiwan, Korea, Zimbabwe, Burma, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Cambodia...to name a few.

Randi G--the Bibble was written BEFORE the days of hanging, drawing and quartering. Just to give you an indication of how far removed we should be from the days when people (not God) wrote that book

Answer 7

America is NOT and NEVER has been a CHIRISTIAN Country! Such statements would cause our founding Fathers to roll over. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and the list goes on. Read your history and a few bios before your next question such as this one.

Answer 8

The Catholic Church has been leading the fight against the death penalty in twelve different countries for fifteen years now. Where have you been? or are you confused as to the meaning of "Christian"? 75% of the world's Christians are Catholic so unless you specify otherwise it is to be assumed you are referring to Catholics and the Church. You've never heard of Sister prejean? or the movie "Dead Man Walking"? never heard the Pope revile this inhuman practice? We have the same view on the death penalty that we do on so-called "abortion',and for the same reason: our respect for the sanctity of life.

Answer 9

The real question is why some of Christian America is so hot on Pro-Life in the abortion issue, and 180 degrees different on Capital Punishment!

Answer 10

You seemed to forget a few verses:

----------------------------
"Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made man."
~Genesis 9:6 (NIV)
[Notice that God said that this covenant was to last as long as there was a rainbow in the sky. We still have rainbows, even under the New Testament]

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
~Romans 13:3-5 (NIV)