Why are most Republicans in favor of capital punishment, but not abortion?

Question

I'm not judging. I just would like to hear some explainations from Republicans on why this is so. Also, if you could refrain from posting long Biblical passages, and maybe just summarizing if you need to, I would appreciate that.

Since our justice system can be flawed, how to you justify the death of convicted criminals who are actually innocent?

It's not a simple question. That's why it's debatable.

So, everyone believes that a baby is a person at conception?

Road...I appreciate your answer. Thank you for being respectful. Here is a link from the ACLU about a man who was released from death row in 2002.

http://www.aclu.org/capital/innocence/10467prs20020409.html

Stepmiller-
I think the question comes down to when a fetus is considered to be a person. And of course there are other factors which play a role on why abortions is necessary. However, as someone has stated before, if you are against killing and think that every life is sacred, regardless of their actions, how can one be in favor of capital punishment, but not for abortion?

It's not cut and dry.
If you're in favor of the death penalty, then you are admitting that killing is ok sometimes. This also goes for "passion" crimes. The theory that someone deserved what was coming to them.
If a woman needs to have an abortion for a medical reason or because she was raped, what makes this action wrong? And please so give me a theory about her life should be in the hands of God, because it doesn't make sense in terms of the death penalty either.

Answer 1

Killing = killing

why is it killing to abort, but not when it is 'punishment'. Either or, guys, is killing equal to killing? You take a life, innocent or guilty, so what makes one righteous and the other criminal.

Answer 2

The very nature of a capital punishment case, automatic review, multiple appeals etc makes the chance of executing an innocent very small. The big flaw in the system is juries that react emotionally rather than logically such as the Peterson case, there was certainly reasonable doubt as the evidence was mostly circumstantial, yet the jury still voted for a death sentence (emotional). It will probably be reversed on appeal at some point, or the sentence reduced. As for abortion you are talking about two entirely different things, in one case (Capital Punishment) you are executing the guilty of an especially heinous crime and in the case of abortion you are killing an absolutely innocent person. My question would be how could someone who is against capital punishment before abortion as that really makes no sense since they want to save the guilty yet kill the innocent. Does that make sense to you?

Answer 3

That's an easy one ... it has to do with accountability for ones actions.

A murderer on death row made bad choices, adversely effecting the lives of many people. Based on our law (and yes even a sense of justice) this person has forfeited the right to continue to live, just at he/she arbitrarily took that right from another.

An unborn baby has not yet had the chance to make any decisions, good or bad. He/she deserves the chance to live.

Finally, as for the question of the "humanity" of an unborn child (not that you asked this question, I mean in a general sense) ... when are they truly alive? When the head exits the womb? when the entire body is out?

These days, a majority of people seem to think that a baby is alive and a "complete individual" when that baby is viable (can live outside the womb). With medical advances, this viability date gets earlier all the time.

So, the question I would ask is this ... what about the baby changed? Why is a 7-month old fetus now "alive", when 10 years ago he/she was "tissue"?

My personal opinion: I don't know precisely when an unborn baby is sentient. I would rather err on the side of NOT killing someone so totally innocent. The early ultrasounds on my two children showed me an individual who, while still totally dependent on the mother for life, still had his and her own personality and awareness.

Answer 4

Because they are two totally different issues. Capital Punishment is applied to those found guilty of heinous crimes.
Abortion is applied to "new life" that has committed no crime what so ever other than simply being inconvenient at the time.

While I am a Conservative Republican who supports the proper application of Capital Punishment I do NOT support the idea of banning abortion outright. I don't like the procedure and I think it's being abused but I feel there are times when it may be a true medical necessity and for that reason I think it's a medical choice that should remain available.

Chi-Guy please cite any documented examples of a truely innocent person ever being executed in the last 75-100 years in this country.

Answer 5

I think that many supporters of the death penalty are concerned that killers will be released into their communities.
This includes Democrats and Republicans.

However, you don't have to condone brutal crimes or want the criminals who commit them to avoid a harsh punishment to ask whether the death penalty prevents or even reduces crime and whether it risks killing innocent people. More and more people are asking about this and realizing that whatever they may believe about the death penalty in theory, its implementation is full of intractable problems.

BTW 48 states now have life without parole on the books. It means what it says at a fraction of the cost of the death penalty.

Answer 6

As much as many try to tie them together, these are two totally separate and unrelated topics.

Many like to paint with a broad brush and say that "conservatives" are all pro-life (anti-abortion) and pro-death penalty, while "liberals" are all pro-choice and anti-death penalty.

God help us if we're not just a little more complex than that.

There is no inherent contradiction in being pro-life and anti-death penalty, OR vice-versa.

These are both highly complex issues, and both deserve critical thought and constructive discussion. Unfortunately, both debates all too often devolve into name calling and the citing of bumper sticker slogans.

Answer 7

Capital punishment is meant to serve as a deterrent to crime. Those that commit the most awful crimes may forfeit their lives depending on how a judge reviews the case and what the jury decides. It makes sense that a punishment should fit a crime, and I believe that multiple murderers are good candidates for capital punishment. People who would behave as such do not belong amongst society. I don't know how you'd save them if you could, or how you would trust them if you did.

Abortion is murder, you are destroying an innocent life for convenience. In most cases, pregnancy happens by accident. Sex doesn't though. People need to be careful with what they do, not cave into the culture of convenience, which has gone so far as to legalize murder of un-born children because God forbid we'd have to be responsible.

Answer 8

Capital punishment is for those who have committed the worst of crimes whereas abortion is against the most innocent of lives.
Why do most leftist support abortion of the innocent yet condemn capital punishment for the truly vile.
Side note- I believe DNA and every other tool we have should be used in all death penalty cases to ensure we have the right person.

Answer 9

i think its totally hypocritical of so called Republican Christians that believe in the death penalty Its an embarrassment to my religion. I wish they would go and make their own special sect ..."if you are not one of us ( white christian male with submissive females) then you should die or serve me."
has a nice ring to it
NO one should have the right to take some ones life NO one
you are judged on how you treat the most lowest of society and they are failing the test
make me sick
dont even want to say i am a Christian to strangers afraid i will be lumped into that high and mighty killer crowd
Christians should stand for love and forgiveness
not killers!! please exam your heart and see why you are filled with hatred and ask for forgivness and guidance from Christ to help you be a better person
peace
...sorry poster if i talked to much about religion ...but at least i didnt use bible passages : ) ....peace

Answer 10

I'm in favor of cautious use of the first and...

I believe prohibition does not work, so even though I personally disagree with the second, it should remain legal and reduced through education.

I'm not a card-carrying Republican though, just end-up voting that way because there are rarely any other options.