Since Christ taught "an eye for an eye" is against Gods' Law-why does America still support capital punishment

Question

Even so-called Christians like GW Bush still support capital punishment despite the "mistakes" DNA have uncovered--despite the fact their Lord was killed by capital punishment--despite the fact it is more expensive for the taxpayers because of the Appeals process to execute someone than incarcerate them for life.Why is no-one held responsible for "mistaken" executions of an innocent person???
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/04/16/SC71409.DTL
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

Sounds like you have most of the facts. But some people who answered may not realize that---

The death penalty doesn't necessarily help families of murder victims. 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. (See below for more about life without parole and problems with speeding up the legal process.)

The death penalty is definitely not reserved for the worst crimes but for defendents with the worst lawyers. It doesn't apply to people with money. When is the last time a wealthy person was on death row, let alone executed?

124 people on death rows have already been released with evidence of their innocence. DNA is available in less than 10% of all homicides and isn’t a guarantee we won’t execute innocent people.

The death penalty doesn't 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 and regions that have it than in states that don’t.

We have a good alternative. 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.

The death penalty costs much more than life in prison, mostly because of the legal process which is supposed to prevent executions of innocent people.

Problems with speeding 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.

Edit for by Towelieban Barbie- check out www.journeyofhope.org about victims families who disagree

Answer 2

Interesting question and a very controversial one too.

It is true Jesus was against "eye for an eye" and forgiveness is the basis on which a society can truly live peacefully. It is ok for Christians to practice it individually but I doubt it can be implemented on a national level. This would give the criminals almost a free hand. Those who do not fear God will not be deterred by anything other than threat to their own lives. Generally people oppose capital punishment on the basis that it is barbaric. But what about the criminals? Do they act humanely when they snuff out innocent lives? For them even the capital punishment would not be enough. I think a society gets what it deserves. Criminals do not fear anything except the ruthless punishment. When God established the nation of Israel He saw to it that criminals were dealt with ruthlessly. I think it was for a reason. The very fact that we witness such heinous crimes being committed indicates that our punishment system is not adequate. It should instill such fear in the hearts of would-be criminals that they would think twice before committing a crime. And I don't think even capital punishment provides sufficient deterrent.

Answer 3

"You have heard it said"

That's right. What the government does is one thing. What Christians personally do is another. Although I have a lot of problems with capital punishment, there are rare times it is justified. Hey, one way or the other, we'll all stand and be judged. Some may get there a little sooner than they probably would have liked. But when you send another man to his judgment early, then maybe a little bit of redemption is needed.

Answer 4

The passages you give refer to an individual's response to an offense against his/her person. Capital punishment is a function of the state, which has the duty to protect its citizens. I, as a Christian, must forgive someone who, say, kills a family member. But the state has the responsibility to punish the murderer, as a deterrent to others.

BTW - I work with a Christian inter-denominational prison ministry. I have been inside a prison before. I've met men who are in their late teens and early 20s, who will never be free men again. I'd be willing to argue it is just as "cruel" to put people behind metal doors, concrete walls, chain-link fences, barb and razor wire, segregated from the opposite sex (and all that entails) and forced to live a regimented existence for life as it is to execute them.

Answer 5

I too agree that the New Testament does not support capital punishment. When I think about how Jesus in the Garden of Gesthemene healed the ear of the person who tried to capture him on the night before he was crucified, I simply cannot see the Son of Man (the name Jesus used for himself) believing it was acceptable to harm others.

The reason that America still supports Capital Punishment in certain states is because we are not a Christian nation. We are a group of people who demand justice, even if it means killing a criminal.

Answer 6

Because, "america" or what I believe you are referring to, The United States of America, is a secular government, not a Christian or religious based government, and don't throw at me "in god we trust" or any other superficial entities that may have shown up early in the countries history.

Answer 7

Capital Punishment is the most awful, uncivlised, appalling, stain on the United States. All other forward thinking countries have abolished it. History will look back at this time and be so appalled and so bewildered.

Answer 8

The verse in context states:
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[g] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Jesus did not teach this. It was taught in Exodus which is in the Old Testament ~ BC.

Answer 9

Don't make such broad generalizations. Capital punishment is a VERY big controversy in America (well everything is a controversy here these days... lol), and there are plenty of people including myself who oppose it.

Answer 10

I am a Christian catholic and the death penalty in my view should be in forced in every society on this globe, in today's world God would in force it with a vengeance, unfortunately we have all these bleeding hearts and Savior's out there that do more harm to society than good, no man has the right to invade the space of another human being if he dose hang him in town square, you would see violence drop drastically fast in our society if a few of these criminals were put down publicly.