As a Christian, do you sopport capital punishment because it is justice, or because you want revenge?

Question

After answering the above, what if there was a mistake in the trial?

a typo, darn.

I was impessed both with the quality and the range of difference in the answers.
To choose the best is beyond my ability and I will ask the Y!A community for help on that.
Voting is requested

Answer 1

As a Christian, I oppose capital punishment. So much for your anti-Christian bigotry.

Answer 2

It is true that there are many Bible passages (especially in the OT) that support capital punishment, often for relatively mild 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 3

As a Catholic, I am not to believe in capital punishment. As a human, when I hear of terrible things done by one human being, such as a serial killer, serial rapist or child molester who has ruined many children, sometimes I wonder if it would be wrong to rid the earth of them.

However, God has a plan for all, and we do not know if some of these people will eventually come to believe in God and truly be saved, not just play lip service to get out of trouble. That is why the Catholic church does not support capital punishment, because we cannot know the heart of man. We can only pray and hope they do receive Christ as their savior, are sorry for their sins and make restitution for those sins in some fashion so they may enter heaven.

Answer 4

Not all denominations of Christianity take a stand one way or the other on capital punishment and some take a stand AGAINST capital punishment.

The Catholic & Quaker denominations come to mind.

A better way to have worded your question would have been "As a Christian do you support or oppose capital punishment and why ?"

Answer 5

Genesis 9:6
"Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man."

God says it is justified and who am I to disagree with God.

I have been on criminal and civil cases as a juror. I thoroughly agree with you, because a mistake in evidence or a lying witness can be used. I always remember this statement, "It is better to let the guilty go free, than to incarcerate the innocent."

For me, a capital punishment trial takes a load of evidence with more than 2 witnesses. If there is a "shadow of a doubt" and in most cases there is, then a mistake can easily happen.

I'll give you more than you asked for - Evil and wicked lifestyles of drinking and drugs and bars and fornication and pornography and violence and anger always end up in a court somewhere. The godless are out of control and multiplying. The Christians are "lukewarm" and if we know the Word of God, He vomits the "lukewarm Christian" out of His mouth.

Answer 6

Christians should not support the death penalty. it denies the dignity of the person. It is saying that something that God created (the criminal) has no value.

The Old Testament law of "an eye for an eye" was a law that sought to end escalating retribution - you insult my sister, I wreck your car, you torch my house, I shoot you down. it was never meant to justify capital punishment.

In the case of a serial killer, rapist or anyone else that you feel should not be on earth, you lock them up for life with no possibilty of freedom.

Answer 7

1st question: It's not for reverge, it is a JUST punishment - not only for murder, but also for the most vial sexual crimes (e.g. a rapist pedophile).

2nd question: The Bible is very clear that a crime need two or three witnesses. For a capital punishment there need to be real people that are reliable witnesses. It is wrong to lower this bar and to declare a guilty verdict for mere circumstantial evidence. The case needs to be water tight.

Answer 8

You're right. At one time, I did support capital punishment. (I am a Christian). But now, I don't and for that very reason. There are too many mistakes being made in trials. Too many innocent people being sent to prison or executed. If someone is caught in the act of killing someone or whatever the crime is that deserves execution and there is NO doubt whatsoever that they committed the crime, then yes, I still support the death penalty.

Answer 9

Revenge is justice.
Having said that, I should add that I do not support capital punishment. To me revenge can be accomplished just as well if not better by incarcerating the guilty.

Answer 10

Christians are supposed to forgive sinners just as Jesus forgives them of THEIR sins. I don't think that there are very many of them that know the pure definition of "forgiveness". Most of them love to go out on a Salem Witch Hunt whenever they feel thirsty for blood.

I wonder how many of them would pass the Golden Rule test? They typically pick and choose scriptures from the Old Testament while ignoring things Jesus told them. The Old Testament is Jewish and the New Testament is Christian. Maybe they picked the wrong religion to follow?

Answer 11

I am opposed to capital punishment, as well as abortion and euthanasia, because I believe in "the value and inviolability of human life" (Pope John Paul II).
http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0141/_INDEX.HTM