Isn't supporting the death penalty hypocritical?

Question

"Thou shalt not kill"

In the words of Ghandi

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"

Answer 1

Actually, the quote is, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and we'd all be blind and toothless."

The translation of "thou shalt not kill" is better stated as "thou shalt not murder.'...which involves lying in wait, murdering unjustly, etc. There is plenty in the Laws of Moses to allow the death penalty.

However, as a Christian and as an American, i do not support the death penalty. it is unevenly applied, especially along racial lines, and too many innocent people have died because of it. It doesn't work well. Life without parole may be a greater punishment, and also allows the killer to repent.

If it were only used for cases where there is overwhelming, irrefutable proof, in murder cases, where the motive was robbery or rape or violence, the intent clear, and the accused is sane, ok. But the way it exists now, no, not right at all.

Answer 2

Not all who support the death penalty are Christian and not all Christians support the death penalty.

I like James Carroll's comment about the 10 commandments. He explained that we can see exactly what the Israelites were doing by what they were told not to do. If they weren't doing it, then there wouldn't be a commandment.

Granted there is a lot of inconsistency, and a total tradition of self criticism flowing from the Old Testament because it is essentially a story of a people who were struggling, and at war, and they desperately needed the help of God. Thus, there God was one who would defend them and one who could spill blood.

I digress. It is interesting because the spear head countering the death penalty comes mainly from religious groups. These groups very interested in preserving life.

My personal argument against the death penalty is that it punishes the wrong person. The family and friends of the felon are punished instead of the felon him or herself.

Answer 3

American Standard Version: John 8:7

"But when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

No-one calling themselves Christian can support the death penalty. It isn't the Christians that do, it's the Old Testament Fundamentalists.

Answer 4

If your a Christian and you support the death penalty then I would say yes, your cutting the cloth to suit your needs and not playing fair, It's either wrong to take a human life or it ain't. I believe one of their commandments says 'Thou shall not kill.' Not 'Thou shall not kill unless you think the person is not nice and then it's ok.'
Or 'Thou shall not kill unless you can quote a scriptual passage which circumvents this commandment.'
You can't have it both ways.

Answer 5

I don't believe in the death penalty. Who are we to decide to take someones life. I think they suffer more by having to live in prison.I think its the easy way out. Its just not right to kill period.
Also what about the Holocaust? What about them it wasn't right to kill those people. Someone thought it was OK. Again who are we to decide something like that.

Answer 6

Yes, it is hypocritical...I believe in the Life penalty..we all pay our dues eventually..

Answer 7

I say anybody who doesn't support the death penalty should adopt a death row inmate and financially support them for the rest of their lives, so I don't have to.

Everybody screams about how capital punishment is inhumane and taxpayers are required to spend $100,000 a year per inmate to keep those scumbags alive.

I don't see the sense in it, myself....

Answer 8

I do not support the death penalty.

Answer 9

Morgaine "Whoever sheds human blood, by humans his blood will be shed, because in the image of God, God made humans."
- Genesis 9:6
2 minutes ago

Then women who have their period must be killed?

Answer 10

Short answer, Yes.

Same thing as "preemptive strike"