About capital punishment

[arunangelo]

Capital punishment is a punishment, in which human beings are condemned to die. The usual crime, for which this punishment is given, is murder. This form of punishment is usually chosen to deter others from committing this crime and to make criminals pay back for the crime they committed by their own life. Because this form of punishment involves killing human beings, in imposing this punishment the society performs the same violent act it is trying to deter. In addition, it teaches the society that violent methods are sometimes acceptable. This increases violence in the society. Furthermore, since God is the author of all life, no one has the right or authority to kill another human being.
The purpose for punishment is to help others to change for the better and never for condemnation or revenge. When we impose life-taking punishment, it is condemnation; and it does not give the convict a chance to change. It teaches the society that some people are beyond hope. Since all of us have had hate (for another human being) in our heart at one time or the other, and hate for another human being is similar to murder (1John3: 14-18), we ourselves are guilty of a crime similar to murder. How then can we condemn another human being? In the old days, when it was not possible to imprison violent criminals, capital punishment was accepted as a form of self-defense for the society. However, nowadays, when it is possible to safely isolate violent criminals from the society, there is absolutely no justification for capital punishment.

 

[Steven_Merten]

arunangelo:

Furthermore, since God is the author of all life, no one has the right or authority to kill another human being.

Hello arunangelo,

God is the author of all life and God has commanded man with the authority and responsibility to put to death murders.

Please visit Throwing Stones which studies Jesus will on when to kill.

**NAB GENESIS 9:6 **

"If anyone sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; For in the image of God has man been made." Peace in Christ,

Steven Merten
www.ILOVEYOUGOD.com

 

[SWTHRT]

I agree with your views. I am totally against the death penalty. I think we do have the right and responsibility to punish people that have committed horrible crimes including murder. However, only God has the right to take someone’s life.

Karen

 

[The_Black_Knight]

arunangelo:

In addition, it teaches the society that violent methods are sometimes acceptable.

We ought to be doing more of that.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

arunangelo:

Furthermore, since God is the author of all life, no one has the right or authority to kill another human being.

Actually, Romans 13:1ff says that secular authority has been given the power of the sword by God and does not wield that sword in vain.

This is why the Church teaches that there are legitimate circumstances in which the state may impose the death penalty.

 

[Steven_Merten]

Andreas Hofer:

Actually, Romans 13:1ff says that secular authority has been given the power of the sword by God and does not wield that sword in vain.

This is why the Church teaches that there are legitimate circumstances in which the state may impose the death penalty.

Hello Andreas,

I believe that Pope’s burning thousands of heretics at the stake has more to do with the Church not professing all capital punishment as wrong, than scripture commanding capital punishment.

Peace in Christ.
Steven Merten
www.ILOVEYOUGOD.com

 

[preyoflove]

arunangelo:

… In the old days, when it was not possible to imprison violent criminals, capital punishment was accepted as a form of self-defense for the society. However, nowadays, when it is possible to safely isolate violent criminals from the society, there is absolutely no justification for capital punishment.

Honestly, I find it difficult to imagine a situation in the “days of old” where they could not imprison violent criminals like we do now? I’m thinking about individual criminals, of course, but do you somehow refer to bands of criminals like a small army of plunderers and pillagers, a ship of pirates, etc.? I imagine a leader of a band or army of criminals caught by the authorities. Because this thug has buddies armed enough to storm into the prison and free him, society is justified in executing him. Is this the kind of case you were referring to? Why couldn’t they just get more reinforcements to deter or fight off his buddies instead of executing the guy?

 

[geezerbob]

Death penalty opponents are failing to take into consideration that a life sentence can, and all too frequently is, be overturned on a technicality ten years later by an activist judge which puts this lovely person right back in our midst. Our prisons themselves may be pretty secure, but how do we deal with these judges short of executing the offending party? It’s not as cut and dried as some of you are claiming.

 

[Brendan]

arunangelo:

. Furthermore, since God is the author of all life, no one has the right or authority to kill another human being.

The Holy Spirit, throught the infallible Council of Trent, says otherwise

Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent. The just use of this power, far from involving the crime of murder, is an act of paramount obedience to this Commandment which prohibits murder. The end of the Commandment? is the preservation and security of human life. Now the punishments inflicted by the civil authority, which is the legitimate avenger of crime, naturally tend to this end, since they give security to life by repressing outrage and violence. Hence these words of David: In the morning I put to death all the wicked of the land, that I might cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the Lord.

 The purpose for punishment is to help others to change for the better and never for condemnation or revenge.

How do you explain Hell then? Is the purpose of Hell to make the souls ‘change for the better’? It seems God created the Punishment of Hell specifically FOR condemnation.