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caro_c
Guest
Life is always a gift from God. It is never ours to take. If we have secure prisons no one should be executed. Ever.
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cazayoux
Guest
Catholic and against capital punishment because we do not have the need for it.What religion are you and what are your views on this subject?
I see the taking of another’s life in the following way.
God gave me this body. I am responsible for it. If someone intends to do me the ultimate harm AND THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION, it is my RESPONSIBILITY to protect the life that God gave to me even it if results in that other person’s death. iow … self defense.
now … as a married man, I have that same RESPONSIBILITY to protect not only my life, but the life of my bride.
as a father … to protect my family.
If I am responsible for a community (or village, or city, or state, or country, or continent, or planet), i extend that same RESPONSIBILITY to cover the community.
All of these scenarios with the caveat … IF THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION.
If there is an individual that threatens the life of the community and there is no other way to protect the community, then I am justified in carrying out capital punishment.
I think it’s been a loooong time since our society hasn’t had proper jails to hold someone.
I’m against capital punishment, but strangely, completely for cruel and unusual punishment. go figure. the worse they have it while incarcerated, the more likely they repent. And THAT puts them on the road to salvation.
NOT EVEN CLOSEDo you think capital punishment is as bad as or almost as bad as abortion?
michel
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Arclight
Guest
So … if we have no crime … no one should go to an unsecure prison. Ever.Life is always a gift from God. It is never ours to take. If we have secure prisons no one should be executed. Ever.
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MrDickerson
Guest
I am Catholic and am pro-death penalty. I also think that the death penalty should be the automatic punishment for every murder, as well as drug trafficking, kidnapping, rape, and child molestation. I do not think it is a last resort either–I think it is a divine mandate that governments have a responsibility to uphold. I think that the electric chair is a cruel and unusual punishment, and that lethal injection is too clinical; I would like to see hanging, firing squad, and guillotine re-introduced as normative ways of administering capital punishment.
The modern stance of our hierarchy against capital punishment, as articulated in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church is NOT the “Catholic position”–it’s Paul VI’s and John Paul II’s personal, uninformed opinions and put into the catechism to make them “official”.
The Catholic Church has always upheld the morality of the death penalty. St. Paul wrote that the ruler “beareth not the sword in vain.” In the Noahic covenant (which was and is binding on all humanity since it is an expression of natural law) states, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” Doctors of the Church, such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, re-affirmed the morality of the death penalty. Furthermore, traditional Catholic teaching on this matter has not said the death penalty is used as a sort of “if there is no other option” if the society cannot provide enough prisons–rather, it is administered as a just punishment. Period.
I can’t recall the passage, but maybe someone could direct me to it, but in the Old Testament there is a passage about someone committing a crime (murder perhaps?) and being thrown into jail–meanwhile, the authorities asked Moses “What should we do with him?” to which Moses, directed by God, responded by telling them to bring him out of prison and let all the people stone him to death. Clearly it was not the “only option.”
A different Catholic perspective on capital punishment:
sspx.org/against_sound_bites/capital_punishment.htm
The modern stance of our hierarchy against capital punishment, as articulated in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church is NOT the “Catholic position”–it’s Paul VI’s and John Paul II’s personal, uninformed opinions and put into the catechism to make them “official”.
The Catholic Church has always upheld the morality of the death penalty. St. Paul wrote that the ruler “beareth not the sword in vain.” In the Noahic covenant (which was and is binding on all humanity since it is an expression of natural law) states, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” Doctors of the Church, such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, re-affirmed the morality of the death penalty. Furthermore, traditional Catholic teaching on this matter has not said the death penalty is used as a sort of “if there is no other option” if the society cannot provide enough prisons–rather, it is administered as a just punishment. Period.
I can’t recall the passage, but maybe someone could direct me to it, but in the Old Testament there is a passage about someone committing a crime (murder perhaps?) and being thrown into jail–meanwhile, the authorities asked Moses “What should we do with him?” to which Moses, directed by God, responded by telling them to bring him out of prison and let all the people stone him to death. Clearly it was not the “only option.”
A different Catholic perspective on capital punishment:
sspx.org/against_sound_bites/capital_punishment.htm
O
O.S.Luke
Guest
The problem with our government is that it is not a Theocracy (as in the context of Scripture), it is a Republic. That becomes problematic as to ascertain whether or not a government/state is “just.”
Our U.S. government sanctions abortion. That makes me question it’s moral authority.
Our U.S. government sanctions abortion. That makes me question it’s moral authority.
J
JoePep62
Guest
Peace to you…I beg to differ on your statement above. The Catechism IS the Catholic position on capital punishment. And the reason for that inclusion is that it follows the teachings of our Lord Jesus. The first thought that should come to mind against all “enemies” or “those that are threatening” is mercy and compassion. Love, mercy and compassion IS being Christian. To kill a sinner is to become just fall to the level of the sinner. Capital punishment will always contradict “Love your neighbor”, “Turn the other cheek”, “He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword”. The beauty of Christianity is that it professes consistency of thought and mind. Capital punishment is available to us in only those extreme cases where the sinner cannot be secured from society [which is virtuously impossible in today’s day and age].I.
The modern stance of our hierarchy against capital punishment, as articulated in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church is NOT the “Catholic position”–it’s Paul VI’s and John Paul II’s personal, uninformed opinions and put into the catechism to make them “official”.
Blessings to you for peace and compassion.
C
Contarini
Guest
Well, I trust you will understand why as a non-Catholic I am skeptical about this claim. I am going to go to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to see what the Catholic position is, not to a layperson on a forum.The modern stance of our hierarchy against capital punishment, as articulated in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church is NOT the “Catholic position”–it’s Paul VI’s and John Paul II’s personal, uninformed opinions and put into the catechism to make them “official”.
%between%
I recognize that this is somewhat different from the previous position, but from my perspective that’s not a problem. It is clearly the position now.
Edwin
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Feanor
Guest
I am opposed to Capital Punishment.
However if, say, we did not have sufficient infrastructure to confine a murderer- it may be used.
If a murderer is escaping from Prison and he is seen then he(or she) may be shot.
If the infrastructure is there and if the prisoner can be isolated then that is the desired course.
Abortion, Capital Punishment, and Euthanasia are the same class of sins in my mind but abortion and euthanasia carry more weight.
I can see the death penalty used in a non-developed country, and I can certainly see why this was done in earlier times.
However if, say, we did not have sufficient infrastructure to confine a murderer- it may be used.
If a murderer is escaping from Prison and he is seen then he(or she) may be shot.
If the infrastructure is there and if the prisoner can be isolated then that is the desired course.
Abortion, Capital Punishment, and Euthanasia are the same class of sins in my mind but abortion and euthanasia carry more weight.
I can see the death penalty used in a non-developed country, and I can certainly see why this was done in earlier times.
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
I’m against it. The State should not be able to murder people. There is too much corruption in our government and court system. Innocent people can and are given the death penalty at times.
It’s wrong to give that kind of power to the government. You could end up with a facist state.
God is the ultimate judge.
Yes we do need to incarcerate people who are violent and psychopathic, but we do not need to kill them.
It’s wrong to give that kind of power to the government. You could end up with a facist state.
God is the ultimate judge.
Yes we do need to incarcerate people who are violent and psychopathic, but we do not need to kill them.
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Arclight
Guest
What if we execute them after giving them full due process?I’m against it. The State should not be able to murder people. …
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
People who have a lot of money can get excellent lawyers and literally get away with murder, (I won’t mention any names). Poor people get incarcerated unjustly very often.What if we execute them after giving them full due process?
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Arclight
Guest
Can you give any statistics on either claim because I think you’re overstating the problem based on high profile cases like OJs I don’t have the citations handy, but if I remember correctly, the Dept of Justice statistics show that the conviction rate is something like 97% for all charges brought (meaning, jury verdict but mostly pleas).People who have a lot of money can get excellent lawyers and literally get away with murder, (I won’t mention any names). Poor people get incarcerated unjustly very often.
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
No I do not have statistics. Even if ONE person is unjustly given the death penalty - that is TOO MANY!!!Can you give any statistics on either claim because I think you’re overstating the problem based on high profile cases like OJs I don’t have the citations handy, but if I remember correctly, the Dept of Justice statistics show that the conviction rate is something like 97% for all charges brought (meaning, jury verdict but mostly pleas).
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Arclight
Guest
OK, I see your point, although I disagree.No I do not have statistics. Even if ONE person is unjustly given the death penalty - that is TOO MANY!!!
So if they all were justly given the death penalty, you’d approve of it?
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
Nope. God is the judge when it comes to life and death.OK, I see your point, although I disagree.
So if they all were justly given the death penalty, you’d approve of it?
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Arclight
Guest
OK.Nope. God is the judge when it comes to life and death.
D
DigitalAnarchy
Guest
I’m Catholic, and the quote sums it up for me.I believe in it for, Murder, rape, and child molestation.
Is it a harsh punishment? Yes, but what these people did was so bad that they are getting what they deserve. No one made them murder or rape someone. There are consequences to every action that we take, good or bad. In the case of these people, punishment was the consequence. Everyone knows doing the above mentioned things is against the law.
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
Capital punishment for rape is ridiculous. That is one area where people can really get unjustly accused. That is another area where rich people can buy themselves out of their crimes. Look at the Kennedys.I’m Catholic, and the quote sums it up for me.
Is it a harsh punishment? Yes, but what these people did was so bad that they are getting what they deserve. No one made them murder or rape someone. There are consequences to every action that we take, good or bad. In the case of these people, punishment was the consequence. Everyone knows doing the above mentioned things is against the law.
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Arclight
Guest
I’d add in major narcotics traffickers.I’m Catholic, and the quote sums it up for me.
Is it a harsh punishment? Yes, but what these people did was so bad that they are getting what they deserve. No one made them murder or rape someone. There are consequences to every action that we take, good or bad. In the case of these people, punishment was the consequence. Everyone knows doing the above mentioned things is against the law.
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
How about someone who claims he is the Son of God?I’d add in major narcotics traffickers.
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