How should we think about the death penalty?

[Michie]

The recent murder of a young Ukrainian woman on a commuter train in Charlotte is more than another tragic headline. It is a grim reminder that evil is not a theory but a terrible reality prowling our cities. When evil takes on flesh and blood, whether in a commuter train car or in the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, society has not only the right but the responsibility to restrain it with the full force of justice.

In North Carolina, the death penalty remains on the books, but for nearly two decades it has lain dormant. Legal wrangling, endless appeals, and political timidity in the legislature have rendered it ineffective. Yet the blood of innocents continues to cry out from the ground (Gen. 4:10). And the Word of God still speaks: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Gen. 9:6).

This mandate came directly after the universal flood God sent to cleanse the earth of its violence. It was His first command to human government after judging the world, showing that even before the Mosaic Law, capital punishment was universal and binding for all nations. It is not barbarism. It is divine retribution — rooted in the sacredness of human life.

Critics insist the death penalty does not deter crime. But even if one accepts their statistics — and many reputable scholars argue otherwise — the execution of a murderer remains the ultimate safeguard: he will never kill again. A society that refuses to carry out such a penalty gambles not only with future victims but with the safety and stability of the entire community.

Continued below.

How should we think about the death penalty?

Human life is so valuable, so sacred, that to take it unlawfully demands the highest price

www.christianpost.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

The recent murder of a young Ukrainian woman on a commuter train in Charlotte is more than another tragic headline. It is a grim reminder that evil is not a theory but a terrible reality prowling our cities. When evil takes on flesh and blood, whether in a commuter train car or in the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, society has not only the right but the responsibility to restrain it with the full force of justice.

In North Carolina, the death penalty remains on the books, but for nearly two decades it has lain dormant. Legal wrangling, endless appeals, and political timidity in the legislature have rendered it ineffective. Yet the blood of innocents continues to cry out from the ground (Gen. 4:10). And the Word of God still speaks: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Gen. 9:6).

This mandate came directly after the universal flood God sent to cleanse the earth of its violence. It was His first command to human government after judging the world, showing that even before the Mosaic Law, capital punishment was universal and binding for all nations. It is not barbarism. It is divine retribution — rooted in the sacredness of human life.

Critics insist the death penalty does not deter crime. But even if one accepts their statistics — and many reputable scholars argue otherwise — the execution of a murderer remains the ultimate safeguard: he will never kill again. A society that refuses to carry out such a penalty gambles not only with future victims but with the safety and stability of the entire community.

Continued below.

How should we think about the death penalty?

Human life is so valuable, so sacred, that to take it unlawfully demands the highest price

www.christianpost.com

Is society safe from this guy? Will he end up on the streets again? Will he kill in prison? Those are the questions that need answers. That is predominantly how Catholics understood things before pope Francis made such a mess. We are not seeking retribution but trying to protect society from evil.

 

[Yarddog]

The recent murder of a young Ukrainian woman on a commuter train in Charlotte is more than another tragic headline. It is a grim reminder that evil is not a theory but a terrible reality prowling our cities. When evil takes on flesh and blood, whether in a commuter train car or in the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, society has not only the right but the responsibility to restrain it with the full force of justice.

In North Carolina, the death penalty remains on the books, but for nearly two decades it has lain dormant. Legal wrangling, endless appeals, and political timidity in the legislature have rendered it ineffective. Yet the blood of innocents continues to cry out from the ground (Gen. 4:10). And the Word of God still speaks: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Gen. 9:6).

This mandate came directly after the universal flood God sent to cleanse the earth of its violence. It was His first command to human government after judging the world, showing that even before the Mosaic Law, capital punishment was universal and binding for all nations. It is not barbarism. It is divine retribution — rooted in the sacredness of human life.

Critics insist the death penalty does not deter crime. But even if one accepts their statistics — and many reputable scholars argue otherwise — the execution of a murderer remains the ultimate safeguard: he will never kill again. A society that refuses to carry out such a penalty gambles not only with future victims but with the safety and stability of the entire community.

Continued below.

How should we think about the death penalty?

Human life is so valuable, so sacred, that to take it unlawfully demands the highest price

www.christianpost.com

It's amazing how many Christians reach back into the Old Testament to try and justify their beliefs in the death penalty.

 

[RileyG]

I'm very much opposed, and believe in life in prison without parole.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I'm very much opposed, and believe in life in prison without parole.

Yet there are a few who are real and present dangers even in prison, who are a danger to other prisoners and can even direct mayhem outside of prisons from their cells. This is why an absolute prohibition of the death sentence is wrong. It should be rare but not totally forbidden.

 

[RileyG]

Yet there are a few who are real and present dangers even in prison, who are a danger to other prisoners and can even direct mayhem outside of prisons from their cells. This is why an absolute prohibition of the death sentence is wrong. It should be rare but not totally forbidden.

That makes sense. One example I can think of on top of my head is Ted Bunny. Since he escaped, and if he wasn't executed, he would have continued to kill women.

 

[bèlla]

I'm very much opposed, and believe in life in prison without parole.

Many prisons are for profit institutions. Keeping them alive only lines someone’s pocket. And the majority are incredibly dangerous. We’re more likely to devise a system like El Salvador’s or ship them to a designated place created for prisoners like we had in the past. You're going to see a shift on the subject as crimes increase. The firing squad is a nod in that direction. Only five states allow it and there wasn’t a huge outcry against its suggestion. Much like you saw with the comment on euthanasia. They’re testing the waters to gauge our response.

~bella