Do you find the death penalty to be ethical? What is your view on it?

Blaise N

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Just thought I'd get a Christian perspective on the issue, I can always use more viewpoints on the matter.

I'll start with my view but don't let this affect your answer: I think we should do away with the death penalty because I believe given enough time everyone has the opportunity to repent and change from the wrong they've committed. Though I know this may be difficult because those being considered for the penalty have already done some serious stuff and it may be difficult to think of God or the state eventually pardoning or forgiving them.
Yes I find the death penalty legal.EXCEPT for one instance,if a person,male of female,commits the worst crimes against humanity,such as cannibalism,mass murder,sex trafficking,child molestation,enslavement,terrorism,etc.and they are sentenced to death,if they show true heartbroken remorse for their actions,and repent and ask for Jesus’ forgiveness,they ought to be shown leniency.However if a person shows no remorse at all,and laughs and brags of their crimes they ought to be executed.
 
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nhisname

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What bothers me about the death penalty is that innocent people have been executed. Life in prison at least allows the possibility of freeing someone who was unjustly convicted, even though there is no way to undo what was done to them.
 
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SeventhFisherofMen

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Yes I find the death penalty legal.EXCEPT for one instance,if a person,male of female,commits the worst crimes against humanity,such as cannibalism,mass murder,sex trafficking,child molestation,enslavement,terrorism,etc.and they are sentenced to death,if they show true heartbroken remorse for their actions,they ought to be shown leniency.However if a person shows no remorse at all,and laughs and brags of their crimes they ought to be executed.
I agree
 
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Yes I find the death penalty legal.EXCEPT for one instance,if a person,male of female,commits the worst crimes against humanity,such as cannibalism,mass murder,sex trafficking,child molestation,enslavement,terrorism,etc.and they are sentenced to death,if they show true heartbroken remorse for their actions,and repent and ask for Jesus’ forgiveness,they ought to be shown leniency.However if a person shows no remorse at all,and laughs and brags of their crimes they ought to be executed.
But cannibalism is only illegal in one US state, that being Idaho. In other states a cannibal would be charged with discretion of a corpse. https://www.aallnet.org/lhrbsis/wp-...019/03/LHRBSIS-Unbound-Volume-11-Number-1.pdf
 
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Blaise N

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Well you’re looking at on an earthly level.On a spiritual level cannibalism is the most heinous and horrendous atrocity next to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Cannibalism is referenced very negatively in Scripture. Exekiel 5:10 comes to mind. But Scripture gives no explicit command against cannibalism. I'm seeing nothing that would place it next to blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.
 
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Blaise N

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Cannibalism is referenced very negatively in Scripture. Exekiel 5:10 comes to mind. But Scripture gives no explicit command against cannibalism. I'm seeing nothing that would place it next to blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.
My brother,there’s terrible evils that exist in this world.Terrible.

Cannibalism,though not specifically exactly explained in the word.Is still a terrible horrible revolting evil.For a human to consume the flesh of another human they have to be in a state so low and sinful and depraved that they resort to that.Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the capital sin of all sins.It’s the death sentence of sins.A sin so absolutely insulting and hurtful to the Lord that he cannot forgive it because there is no pardon/sacrifice for It.cannibalism is the worst of all evil.ESPECIALLY-Murder cannibalism.In my opinion,Cannibalism ousts murder,rape,terrorism,molestation,and all other horrible earthly crimes.It’s the top of all atrocities.In the ranks of the heavenly chart of sins,cannibalism IMO would rank #2.
 
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My brother,there’s terrible evils that exist in this world.Terrible.

Cannibalism,though not specifically exactly explained in the word.Is still a terrible horrible revolting evil.For a human to consume the flesh of another human they have to be in a state so low and sinful and depraved that they resort to that.Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the capital sin of all sins.It’s the death sentence of sins.A sin so absolutely insulting and hurtful to the Lord that he cannot forgive it because there is no pardon/sacrifice for It.cannibalism is the worst of all evil.ESPECIALLY-Murder cannibalism.In my opinion,Cannibalism ousts murder,rape,terrorism,molestation,and all other horrible earthly crimes.It’s the top of all atrocities.In the ranks of the heavenly chart of sins,cannibalism IMO would rank #2.
And you are entitled to your opinion...
 
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com7fy8

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it may be difficult to think of God or the state eventually pardoning or forgiving them.
Well, we just had that guy who shot Ronald Reagan let out of prison. In past times or other places he could have been killed for that. But now in the U.S. there are people in power who can let out ones who could have been executed during other cultural times and places.

Some say not to execute someone because new evidence could prove someone's innocence. Well, also, now we see how attitudes and people in power can change things :)

But should a truly guilty person worthy of the death penalty be executed?

I would say it is God's choice, in His control of each case.

And if you don't want the death penalty, don't do a capital offense, and do what is good to help others to avoid it. This includes helping others not to do crimes, and be a good example of honesty and kindness.

And there are ones who might feel they deserve to be dead because of how they live and they might decide to do everyone a favor by executing themselves. I was going to do this, but I would say God showed me how His love gets better results . . . executing that old selfish self, and changing someone into a caring person. So, thank You, God :)
 
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SeventhFisherofMen

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Well, we just had that guy who shot Ronald Reagan let out of prison. In past times or other places he could have been killed for that. But now in the U.S. there are people in power who can let out ones who could have been executed during other cultural times and places.

Some say not to execute someone because new evidence could prove someone's innocence. Well, also, now we see how attitudes and people in power can change things :)

But should a truly guilty person worthy of the death penalty be executed?

I would say it is God's choice, in His control of each case.

And if you don't want the death penalty, don't do a capital offense, and do what is good to help others to avoid it. This includes helping others not to do crimes, and be a good example of honesty and kindness.

And there are ones who might feel they deserve to be dead because of how they live and they might decide to do everyone a favor by executing themselves. I was going to do this, but I would say God showed me how His love gets better results . . . executing that old selfish self, and changing someone into a caring person. So, thank You, God :)
Thank you for your post that was very kind of you to say. I agree with you, being a good example and stopping the crime before there is a crime that needs to be stopped by just being a good example of how to live sounds good to me :)
 
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Greg Cheney

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Just thought I'd get a Christian perspective on the issue, I can always use more viewpoints on the matter.

I'll start with my view but don't let this affect your answer: I think we should do away with the death penalty because I believe given enough time everyone has the opportunity to repent and change from the wrong they've committed. Though I know this may be difficult because those being considered for the penalty have already done some serious stuff and it may be difficult to think of God or the state eventually pardoning or forgiving them.


I am not against the death penalty in principle, but I am against the death penalty being in the hands of the evil State.
 
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SeventhFisherofMen

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I am not against the death penalty in principle, but I am against the death penalty being in the hands of the evil State.
Fair enough
 
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Anthony2019

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However hideous the crime, the desire for retribution and violence is totally incompatible with Christian living.

As Christians we are to resist evil in all its forms and to show charity even to those least deserving of it.
 
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dogs4thewin

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I do not support it, BUT it has nothing to do with Christian ethics or very little. Instead I do not support it for the following reasons.

The first and probably biggest one is death is final ( this is not with respect to people having enough time it is in respect to the fact that you can release someone from prison, but you cannot bring them back.

Another reason is that because it is final there are MANY appeals which can cost millions of dollars ( whereas life without parole does not have that many appeals. Also, under the law in order for the death penalty to even be imposed there have to be two trials. Since there is no crime that can carry a mandatory death sentence if the DA wants to get the death penalty one trial is held to find them guilty and then there is another mini trial where the jury decides the sentence ( which can also take time and money .) On the other hand, in most states once a person is convicted it is the judge who decides the sentence from the range of legal sentences.

Another reason actually have to do with the victim's family in that really because of those same appeals that are designed to make certain that they have the right person there is really no closure for the victim's family as oftentimes with each appeal they are notified and may or may not go to court to relive it.

Yet, another reason actually have to do with while they are incarcerated in that because there is not really anything else they can take away from them in terms of privileges like time with other inmates, hobby shop, a job contact visits ECT many of them take the position that what you going to do to me if I assault you today you cannot kill me but one time and you cannot legally take my appeals to make it quicker, so what you going to do I have literally nothing to lose. Whereas, if a person is doing life without parole if they behave they often can earn privileges like time with other inmates socializing, classes sometimes contact visits ect. This can be removed if they show that they cannot handle it.

Now, I DO believe in the right to lethal self defense if someone is trying to kill or seriously injure yourself or someone else like rape, robbery or kidnapping, BUT once a person is no longer such a threat and certainly once someone has been taken into custody I no longer support the death penalty as a sentence for the reasons listed above.
 
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