Capital Punishment????

[inked_n_pink]

Well, I am not what you would consider a "Christian", but just for the sake of responding, I am firmly against capital punishment.

 

[an7222]

I'm against capital punishment, but I favor slave labor for all the serial killers that do not repent. They must be arrested and work hard to pay the price the society is paying to maintain them alive.

 

[larryicr]

There is a great difference between "personal" forgiveness and turning the other cheek and the "governments" responsibility to protect it's society. That's why Paul said the government bears the sword (NT quote, Rom 13:4).

As to the notion of Jesus continuting to teach instead of dying for out sins - God forbid! He came to die for us, what a terrible thing it would be if we had no atonement for our sins.

 

[mrnnfaber]

i want to know how u guys feel about capital punishment( The death penalty).... many christians are going to have completely different perspectives than I do... i m just curious as to whether or not they BELIEVE in capital punishment for criminals...and if so why or why not?..

I am a Christian (Catholic) and I think death penalty is WRONG - for two main reasons:
1) If the person on death row is innocent (it happens) - it is clearly wrong, no explanation is required
2) If the person has really commited the crime s/he is accused with, the person is deprived of the chance to have enough time to reach repentance and salvation. I would make them do community service - either life-time or until repentance.

Jesus gave us the law of love and mercy - and in our merciless society this is very crucial point to remember. Many of those who end up "deserving" capital punishment are actually more victims than offenders. To project this to a general level we may also notice that whenever someone is accused with anything, we are so eager to agree with the accuser, even though we are aware of the huge holes in our legal system.

This is what Jesus taught:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (Mat 25:36)

If we cannot do anything more, at least we may cherish mercy for them in our heart and leave the life-death judgement to God.

 

[HeatherJay]

I'm against the death penalty. I can't find a way to rationalize or justify it.

 

[bmw22]

I think the true Christian response to the question would be in opposition of capital punishment.

There is a great difference between "personal" forgiveness and turning the other cheek and the "governments" responsibility to protect it's society. That's why Paul said the government bears the sword (NT quote, Rom 13:4).

Now, from the same chapter, Pauls says, "The authorities that exist have been established by God." To me this is an unbelievable contradiction - Jesus led not only a religious but also a cultural rebellion against Jewish and Roman authority. Sure, Jesus said, pay your taxes, but don't put God's Law above the law of man. Many early Christians were persecuted for refusing to diefy Caesar, and were killed according to the law. I don't see how any Christian would find this acceptable.

I think that if you believe that someone deserves capital punishment, then you should be willing to inject that person with the poison to end their life. From a societal point of view it doesn't really matter whether that person is killed or rots away in prison; even which one costs more depends on the situation.

As to the notion of Jesus continuting to teach instead of dying for out sins - God forbid! He came to die for us, what a terrible thing it would be if we had no atonement for our sins.

Yes - thank God Jesus was tortured and crucified, otherwise I couldn't go on sinning without retribution! What a selfish notion...

 

[Carmenita]

I am a Christian (Catholic) and I think death penalty is WRONG - for two main reasons:
1) If the person on death row is innocent (it happens) - it is clearly wrong, no explanation is required
2) If the person has really commited the crime s/he is accused with, the person is deprived of the chance to have enough time to reach repentance and salvation. I would make them do community service - either life-time or until repentance.

Jesus gave us the law of love and mercy - and in our merciless society this is very crucial point to remember. Many of those who end up "deserving" capital punishment are actually more victims than offenders. To project this to a general level we may also notice that whenever someone is accused with anything, we are so eager to agree with the accuser, even though we are aware of the huge holes in our legal system.

This is what Jesus taught:
If we cannot do anything more, at least we may cherish mercy for them in our heart and leave the life-death judgement to God.

Thats exactly how I feel about Capital Punishment

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ "John 1:19

"For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 4:25

 

[mrnnfaber]

Thats exactly how I feel about Capital Punishment

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ "John 1:19

"For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 4:25

Carmenita,
Thanks for your reply - and also for starting this thread!
I have just read your standpoint on this - WOW!
I believe that every word that is carrying Jesus' true message - in their true meaning of love and mercy - can save lives in a literal sense and adds to our chance for a life - as imagined by God.
I am sure we will talk again soon.
anne

 

[OrthodoxServant86]

As an Orthodox Christian, I am completely opposed to the death penalty; as a person studying history, politics and philosophy (when I have some spare time ) I am even more opposed to both it and the concept of any form of killing as justifiable (yes, this includes excessive/violent killing of animals as is ordered by the corporations of most capitalist economies).

Historically, it has not in the slightest achieved its goal; the deterrence of criminal activity. On top of this, there are far too many instances of the use of capital punishment -under the guise of being used for the well-being of the state, mind you- by corrupt, illogical or erred courts. History is littered with examples, some worthy of mention being the code of Hammurabi (eye for and eye, the consequent pursuit of vendettas between the families of the executor and executed), the condemnation of Socrates, the persecutions of various groups such as Jews and Christians, the "hunting" of witches/heretics, various modern instances of courts either biased or erred in their decisions.

What I do believe in, however, is the necessity of modern states to rethink their criminal rehabilitation systems so as to encourage repentance, redemptive work towards society and to discourage explicit and intentional violation of criminal laws. I will not go into details regarding my theories on this matter, as I fear I would be... somewhat unpopular.

Anyhow, where was I; rants can get so disjointed lol. Oh, well, I guess that about sums it up.

In peace,

-Justin

 

[coyoteBR]

Christian Spiritist here, and I am completelly against the Capital Punishment.

God never gave men the right to take another life, and that goes in all ways. I don't want to be a killer using the State as intermediary, as the blood on my hands would be the same.

Plus, it's all about trust on God. If a murderer is still alive, it's because God Allows it. It's because he needs to be on Earth, on prision, to think about his deeds, and to do something. Who says the person that is killed today could not be, next week, the one that stops a rebellion, thus saves lives of inmates and policemen?

As I see it, we must treat criminals with justice - not revenge, despite what Hollywood shows.

There's nothing usefull on wasting public money to send a fellow human being to die.

 

[wackyjo]

I dont really know if I think that capital punishment is morally wrong.
i suppose depends on the way u look on things, if u kill the person then thats killing life, and the "Eye for an Eye" rule ended with Jesus' death -- so I heard!!
but the other side of the coin says that they got what they deserved!
I suppose if more countries introduced capital punishment then it wouldn't make much difference only that there'd be less people -- if u see where i'm coming from!!!
I ain't sure what the christian views are,,,but we want a "moral good" universally!