An argument against the implementation of capital punishment

Share1 Shares 1K The existence of the death penalty in any society raises one underlying question: The lister has set out to examine both sides of the debate over the ethics and legality of capital punishment, especially in the US, and chooses neither side in any of the following entries.

A Christian View and Biblical PerspectiveOctober 18, Kerby Anderson provides a biblical worldview perspective on capital punishment. He explores the biblical teaching to help us understand how to consider this controversial topic apply Christian love and biblical principles.

Should Christians support the death penalty? The answer to that question is controversial. Many Christians feel that the Bible has spoken to the issue, but others believe that the New Testament ethic of love replaces the Old Testament law.

Old Testament Examples Throughout the Old Testament we find many cases in which God commands the use of capital punishment.

We see this first with the acts of God Himself. God was involved, either directly or indirectly, in the taking of life as a punishment for the nation of Israel or for those who threatened or harmed Israel. One example is the flood of Noah in Genesis God destroyed all human and animal life except that which was on the ark.

Another example is Sodom and Gomorrah Gen. There were also punishments such as the punishment at Kadesh-Barnea Num. The Old Testament is replete with references and examples of God taking life.

The Old Testament also teaches that God instituted capital punishment in the Jewish law code. In fact, the principle of capital punishment even precedes the Old Testament law code.

According to Genesis 9: The first was murder. In Exodus 21, God commanded capital punishment for murderers. A second offense punishable by death was involvement in the occult Exod. This included sorcery, divination, acting as a medium, and sacrificing to false gods.

Third, capital punishment was to be used against perpetrators of sexual sins such as rape, incest, or homosexual practice. Within this Old Testament theocracy, capital punishment was extended beyond murder to cover various offenses. While the death penalty for these offenses was limited to this particular dispensation of revelation, notice that the principle in Genesis 9: Instead, the principle of Lex Talionis a life for a life is tied to the creation order.

Capital punishment is warranted due to the sanctity of life. Even before we turn to the New Testament, we find this universally binding principle that precedes the Old Testament law code.

New Testament Principles Some Christians believe that capital punishment does not apply to the New Testament and church age.

First we must acknowledge that God gave the principle of capital punishment even before the institution of the Old Testament law code. The principle is not rooted in the Old Testament theocracy, but rather in the creation order. It is a much broader biblical principle that carries into the New Testament.Jul 31,  · The most common and most cogent argument against capital punishment is that sooner or later, innocent people will get killed, because of mistakes or flaws in the justice system.

But discrimination in the criminal justice system is not truly an argument against capital punishment. At its best, it is an argument for its careful implementation. In fact, most of the social and philosophical arguments against capital punishment are really not arguments against it at all.

Jun 01,  · In a larger sense, capital punishment is the ultimate warning against all crimes. If the criminal knows that the justice system will not stop at putting him to death, then the system appears more draconian to him.

Jul 08,  · Essay on Capital Punishment. Taking a Look at Capital Punishment. A Non-Pacifist Argument Against Capital Punishment; Corporal Punishment; Capital Punishment; The Morality of Capital Punishment; Capital Punishment in America; Death Penalty as an Effective Method of Punishment;.

A Strong Argument Against Capital Punishment. By 4–3, the court held that “capital punishment has become incompatible with contemporary standards of decency in Connecticut and, therefore. Capital Punishment is not excessive, unnecessary punishment, for those who knowingly and intentionally commits murder in premeditation, to take lives of others.

Even though capital punishment is not used so often, it still is a threat to the criminal.