Death Penalty

I suspect even if you didn't watch the GOP debates two nights ago, most people have heard some of the snippets and comments from it.

Several voices in the media have been commenting on Gov. Perry's discussion of the death penalty in Texas ... and more to the point, the audience's response to it.

I don't understand how any Christian can be in favor of the death penalty. That said, I do understand there are some arguments in favor of it. But still, even if you think that the death penalty should be used in severe cases, I would hope any Christian would see it as a tragic thing. The fact that over 200 people in his state have been executed under his governing is tragic.

One of the few arguments in favor of the death penalty I've heard is that it's a deterrent. Clearly, that is not the case, if over 200 people in such a short time committed crimes deserving death. If anything, I would have to say that's evidence that it works in the opposite way: it makes Texas a more violent place, inciting crime.

And even putting all that aside. How could any HUMAN, let a lone a Christian, CHEER at the death of any other human? And yet that audience was filled with people who did just that. Granted, I have not seen a clip that pans to the audience to show how many people were cheering -- it probably wasn't everyone, and maybe even less than half. But if ONE person rejoices at the death of another human, it says something. And that applause was way more than one person.

It sickens me that people are like that. And it sickens me that so many Christians cling to the party that cheers death. As Christians, should we not be denouncing such behavior?

I have never liked the "death penalty" law. I think it is doing as much crime as what a criminal, thief or murderer would do. They kill someone else as well. Why should they be any better themselves? I think it is very sad. And any human should have the chance to repent, be forgiven and get changed as well as receiving Salvation from God.

Death is really misunderstood. He's not that bad once you get to know him. I don't like how humans get to have judgement. If anyone should have judgement, it should be me, Nawo.

We should let Spongebob decide! LOL
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Q8Vhk5Qjc[/video]

I do not think the death penalty should be used unless they are 1000000% sure the person actually committed the crimes.

I am in favor of the death penalty, Texas has it right on this one.

'THOU SHALT NOT KILL!"

Greetings,

I support the death penalty. Why? Because it helps restrain the expression of evil that's committed due to rebellion promulgated by fallen humanity. Man should not take it upon himself to exact retribution personally, but this is a just punishment that is inflicted upon the guilty by the state which is awarded this jurisdiction. We must understand that man is not basically good, but basically evil. Capital punishment is a reality, and people are aware of this when they commit crimes but they still proceed accordingly committing crimes still. This is willful rebellion and disregard, not just for the laws of the land but for their victim(s). God has executed punishments including the taking of life (cf. Old Testament conquests) and so shall the state as a punishment for evil because God has ordained Government.

First of all, DiscipleWilliam, thank you for your response.

How does it do that? It does not deter crime, as you mention later. People continue to sin, even with the death penalty in place. It does not restrain the expression of evil that's committed on the part of the criminal who receives it. And it INCREASES the expression of evil committed by the State.

Also, even though you're in favor of the death penalty, would you whoop and cheer when you hear that over 200 people were executed for crimes they committed? Do you really think it's a good thing to kill someone?

If so, can you explain why you feel that way? Why is death a good thing? If it's such a good thing, why is murder considered so heinous? After all, maybe the criminal was just meeting out retribution against the victim for some crime?

And we haven't even touched on the fact that sometimes innocent people are put to death. That is NEVER justified.

But do you think the death of murderers is something to cheer about? That is the real point of my question. Even if you're in favor of the death penalty, why would you whoop and holler about someone's death, no matter how justified you thought it was?

How is that Christian?

You think it's right to cheer and applaud at the death of over 200 people, even if they were guilty of some crime?

Picture if you will the sins that you commit. Then picture the physical immediate death sentence you would receive if caught. I guarantee you will think twice about committing them.

Here's the thing. Good is defined in regards to what is just, and what God ordains is just. God ordained the act of capital punishment to be enforced by the state so therefore it is good.


There is a difference between killing and murder. For example, in our secular society there is a difference between manslaughter and murder.

1)Kill= To cause death, to put an end to something. {Ballentine's Law 3rd Edition}

2)Murder= The unlawful killing of a human being by another with malice aforethought, either express or implied. {Black's Law Dictionary 5th Edition}

I would agree that the legal system isn't perfect, and there have been many put to death wrongfully, however, this isn't a valid reason to expunge capital punishment altogether; this is what's called a secundum quid or a hasty generalization.

Jesus was murdered because those that killed Him thought they were doing God's will. Stephen a man of faith and good works was murdered because:

KJV Acts 7:59-60 "And they stoned Ste'phen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, recieve my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

Well it's a tough nut to crack but if you allow the criminal who just killed your kid or someone elses to do 20 years to life as the case may be even after 7 years in an institution with murders, rapists, pedophiles, thieves as their only source of contact other than guards men and women are so socially damaged that they often return to crime when they get out anyway.(think of it as conditioning) Lets not even consider the cost of keeping all those lifer's behind bars with guards and prisons having to be maintained at the publics expense. More than likely the men who were executed have been on death row for a while and if they haven't and they have just come from court as it were they were convicted with 2 credible eye witness testimonies. In Texas thats not death row thats 1 way to the execution chamber. Executions should be public as they were in the old days the message would be very loud and clear as to what is acceptable and what is not.
Eye for an eye tooth for a tooth. liberal sentimentalism is exactly why our prisons are filled to the max and the need for more. To forgive is divine but try it when it hits close to home some time (not so easy)
Any sentence over 7 years in a federal institution will change a person so dramatically as to make them almost non functional when they are released. Cattle even get treated better than this.
You don't lock a cow in a stonchon in a barn for 7 years or more why do it to a human being?
No one wants to implement the death penalty the unfortunate thing is, is it's the only form of deterrent a murderer himself respects, if at all?
Lets not confuse the issue with the manslaughter thing because this could happen to anyone at anytime in a variety of ways. I'm talking 1st degree murder as in the guy planned to kill his wife for the insurance money!
As in she poisoned her husband slowly over a course of time to get the insurance money!
We already tried the super prison Idea That didn't work and the liberalist life time in prison thing and it costs how much!!!!!
In Texas as well they have the Illegal alien thing and that has to put some serious stress on an economy already tanking!

Muskokaman - I agree that life imprisonment is no picnic, and I think there are a lot of problems with our current "justice" system. We could debate at length about the death penalty, but the real concern I have for this thread is the people who applauded the death penalty. That is what concerns me.

As for corrections to the correctional institution, here are a few things I offer:

-Non-violent crimes should not be punished with prison time. As you pointed out, prisoners learn how to commit crimes while there in prison. Why take a relatively non-violent person and subject them to violence? You just make them worse when they get out. Non-violent crimes should be punished with fines for reparation and/or community service.

-Victimless crimes should not be pursued.

These two items will reduce prison population significantly. In addition, the financial reparations can help offset the cost of the penal system, easing the burden on taxpayers, and allowing for alternative methods, as follows:

The causes need to be addressed, not just the symptoms. Why are these people committing the crimes they are? Most of the people who commit crimes have mental instabilities. Some of these mental diseases can be cured through a combination of medication and intense therapy. Some cannot. For those who can be cured, efforts should be made to do so. For those who cannot be cured, life imprisonment, not as punitive against the criminal, but protective for the rest of society.

I believe an attempt should be made to reform every prisoner. If these attempts work, the reformed criminal should be released into society, along with a duty to repay some portion of his or her reformation. If the criminal cannot (or will not) be reformed, slave labor while he or she is in prison to pay for his or her own upkeep.

But still, keeping the non-violent criminals out of prison will go a long way in correcting a lot of the problems.

As for the death penalty, I would still be against it, even if someone killed my son or my husband. How would that person's death bring back the one I love?

You guarantee? How do you guarantee? I want my money back, because the fact that over 200 people have been executed in Texas in the last what, 2 years (?) proves that it is NOT a deterrent.

In fact, the wages of sin are death, and yet each and every one of us continues to sin. So much for your theory.

In fact, those who commit crimes punishable with death almost always fall into one of two categories: Either they do not believe that what they are doing is wrong, or they do recognize it, and they don't care. Having the death penalty will not stop someone if he or she doesn't believe what he's doing is wrong. It may serve as a deterrent for the second, but they are few and far between.

Can you quote your biblical support for this?

You honestly think one innocent man's death is worth it? I would not call that a hasty generalization at all.

A lot of things come out in the open. They truly do.

No Christian should be in favor of the death penalty. If anyone thinks they are fine, let Jesus show you your own evil heart, then we can say who is worthy of death. That is you also.

Trade for a time their place in that chair with your confidence in your righteousness, and we will see, will you not cry out for mercy!! The Lord said, I WILL HAVE MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE!

Any Christian that is in favor of the death penalty should consider himself, who also will stand before a holy and righteous judge to determine what ever man deserves.

May Jesus bless you.

It's your soul you should be concerned about not the loss of your flesh.
Before you tell me of the Evil in my heart check out Leviticous or Deuteronomy the Lord himself gave Moses the Law and The Law is what Governs the Land!
If we do not then we allow the land to fill with cutthroats and murderers.
Moses himself practiced capital punishment and you tell me I am no Christian.
They are in the chair for committing murder not robbing a bank
If I kill someone premeditated 1st degree I would expect nothing less
I don't claim righteousness nor confidence in it
If you spill the blood of man so shall your blood be spilt