It is clear in our society that violent crimes, such as murder, should carry some sort of stiffer punishment than that of other, lesser crimes. What is not clear is what that punishment should be. One punishment that is a constant source of debate is the death penalty. In this paper, I will examine whether the death penalty is or is not ethical. Both sides of the issue will be explained, through examination of various aspects of it, which include religious and financial considerations, whether the death penalty is a deterrent or not, and whether or not it can be regarded as justice. I submit that the death penalty is an ethical and equitable punishment for murderers, and should be used throughout our country.
The seemingly greatest amount of debate comes from a religious standpoint. Depending on whose interpretation one hears, the Bible is for or against capital punishment. Verses from The Bible are used by both sides of the argument to support their own beliefs. The United States is made up of numerous different religious cultures. A sample of a few official policies from some denominations' web sites shows an almost fifty-fifty split for and against. For example, the Assemblies of God (USA) do not take a stance for or against the death penalty. The same is true for the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints, who say that it should be left to "the prescribed processes of civil law."(November 28, 2011). The Catholic catechism posted on their web site shows support only if non-lethal methods will not serve to preserve human life. In other words, if there is absolutely no way to stop a person from killing another person, then execution is acceptable. The Southern Baptist Convention states in its Resolution on Capital Punishment (June, 2002), that there must be clear and overwhelming evidence in order for the death sentence to be imposed for murder, or treason which causes death.
It stands for the total abolition of the death penalty but allows states parties to retain the death penalty in time of war. ... Some states have already abolished the death penalty. ... Some people think the death penalty is fair. ... The death penalty is a global issue. ... The death penalty isn't a way to prevent crime. ...
The percentage of victims to the death penalty according to race are mostly white at 76%. Even though the percentage of victims charged with the death penalty are mostly white, it is said that jurors in Washington state are 3 times more likely to recommend a death penalty sentence to a black defendant than for a white defendant in a similar case (Beckett). In Louisiana, the odds of a death penalty sentence were 97% higher for those whose victims were white than those whose victims were black (Pierce & Radelet). ... This information shows that there have been many wrongly accused victims of the...
-Contact Death Penalty Focus. ... -Start a Death Penalty Focus chapter at your school. ... -Attend national conferences on death penalty organizing. ... -Invite victims' groups to share their stories. ... Death Penalty Focus can help you find many excellent speakers. ...
(Religious Organizing Against the Death Penalty Website) The main argument that advocates for the death penalty have is that the death penalty deters crime, that the threat of execution is enough to make criminals think twice about committing a capital crime. ... Also, states that do not have a death penalty experience lower number of murders each year than that of the states who do. ... (Death Penalty Information Center Website) People justify the death penalty in saying that in the Bible God says that murder should be punished with death. ... ("The Death Penalty: Cruelty or Neces...
It will end up taking the lives of innocent victims as long as there is fault in the justice system. The death penalty contradicts the whole idea of human rights. ... Supporters of the death penalty believe that the death penalty helps keep the crime and murder rate down, but that is not so. States with death penalty laws do not have lower crime or rates than states that with death penalty laws. ... If the death penalty is not "cruel and unusual punishment" then what is? ...
With a death penalty attached to the murder, the rapist might think twice about killing the victim. ... The death penalty protects society because if the murderers are executed, they are no longer on the streets (The Death Penalty). ... Why the society defends the death penalty. ... Arguments of those who oppose the death penalty. ... Concluding thoughts of reinstating the death penalty....
The death penalty is often used to kill people who have committed murder. ... The death penalty is not a surefire way to punish criminals. ... Jury members may avoid the death penalty for this very reason. ... According to the Capital Defense Litigation Group, African American defendants are more likely to be sentenced to death if the victim is white and are often found guilty by all white juries (Ruggiero). ... If the death penalty does not deter crime, why should there have a death penalty? ...
The Death Penalty I. ... "The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. ... The death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment. ... Another strong supporting argument for the death penalty is that it provides justice for the victims of the crime. ... The death penalty is final, irrevocable. ...
The Death Penalty: Right or Wrong? ... This was pretty much the death penalty in the olden days. ... And in 1972 the death penalty was finally illegal. ... Does death penalty deter crime? ... Anything less then the death penalty is an insult to the victim and society. ...
