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'''Capital punishment''', also known as the '''death penalty''', refers to the custom of executing prisoners who are convicted of certain heinous crimes. Such crimes are known as capital [[crime]]s, and tend to be grave crimes against persons or governments (such as [[premeditation|premeditated]] [[murder]], [[rape]] or [[treason]]). For many years, [[English law]] imposed capital punishment for the crime of [[polygamy]].
'''Capital punishment''', also known as the '''death penalty''', refers to the custom of executing prisoners who are convicted of certain heinous crimes. Such crimes are known as capital [[crime]]s, and tend to be grave crimes against persons or governments (such as [[premeditation|premeditated]] [[murder]], [[rape]] or [[treason]]). For many years, [[English law]] imposed capital punishment for the crime of [[polygamy]]. The basis for capital punishment comes from the [[Bible]], particularly passages such as Genesis 9:5–6,<ref>Multiple references:
*Fuller, Russell (December 28, 2014). [https://answersingenesis.org/sanctity-of-life/capital-punishment-today/ Is Capital Punishment for Today?] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
*Looy, Mark (July 27, 2001). [https://answersingenesis.org/culture/the-death-penalty-wdjb-not-wwjd/ The Death Penalty–WDJB, Not WWJD!] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
*[https://www.gotquestions.org/death-penalty.html What does the Bible say about the death penalty / capital punishment?] ''GotQuestions''. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
*[https://www.gotquestions.org/capital-punishment-murder.html Why did God mandate capital punishment for murder (Genesis 9:6)?] ''GotQuestions''. Retrieved October 15, 2019.</ref> though critics of biblical Christianity falsely accuse Christians of hypocrisy for holding to the biblical position.<ref>[https://www.gotquestions.org/pro-life-war-death.html Why are Christians pro-life when it comes to abortion while at the same time in favor of the death penalty and supportive of war?] ''GotQuestions''. Retrieved October 15, 2019.</ref>
There are several compelling justifications for the death penalty today. It promotes conversion and confession by the criminal. It can bring closure and relief to the families of victims of terrible crimes. It can deter wrongdoing. It can be a helpful negotiating tool for prosecutors to obtain a prompt confession and life sentence rather than force victims' families to endure delays in justice, and a disturbing trial. The death penalty also helps ensure that the criminal does not repeat his crime in prison, or escape and harm the public further.
There are several compelling justifications for the death penalty today. It promotes conversion and confession by the criminal. It can bring closure and relief to the families of victims of terrible crimes. It can deter wrongdoing. It can be a helpful negotiating tool for prosecutors to obtain a prompt confession and life sentence rather than force victims' families to endure delays in justice, and a disturbing trial. The death penalty also helps ensure that the criminal does not repeat his crime in prison, or escape and harm the public further.
====Conservative Christianity====
====Conservative Christianity====
Generally, conservative churches which are politically active support the death penalty as a means of justice, based on Genesis 9:5–6 and other verses.
Generally, conservative churches that are politically active support the death penalty as a means of justice, based on Genesis 9:5–6 and other verses.
====Unification Church====
====Unification Church====
[[File:Susan Jacoby.JPG|thumbnail|right|200px|Susan Jacoby]]
[[File:Susan Jacoby.JPG|thumbnail|right|200px|Susan Jacoby]]
The [[Atheism|atheist]] author Susan Jacoby wrote in her article ''[[Atheism and the death penalty]]'':
The [[Atheism|atheist]] author Susan Jacoby wrote in her article ''[[Atheism and the death penalty]]'':
{{Cquote|..Justice [[Antonin Scalia]]’s religious justification for the death penalty, which amounts to: God has the power of life and death and lawful governments derive their power from God; ergo, capital punishment is both morally and legally permissible. It is clear, however, that neither atheism nor religion per se is a predictable, decisive factor in public or individual attitudes toward capital punishment. However people choose to rationalize their position, capital puniishment is an emotional issue.
{{Cquote|..Justice [[Antonin Scalia]]’s religious justification for the death penalty, which amounts to: God has the power of life and death and lawful governments derive their power from God; ergo, capital punishment is both morally and legally permissible. It is clear, however, that neither atheism nor religion per se is a predictable, decisive factor in public or individual attitudes toward capital punishment. However people choose to rationalize their position, capital punishment is an emotional issue.
Scalia was half-right in his contention that “the more Christian a country is the less likely it is to regard the death penalty as immoral. Abolition [of capital punishment] has taken its firmest hold in [[Secular Europe|post-Christian Europe]], and has least support in the churchgoing [[United States]].” [“First Things,” May 2002] He was only half-right because he was talking only about that part of the world that once comprised “Christendom.” In [[Saudi Arabia]], for example, there is a good deal of kingly and public (insofar as public opinion can be gauged in such a society) support for the death penalty and–the last time I checked–this oil kingdom was emphatically not a Christian nation...
Scalia was half-right in his contention that “the more Christian a country is the less likely it is to regard the death penalty as immoral. Abolition [of capital punishment] has taken its firmest hold in [[Secular Europe|post-Christian Europe]], and has least support in the churchgoing [[United States]].” [“First Things,” May 2002] He was only half-right because he was talking only about that part of the world that once comprised “Christendom.” In [[Saudi Arabia]], for example, there is a good deal of kingly and public (insofar as public opinion can be gauged in such a society) support for the death penalty and–the last time I checked–this oil kingdom was emphatically not a Christian nation...