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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]]. The basis for capital punishment comes from the [[Bible]], particularly passages such as Genesis 9:5–6,<ref>Multiple references:

'''Capital punishment''', also known as the '''death penalty''', refers to the custom of executing prisoners who are convicted of certain heinous [[crime]]s. Such crimes are known as capital crimes, 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.

*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.

*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/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> Banning the death penalty results in less freedom and a larger prison population.

*[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> Banning the death penalty results in less freedom and a larger prison population.

There are many compelling justifications for the death penalty:

There are many compelling justifications for the death penalty:

*it promotes confession, repentance, and conversion by the criminal, such as the notorious serial killer [[Ted Bundy]];

*it promotes confession, [[repentance]], and conversion by the criminal, such as the notorious serial killer [[Ted Bundy]];

*it helps bring closure and relief to the families of victims of terrible crimes;

*it helps bring closure and relief to the families of victims of terrible crimes;

*it helps deter wrongdoing, such as murder while in prison;

*it helps deter wrongdoing, such as murder while in prison;