Difference between revisions of "Capital punishment"
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Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, refers to the custom of executing prisoners who are convicted of certain crimes. | Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, refers to the custom of executing prisoners who are convicted of certain crimes. | ||
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== Capital Punishment in the world today == | == Capital Punishment in the world today == | ||
| + | This method of punishment is banned in all developed countries with the exception of the [[United States]], and [[Japan]]. It is also practiced in most Shari'a states (those whose legal systems are based on the [[Muslim]] legal philosophy), as well as many other countries which are not yet considered to be developed.<ref>EU: [http://www.eurunion.org/legislat/deathpenalty/EurHRConvProt13Decl.htm Concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty in all Circumstances]</ref><ref>Encarta: [http://encarta.msn.com/media_461543496/Capital_Punishment_Worldwide.html Capital Punishment Worldwide]</ref> | ||
| − | + | Though the United States suspended the death penalty in 1973, it was reinstated in 1977. 65% of Americans believe putting someone to death for a crime is acceptable, according to a recent poll. But respondents were close to evenly split on whether they would prefer the death penalty (50%) to mandatory life in prison (46%). The death penalty is most favored by older, white, Republican males.<ref>ABC News/Washington Post poll: [http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/1015a3DeathPenalty.pdf Death Penalty]</ref> | |
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| − | Though the United States suspended the death penalty in 1973, it was reinstated in 1977. 65% of Americans believe putting someone to death for a crime is acceptable, according to a recent poll. But respondents were close to evenly split on whether they would prefer the death penalty (50%) to mandatory life in prison (46%). The death penalty is most favored by older, white, Republican males | ||
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== Biblical View == | == Biblical View == | ||
| + | The Bible has several passages the recommend the death penalty for different offenses. These offenses include homosexuality<ref>Leviticus 20:13</ref>, handling the skin of a pig<ref>Leviticus 11:7-8</ref>, eating shellfish <ref>Leviticus 11:9-12</ref>, and working on the sabbath<ref>Exodus 35:2</ref>. | ||
| − | + | It would appear, however, that this was repudiated by Jesus: "He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone"<ref>John 8:7</ref> is cited as evidence that humans do not have the right to judge another worthy of death. In addition, many Christians find the death penalty repugnant since their Savior was put to death under draconian Roman death penalty laws. | |
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| − | + | ==References== | |
| + | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 21:00, March 17, 2007
Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, refers to the custom of executing prisoners who are convicted of certain crimes.
Capital Punishment in the world today
This method of punishment is banned in all developed countries with the exception of the United States, and Japan. It is also practiced in most Shari'a states (those whose legal systems are based on the Muslim legal philosophy), as well as many other countries which are not yet considered to be developed.[1][2]
Though the United States suspended the death penalty in 1973, it was reinstated in 1977. 65% of Americans believe putting someone to death for a crime is acceptable, according to a recent poll. But respondents were close to evenly split on whether they would prefer the death penalty (50%) to mandatory life in prison (46%). The death penalty is most favored by older, white, Republican males.[3]
Biblical View
The Bible has several passages the recommend the death penalty for different offenses. These offenses include homosexuality[4], handling the skin of a pig[5], eating shellfish [6], and working on the sabbath[7].
It would appear, however, that this was repudiated by Jesus: "He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone"[8] is cited as evidence that humans do not have the right to judge another worthy of death. In addition, many Christians find the death penalty repugnant since their Savior was put to death under draconian Roman death penalty laws.
References
- ↑ EU: Concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty in all Circumstances
- ↑ Encarta: Capital Punishment Worldwide
- ↑ ABC News/Washington Post poll: Death Penalty
- ↑ Leviticus 20:13
- ↑ Leviticus 11:7-8
- ↑ Leviticus 11:9-12
- ↑ Exodus 35:2
- ↑ John 8:7