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. | |
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| + | == Capital Punishment in the world today == | ||
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| + | This method of punishment is banned in many of the developed nations in the world. It is still practiced in the [[United States]], [[Botswana]], [[India]], [[Zambia]], and [[Japan]]. It is also practiced in most [[Muslim]] states, as well as many other countries which are not yet considered to be developed [http://www.eurunion.org/legislat/deathpenalty/EurHRConvProt13Decl.htm]. | ||
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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 [http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/1015a3DeathPenalty.pdf]. | ||
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| + | == Biblical View == | ||
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| + | Some Christians interpret the Biblical passage in which Jesus says, "He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone" (John 8:7) as evidence that humans do not have the right to judge another worthy of death. | ||
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| + | However, the Bible also has many passages the recommend the death penalty for different offenses. These offenses include homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), handling the skin of a pig (Leviticus 11:7-8), eating shellfish (Leviticus 11:9-12), and working on the sabbath (Exodus 35:2). | ||
Revision as of 16:02, March 15, 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 many of the developed nations in the world. It is still practiced in the United States, Botswana, India, Zambia, and Japan. It is also practiced in most Muslim states, as well as many other countries which are not yet considered to be developed [1].
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 [2].
Biblical View
Some Christians interpret the Biblical passage in which Jesus says, "He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone" (John 8:7) as evidence that humans do not have the right to judge another worthy of death.
However, the Bible also has many passages the recommend the death penalty for different offenses. These offenses include homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), handling the skin of a pig (Leviticus 11:7-8), eating shellfish (Leviticus 11:9-12), and working on the sabbath (Exodus 35:2).