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According to officially released governmental figures, the [[human rights]] organization  [[Amnesty International]] estimates that [[Singapore]] has the highest execution rate in the world, at 13.65 hangings per 1,000,000 residents.  [[Saudi Arabia]] has the second-highest rate, at 4.65 per 1,000,000.

According to officially released governmental figures, the [[human rights]] organization  [[Amnesty International]] estimates that [[Singapore]] has the highest execution rate in the world, at 13.65 hangings per 1,000,000 residents.  [[Saudi Arabia]] has the second-highest rate, at 4.65 per 1,000,000.

Based on 2004 figures, China is the world leader in total number of executions with an estimated 3,400. Following China is [[Iran]] with 159 and [[Vietnam]] with an estimated 64 executions. The [[United States]] executed the 5th greatest number of people in the world with a total of 52. <ref>''The Economist Pocket World in Figures 2008 Edition'' 2007, p. 99. London: Profile Books. ISBN 978-1846680908</ref>

Based on 2004 figures, China is the world leader in total number of executions with an estimated 3,400. Following China is [[Iran]] with 159 and [[Vietnam]] with an estimated 64 executions. The [[United States]] executed the 5th greatest number of people in the world with a total of 52.<ref>''The Economist Pocket World in Figures 2008 Edition'' 2007, p. 99. London: Profile Books. ISBN 978-1846680908</ref>

=== Australia ===

=== Australia ===

Capital punishment for federal crimes existed for centuries.  After the death penalty was suspended by [[judicial activism]] in 1973, the federal government reinstated it again in 1988.<ref>http://www.justice.gov/dag/pubdoc/deathpenaltystudy.htm</ref>

Capital punishment for federal crimes existed for centuries.  After the death penalty was suspended by [[judicial activism]] in 1973, the federal government reinstated it again in 1988.<ref>http://www.justice.gov/dag/pubdoc/deathpenaltystudy.htm</ref>

Some studies conducted since the start of the new millennium have consistently shown a deterrence factor in the United States based on use of the death penalty.  It has been calculated that each person executed saves the lives of anywhere from 3 to 18 innocent people.<ref>Studies: Death penalty discourages crime  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,280215,00.html</ref> Other studies have shown that as a whole, "death-penalty states" typically have higher murder rates than states that do not have capital punishment, but obviously many other factors influence the overall murder rate, such as poverty and policies toward repeat offenders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?&did=1705#STATES%20WITH%20THE%20DEATH%20PENALTY%20V.%20STATES%20WITHOUT|format=HTML|work=Death Penalty Information Center|language=English|title=Deterrence|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref>

Some studies conducted since the start of the new millennium have consistently shown a deterrence factor in the United States based on use of the death penalty.  It has been calculated that each person executed saves the lives of anywhere from 3 to 18 innocent people.<ref>Studies: Death penalty discourages crime  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,280215,00.html</ref> Other studies have shown that as a whole, "death-penalty states" typically have higher murder rates than states that do not have capital punishment, but obviously many other factors influence the overall murder rate, such as poverty and policies toward repeat offenders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?&did=1705#STATES%20WITH%20THE%20DEATH%20PENALTY%20V.%20STATES%20WITHOUT|work=Death Penalty Information Center|language=English|title=Deterrence|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref>

===Morality===

===Morality===

Some have questioned how a nation such as the United States that largely identifies itself as [[Christian]] (76.5%) could have 65% of Americans believing putting someone to death for a crime is acceptable.<ref>http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm</ref> They question whether or not the [[Bible]] allows such a view.<ref>http://www.itsyourtimes.com/?q=node/3524</ref>. The 6th Commandment is wrongly translated by [[liberal]]s as, "Thou shalt not kill."  This translation suggests that executions are a sin. The correct translation of the 6th Commandment is "Thou shalt commit no murder."  As murder is defined as "wrongful killing", when following that translation it is possible to argue whether or not judicial executions are murder. In any case, any possible moral justification for humans to met out capital punishment upon other humans is based on exactly two interacting facts: '''1)''' humans in the fallen world already are subject to eventual death by natural means; '''2)''' some offenses (crimes, sins) are biologically so deep that the integrity of the central victim(s) is too compromised to recover by natural means (including, but not limited to, death). Added to those two facts is a third: the maintenance of such offenders is in no way the duty of the offended, so long as the offended is not already so guilty ('let only those who are without hypocrisy cast the first stone', or 'a family of thieves cannot selectively punish its members'.)  Finally, and most importantly, the 6th Commandment is part of the [[Mosaic Law]] in the [[Old Testament]], which mandates capital punishment for many offenses (see below); therefore, an interpretation of the 6th Commandment as forbidding capital punishment is [[stolen concept|nonsensical]].

Some have questioned how a nation such as the United States that largely identifies itself as [[Christian]] (76.5%) could have 65% of Americans believing putting someone to death for a crime is acceptable.<ref>http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm</ref> They question whether or not the [[Bible]] allows such a view.<ref>http://www.itsyourtimes.com/?q=node/3524</ref>  The 6th Commandment is wrongly translated by [[liberal]]s as, "Thou shalt not kill."  This translation suggests that executions are a sin. The correct translation of the 6th Commandment is "Thou shalt commit no murder."  As murder is defined as "wrongful killing", when following that translation it is possible to argue whether or not judicial executions are murder. In any case, any possible moral justification for humans to met out capital punishment upon other humans is based on exactly two interacting facts: '''1)''' humans in the fallen world already are subject to eventual death by natural means; '''2)''' some offenses (crimes, sins) are biologically so deep that the integrity of the central victim(s) is too compromised to recover by natural means (including, but not limited to, death). Added to those two facts is a third: the maintenance of such offenders is in no way the duty of the offended, so long as the offended is not already so guilty ('let only those who are without hypocrisy cast the first stone', or 'a family of thieves cannot selectively punish its members'.)  Finally, and most importantly, the 6th Commandment is part of the [[Mosaic Law]] in the [[Old Testament]], which mandates capital punishment for many offenses (see below); therefore, an interpretation of the 6th Commandment as forbidding capital punishment is [[stolen concept|nonsensical]].

==== Methods in the United States ====

==== Methods in the United States ====

===Saudi Arabia===

===Saudi Arabia===

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, rape and armed robbery are executed in public with a sword. As of November 25, 2007, Saudi Arabia has [[Beheading|beheaded]] 136 people, 38 people in 2006 and 83 people in 2005. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312768,00.html Saudi Arabia Marks 136th Beheading of 2007], Associated Press, [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]], November 25, 2007</ref>

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, rape and armed robbery are executed in public with a sword. As of November 25, 2007, Saudi Arabia has [[Beheading|beheaded]] 136 people, 38 people in 2006 and 83 people in 2005.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312768,00.html Saudi Arabia Marks 136th Beheading of 2007], Associated Press, [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]], November 25, 2007</ref>

===European Union===

===European Union===

==History==

==History==

In American history, there was regional variation in the use of the death penalty (with [[The South]] always higher), the execution rate (per million people) dropped steadily between the colonial period and the present, that the number of crimes meriting the death penalty was sharply reduced, and few women were executed, while a disproportionate number of African American, ethnic, and poor men died at the hands of the state.  In [[Colonial America]], capital punishment was used more frequently, as it fit into the context of colonial life. Rates of execution were similar to those in England and matched the general violence of colonial life. There were no prisons for long-term incarceration (only jails for brief incarcerations.) Public executions served as communal warnings. By the 1790s, executions began to decline. Many capital offenses were dropped, the methods of execution changed, and long-term incarceration in prison emerged as the preferred alternative punishment. Executions disappeared from the public square except in the cases of [[lynchings]], which grew in numbers in the South after the Civil War. <ref> Allen and Clubb (2008)</ref>

In American history, there was regional variation in the use of the death penalty (with [[The South]] always higher), the execution rate (per million people) dropped steadily between the colonial period and the present, that the number of crimes meriting the death penalty was sharply reduced, and few women were executed, while a disproportionate number of African American, ethnic, and poor men died at the hands of the state.  In [[Colonial America]], capital punishment was used more frequently, as it fit into the context of colonial life. Rates of execution were similar to those in England and matched the general violence of colonial life. There were no prisons for long-term incarceration (only jails for brief incarcerations.) Public executions served as communal warnings. By the 1790s, executions began to decline. Many capital offenses were dropped, the methods of execution changed, and long-term incarceration in prison emerged as the preferred alternative punishment. Executions disappeared from the public square except in the cases of [[lynchings]], which grew in numbers in the South after the Civil War.<ref>Allen and Clubb (2008)</ref>

==Religious views of capital punishment==

==Religious views of capital punishment==

===Christianity===

===Christianity===

# Coveting and making a wicked thing one's possession (Deuteronomy 7:26; [[Joshua]] 7:15,25)

# Coveting and making a wicked thing one's possession (Deuteronomy 7:26; [[Joshua]] 7:15,25)

The term "put to death" or similar explicit terms are usually used in commands mandating capital punishment, though the term "cut off from his people" (Lev. 17:4, etc.) may also denote such,<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771) on Lv. 17:4, 14</ref> and which would increase the number of capital offenses. However, the latter phrase could potentially refer to [[excommunication]] instead. <ref>http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/TheDeathPenalty.html</ref>

The term "put to death" or similar explicit terms are usually used in commands mandating capital punishment, though the term "cut off from his people" (Lev. 17:4, etc.) may also denote such,<ref>Dr. John Gill (1690-1771) on Lv. 17:4, 14</ref> and which would increase the number of capital offenses. However, the latter phrase could potentially refer to [[excommunication]] instead.<ref>http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/TheDeathPenalty.html</ref>

Conditions necessary for true conviction:  

Conditions necessary for true conviction:  

Lev 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Lev 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Few people support capital punishment for non-murder offenses, and a number of Christians oppose the death penalty in all cases. Apologist [[JP Holding]] argues that the Bible including the [[New Testament]] nowhere repudiates the use of capital punishment (by the State), but that it does not necessarily mandate its use, either. <ref>http://www.tektonics.org/af/cappun.html</ref>

Few people support capital punishment for non-murder offenses, and a number of Christians oppose the death penalty in all cases. Apologist [[JP Holding]] argues that the Bible including the [[New Testament]] nowhere repudiates the use of capital punishment (by the State), but that it does not necessarily mandate its use, either.<ref>http://www.tektonics.org/af/cappun.html</ref>

In Acts 25:11, the [[apostle Paul]] stated, "...if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die", while Romans 13:1-5 states that God has ordained the just use of the sword by the government. (cf. 1 Pet. 2:14)

In Acts 25:11, the [[apostle Paul]] stated, "...if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die", while Romans 13:1-5 states that God has ordained the just use of the sword by the government. (cf. 1 Pet. 2:14)

Some Christians who are opposed to the death penalty cite John 8:3-11, which describes how Christ saved an adulteress from death by stoning by challenging the crowd "let he who has not sinned cast the first stone", which they interpret as saying that man does not have the moral authority to condemn man to death. However, apart from the controversy regarding the canonical status of the passage, it is argued that Jesus is shown to be upholding the law<ref>http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4222897/k.64E4/John_8_is_a_Condemnation_of_Capital_Punishment.htm</ref>, while only stopping the execution of the women by hypocrites, who were themselves convicted of such sins, similar to or including adultery.<ref>John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible</ref><ref>John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</ref> (cf. Matthew 7:5; Romans 2:1) Other Christians argue that the unjust execution of Jesus demonstrates that capital punishment is immoral, though Jesus is not seen opposing the legitimacy of capital punishment itself, and only the unjust use of such power. (Jn. 10:32; 18:23; Acts 25:11) Some Christians claim that the passage was a later addition to the Bible (see article: "[[Adulteress story]]") - if it was a later addition, this might not be an issue to those Christians who believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Some Christians who are opposed to the death penalty cite John 8:3-11, which describes how Christ saved an adulteress from death by stoning by challenging the crowd "let he who has not sinned cast the first stone", which they interpret as saying that man does not have the moral authority to condemn man to death. However, apart from the controversy regarding the canonical status of the passage, it is argued that Jesus is shown to be upholding the law,<ref>http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4222897/k.64E4/John_8_is_a_Condemnation_of_Capital_Punishment.htm</ref> while only stopping the execution of the women by hypocrites, who were themselves convicted of such sins, similar to or including adultery.<ref>John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible</ref><ref>John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</ref> (cf. Matthew 7:5; Romans 2:1) Other Christians argue that the unjust execution of Jesus demonstrates that capital punishment is immoral, though Jesus is not seen opposing the legitimacy of capital punishment itself, and only the unjust use of such power. (Jn. 10:32; 18:23; Acts 25:11) Some Christians claim that the passage was a later addition to the Bible (see article: "[[Adulteress story]]") - if it was a later addition, this might not be an issue to those Christians who believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible.

==== Roman Catholicism ====

==== Roman Catholicism ====

This surprising new position is at odds with the historic use by the Church of capital punishment to deal with heretics, and the cremation of the exhumed bodies of heretics. It may have simply reflected the late 20th century repudiation in Europe of all uses of capital punishment.

This surprising new position is at odds with the historic use by the Church of capital punishment to deal with heretics, and the cremation of the exhumed bodies of heretics. It may have simply reflected the late 20th century repudiation in Europe of all uses of capital punishment.

The Roman Catholic Church generally holds the position of a "Consistent Life Ethic." The Church teaches the protection of life for all humans, from conception to natural death<ref>Paul VI, Humanae Vitae 1968 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html</ref> <ref>John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae 1995 http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0141/_INDEX.HTM</ref> <ref>Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate 2009 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html</ref>. But the Church has never embraced the pacifist position of Quakers in categorically opposing all killing, even to stop, deter, or punish evil.

The Roman Catholic Church generally holds the position of a "Consistent Life Ethic." The Church teaches the protection of life for all humans, from conception to natural death.<ref>Paul VI, Humanae Vitae 1968 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html</ref><ref>John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae 1995 http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0141/_INDEX.HTM</ref><ref>Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate 2009 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html</ref> But the Church has never embraced the pacifist position of Quakers in categorically opposing all killing, even to stop, deter, or punish evil.

===Unificationism===

===Unificationism===

Rev. [[Sun Myung Moon]] said, "Judges sometimes pass death sentences, and yet their verdicts cannot be absolutely right."<ref> [http://www.tparents.org/moon-books/csg-d/CSG-01g.htm Problems with the Existing Doctrines of God]</ref>

Rev. [[Sun Myung Moon]] said, "Judges sometimes pass death sentences, and yet their verdicts cannot be absolutely right."<ref>[http://www.tparents.org/moon-books/csg-d/CSG-01g.htm Problems with the Existing Doctrines of God]</ref>

== Injustices Caused by Limits on Death Penalty ==

== Injustices Caused by Limits on Death Penalty ==