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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.

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.  It can also 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.

Opposition to the death penalty ignores its foregoing justifications, and instead resorts to [[pacifism|pacifist]] arguments.  Most opponents of the death penalty are inconsistently [[pro-abortion]].  The [[Roman Catholic Church]] supported the death penalty for most of its existence, and has not changed its doctrine.  [[Jesus]] never denounced the death penalty despite clear opportunities to do so.

Opposition to the death penalty ignores its foregoing justifications, and instead resorts to [[pacifism|pacifist]] arguments.  Most opponents of the death penalty are inconsistently [[pro-abortion]].  The [[Roman Catholic Church]] supported the death penalty for most of its existence, and has not changed its doctrine.  [[Jesus]] never denounced the death penalty despite clear opportunities to do so.