Arguments For And Against The Death Penalty

Question 1

For the death penalty?

Answer 1

Deterrence
It will stop people from committing serious crimes.

Retribution
It is the ultimate payback for a criminal who has committed an evil act.

Protection
If a criminal is put to death, they can no longer commit any more crime, so society is safer.

God authorises the death penalty
The Bible speaks in favour of the death penalty and the Bible is the word of God, therefore, is the ultimate authority.

It is cost-effective
Capital punishment is the cheapest way of dealing with crime.

Question 2

Arguments against the death penalty?

Answer 2

• Statistics show that in the USA, more murders take place in states where capital punishment is allowed so it does not put people off committing crime.
• It ‘lowers the tone’ of society – inappropriate for modern, civilised society.
• It is revenge, not justice; using inhumane ways to kill criminals.
• Those that use the lethal injection are causing doctors to go against their morals.
• Life in prison would be more just than death, allowing criminals to reflect and repent for their crime.
• It makes convicted terrorists into martyrs.
• Everyone has the right to life, even criminals. Capital punishment violates that right.
• Judges and juries are human and therefore subject to human error. Innocent people have been killed – in the USA, 116 people sentenced to death have been found innocent since 1973 and released.
• Should those who kill because they are insane not be helped, rather than convicted?
• God creates life, so He should be the only one to destroy it.
• It goes against the commandment, ‘Do not kill’.
• Jesus taught compassion and forgiveness.
• The death penalty is not cheap. When the death penalty was legal in New York (1995-2004) costs for each person condemned to death were approximately $23 million.
• Monetary value should not be considered when dealing with someone’s life.