Death Penalty

[Little Horn]

Personally, I'm for the death penalty for a number of reasons.

What about you guys? How do you feel about the death penalty? When do you think it's an appropriate punishment? Do you think we should be more liberal with sentencing people to death?

[runtohell121]

meh... i believe its good.. if someone did a super bad thing.. then death penalty is one good way..

[Sapphire]

I've always been very torn on this issue, I definitely don't have a "yes" or a "no", although I do lean toward being against it.

On one hand, I can understand the hate that the victim's families have for the person who took their loved one's life and caused such distress, and see how putting the murderer to death would bring closure to them. Some people have committed such horrible, monstrous acts that I hardly think that they deserve to breathe the air, (despite all of my reasons below).

On the other, execution obviously can't change in any way what someone did to end up there. It does not prevent any kind of crime- many states that use the death penalty have more murders take place there compared to states that don't enforce it. It costs taxpayers far more to execute someone than for them to spend the rest of their life in prison. The death-row inmate's family who is completely innocent will also have to live knowing that their loved one will be put to death by the state. One of the biggest argument's against is that there is a very slim, but very real possibility that the person on death row is actually innocent. I also personally believe that life in prison with no possible parole or release is a worse punishment than being put to death.

If I was looking at the rest of my life in prison knowing that I would never take a step outside of the walls again, I hope that they go ahead and kill me, before I make it easier and get the job done myself- seriously.

[mr.handsomeman]

i think there was a thread on this before.

anyways.....

I'm all for it, I mean, it saves a whole lot of money. It's a whole lot cheaper to kill someone than it is to take care of them for the rest of their life.
I've always been for it.

[Sapphire]

Originally Posted by mr.handsomeman

i think there was a thread on this before.

anyways.....

I'm all for it, I mean, it saves a whole lot of money. It's a whole lot cheaper to kill someone than it is to take care of them for the rest of their life.
I've always been for it.

I've heard a lot of people say that, but it is the complete opposite actually. This is from a website called Balanced Politics, but if you do a bit of research many more studies and info will come up.

"Financial costs to taxpayers of capital punishment is several times that of keeping someone in prison for life. Most people don't realize that carrying out one death sentence costs 2-5 times more than keeping that same criminal in prison for the rest of his life. How can this be? It has to do with the endless appeals, additional required procedures, and legal wrangling that drag the process out. It's not unusual for a prisoner to be on death row for 15-20 years. Judges, attorneys, court reporters, clerks, and court facilities all require a substantial investment by the taxpayers."

[Hostile]

Hmm. I am for the death penalty. There are just some people that do very horrible things and get what they deserve. I really don't believe that it costs more to put someone to death then it does for them to spend their life in prison but that could be true. Besides the money aspect, most of our prisons are overcrowded, so throwing criminals with a life sentence in them just makes that problem worse. I also agree that life in prison with no possible parole is probably a worse punishment then death.

[KaJuN]

I'm against it because it's the easy way out for the criminal. The family and friends of a murder victim have to live with their loss for the rest of their lives. Once the murderer is put to death his suffering is over.

The other thing is the way we put them to death is ridiculously unfair. Someone who tortures and painfully kills someone is put to death not too unlike a sick animal. They feel no pain. I say lock them up for life and force them into hard labor. Make them work to help society and not just be a drain on it while sitting in their air conditioned cells.

[Hostile]

Yeah KaJun, good point. People that would normally get the death penalty should have to do jobs that most common people wouldn't want to do. It just brings up the issue of what jobs can they do without affecting public safety which is the whole reason they'd be put to death in the first place. But why are our jails so nice and cushy? They are criminals for God sakes!

[mr.handsomeman]

Originally Posted by Sapphire

I've heard a lot of people say that, but it is the complete opposite actually. This is from a website called Balanced Politics, but if you do a bit of research many more studies and info will come up.

"Financial costs to taxpayers of capital punishment is several times that of keeping someone in prison for life. Most people don't realize that carrying out one death sentence costs 2-5 times more than keeping that same criminal in prison for the rest of his life. How can this be? It has to do with the endless appeals, additional required procedures, and legal wrangling that drag the process out. It's not unusual for a prisoner to be on death row for 15-20 years. Judges, attorneys, court reporters, clerks, and court facilities all require a substantial investment by the taxpayers."

you see, I've heard this too, but that's why some states, like Texas (woot woot!) are trying to make the process faster, so that people aren't waiting that long to die.

[PoN]

im for the death penalty. To a certain extent. Such as if you murder or raped / molested someone. Not for small stuff like stealing and other small reasons.

[Sapphire]

Many murderers don't serve life in prison, or even 25 years. A former friend of mine's brother was killed in a horrible way, and his killers served only FOUR years each. He was a drug addict, so I guess the judge and/or jury thought that his life was worth less than anyone else's, which is despicable and makes my blood boil. For rapists etc being put to death, I have been a survivor of it for many years now and with as much anger I have over it I still personally think that is too harsh of a punishment. Lock them up for a long time yes, but don't end their life. Oh yeah, and prison is not a comfortable place to be (at least for most), I've heard stories from a couple people who have served 5+ years... scary stuff.

[Trogdor]

I see no justice in killing a criminal, Christ said you without sin throw the first stone, I find that saying applies

[Little Horn]

Originally Posted by Trogdor616

I see no justice in killing a criminal, Christ said you without sin throw the first stone, I find that saying applies

But does God not also tell us that death is not only a justifiable punishment for murder but also the required one in Genesis?

But flesh with the life thereof, [which is] the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Genesis 9:4-6

[AquaToad]

na man. Chinese Water Torture FTW

but seriously, sure i think its fine. but i dont think it should be the first punishment. if he kills 3 peeps, goes to jail, gets out, then kills some more, kill him

[Saline]

Originally Posted by floorpuncher

But does God not also tell us that death is not only a justifiable punishment for murder but also the required one in Genesis?

But flesh with the life thereof, [which is] the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Genesis 9:4-6

That's from the Old Testament, Trogdor's was from the New Testament, which most every denomination of Christianity follows. In the old testament, God required payment for sins, but in the new testament Christ intercedes and becomes the payment for our sins.

As for my oppinion on the death sentence, I'm really not sure. A part of me want justice, and wants it soon, but another part of me realizes that justice belongs to God, and in the end he'll work it out. I do believe in punishment for crimes, but the death sentence is gray area for me.

[Little Horn]

Originally Posted by Saline

That's from the Old Testament, Trogdor's was from the New Testament, which most every denomination of Christianity follows. In the old testament, God required payment for sins, but in the new testament Christ intercedes and becomes the payment for our sins.

I understand the difference between the two book however, the Old Testament must still be relevant as it is still used as the "Law book" so to speak is it not? Who decides what is portions of the Old Testament is still valid? I'm not trying to start another religious debate, only curious.

Originally Posted by Saline

but another part of me realizes that justice belongs to God, and in the end he'll work it out. I do believe in punishment for crimes, but the death sentence is gray area for me.

Do you believe that the Government has the responsibility to protect the people it governs?

[Saline]

Originally Posted by floorpuncher

I understand the difference between the two book however, the Old Testament must still be relevant as it is still used as the "Law book" so to speak is it not? Who decides what is portions of the Old Testament is still valid? I'm not trying to start another religious debate, only curious.

I understand. Basically the things that have changed are the areas dealing with payments for sin. Because Christ was the ultimate sacrifice, so to speak. But stuff like the 10 commandments are still obeyed.

Originally Posted by floorpuncher

Do you believe that the Government has the responsibility to protect the people it governs?

Yup, they've been given authority and I should respect it. Mindfully, but I still should give them respect.

[133794m3r]

Well time for me to chime in... I'm for it absolutely and wholly, there is no reason why it shouldn't happen. I'm for it... and it's purposes are great.