Abs and I have had several discussions about this, and we've pretty much just agreed to disagree. In the Declaration of Independence, it is written that all Americans are granted certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (or possessions, if you're reading the earliest draft). Many believe that if you take the life of another, then you give up that right. The phrase "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" is repeated three times in the Old Testament (Exodus 21, Leviticus 24, and Deuteronomy 19). The New Testament variance of this is when Jesus says, during his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:38, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Other arguments include:
1) the costs of execution (including several appeals cases) vs. costs of imprisonment
2) putting one out of his misery with a "humane" death vs. cruel and unusual punishment (a violation of the 8th amendment)
3) whether or not capital punishment deters crime
Each of these can be argued both ways, so I'm not even going to waste my time.
My biggest problem with the death penalty is that it's basically saying two wrongs make a right. Taking someone's life is basically playing God, whether it be cold-blooded murder or in a gas chamber. There's also the issue of executing an innocent man, and it's not like they get another chance. A 1987 study at Standford University cited at least 23 Americans that have been wrongly executed in the 20th century. If I had to be the person to pull the switch, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
1 comment:
I can see the death penalty as being rare, and in the cases of people who are definitely guilty and will almost certainly kill again. Like Ted Bundy. More like putting down a rabid dog.
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