Capital Punishment is no longer practised in our society.Explain what differing Christian attitudes might be to Capital Punishment.

Although this is a strong argument, there is an opposing argument which states, if murder is wrong, why is execution right? Execution is the same as murder as it is ending some ones life prematurely so by using the death penalty as a method of punishment we are in return committing the same crime and therefore it should only be right if we are punished in the same way. Not all Christians would take the words from the story of Noah as a command to execute murderers. Some take it to mean that God's justice will in the end catch up with those who do evil. Or as it is in the Old Testament, some would say it is overruled by Jesus' words as what he teaches in the New Testament is meant to correct what was said in the Old Testament.

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But now I tell you: do not take revenge on some one who wrongs you. If any one slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too...

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your friends, hate your enemies.' But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

(Matthew 5:38-39, 43-44)

This quote from Jesus seems to rule out the death penalty. He never directly mentions it but we know he would have been against it. Jesus was friends with outcasts, who were thought to be scum or criminals. He wanted them to repent, change their minds or their ways. He did not believe people like that should be killed and so many Christians today follow the example of Jesus and believe those who commit crimes should not be given the death penalty but rather a chance to reform.

Some Christians could then argue that there are many other viable reasons that the death penalty could be used as a form of punishment.

The death penalty removes the risk that the murderer would repeat their crime. A study by Isaac Ehrlich found that the murder rate responded to the changes in the likelihood of execution. He concluded that 7 or 8 murders were prevented by each execution from 1933 to 1967. The death penalty can therefore act as a deterrent. People will not commit serious crimes if they will die for them. The death penalty would frighten would-be murderers or terrorists.

The argument opposing this is that there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that the death penalty is an effective deterrent. In fact Police chiefs ranked the death penalty as least effective among 7 methods of reducing homicide rate. 31% viewed the usage of drugs as the most effective; 17% with a better economy and more jobs, 16% by simplifying court rules; 15% with longer prison sentences and 1% by expanding the use of the death penalty. It is also not a good deterrent as there have been cases where the wrong person was killed. How can this be rectified? Once the person is dead, they cannot be brought back even if found innocent.

In 1950 Timothy Evans was hanged for the murder of his daughter. He was innocent. The murder was probably John Christie, who shared a house with Evans. Christie was hanged in 1952 for the murder of 7 people. The queen pardoned Timothy Evans in 1966, sixteen years after his death, but what good is this to his family?

Other arguments for capital punishment are that a so- called life sentence is not punishment enough. Some 'lifers' are back on the street in a few years so is that really a repayment for the life they took away?

As always there are counter arguments. Capital punishment may make convicted terrorists into martyrs. They would not see dieing as a punishment, only that they were fighting for their cause.

Those who believe the death penalty is wrong could use to back them up that Jesus never used violence to get his point across. They believe Jesus was a pacifist and he wanted us to be peacemakers. Jesus gave all his teachings through parables and therefore he aimed to change the opinion of those whom he thought in the wrong. In turn this could mean that Jesus wished to reform the non- believers and offenders rather than punish them. We should use this today and if we use the death penalty there would be no chance for offenders to reform. Therefore we will not be setting the example that Jesus set for us. Although peace does not mean sitting back and doing nothing- peace also involves justice, and working for a world without violence so offenders would not go unpunished.

Those for Capital Punishment could offer this as an opposite view of what Jesus wanted us to do. Some say Jesus did not believe in pacifism.

"Do not think I have come to bring peace to this world. No I did not come to bring peace but a sword."

(Matthew 10:34)

Some Christians think it is right to defend a good cause. While Christ's ultimate purpose is to bring peace, it may be necessary to take sides and fight to achieve this.

Jesus himself used violence to drive the moneychangers out of the temple.

"He scattered the coins of the moneychangers and over turned their tables"

(John2: 5-6)

Capital Punishment is no longer practised in our society.

Explain what differing Christian attitudes might be to Capital Punishment.

Louise Davidson