"Explain how the beliefs you have outlined mitght be used by a Christian concerned about the issue of capital punishment

Some Christians would argue you should allow capital punishment because there is a principle of capital punishment in the Old Testament law code. In Genesis 9:6 it says, "Whoever sheds man's blood by man his blood shall be shed for in the image of God He made a man." This supports the theory of "an eye for and eye" because this verse suggests that if a criminal is found guilty of murder he shall be killed as punishment. This verse also suggests that capital punishment should be based upon a belief in sanctity of life, which means that capital punishment should be based according to your belief and holiness in your life. Throughout the Old Testament we find many cases in which God commands the use of capital punishment. We see this first with the acts of God himself. God was involved, either directly or indirectly, in the taking of life as a punishment

Capital Punishment can be used as a deterrent to stop the criminal committing crime. Punishment can also be a form of retribution or revenge on the criminal for their actions. It makes them suffer for their crime. It can also be a form of protection to society from the criminal. The criminal could be dangerous and it could be for the public's safety and the criminal's well being if he is punished. Punishment can also be a form of reformation, so they can change the criminal's ways and make him/her less likely to commit another crime. Some people also feel that capital punishment is cheaper than keeping the criminals in prison for life.

On the other hand, there are some Christians who oppose capital punishment. Some believe that punishment should be about reforming the criminal because Jesus' mission was to save sinners. In the story of the women caught in adultery. They wanted to stone her for committing adultery. Jesus said to them, "Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her." Everyone left because they had all committed sins. From this parable, Christians believe we can't hurt people who have broken the law unless we are perfect and have never committed a sin. Christians are against retribution because Jesus is against it. Jesus teaches us that we should love our enemies. He also teaches that we shouldn't care if anyone wants revenge on us. "If someone hits you on the right cheek, let him hit you on the left cheek". On a whole some Christians are against Capital Punishment because it does not offer the criminal a chance to reform and become a better person. Also if a criminal is later found innocent, they can not be brought back from the dead.

Within the commandments which the Christians follow, the sixth commandment is "Thou shall not kill." This means that even if you are killing someone as punishment, you are killing a person and that is still classed as murder.

The Christians churches and denominations, also have strong views on capital punishment.

Many Baptists are opposed to it, as human systems of justice are fallible and so innocent people might be executed and they cannot be resurrected. Also it causes the possibility of repentance and of the restoration.

The Roman Catholic Church has three purposes commonly accepted for punishment. These purposes are retribution, remedial and deterrence. Rarely, does any Christian Theologian want to argue that the retribution is the moral justification for any form of punishment. Although there are the common purposes for punishment, the Catholic Church had never officially condemned the death penalty. The Catholic Church also said they do not agree with Capital Punishment as it goes against the laws of God.

The Salvation Army accept of capital punishment from background morals. Salvationists seek to understand how the God they worship identified himself with sinners through the life of Jesus, was unjustly executed as a criminal in degrading circumstances.

The United Reformed Church opposes to capital punishment, and says that all life is sacred and no one has the right to take it away. This view is based on the principle that human life is sacred, and that we do not have the right even in the worst of cases, to take criminals lives away as punishment. Another reason for not supporting the death penalty is the possibility of human error in reaching a verdict.'

In conclusion the debate of Christians being concerned with capital punishment has two arguments. In the Bible it does not actually state whether capital punishment should be allowed or not, because in different parts of the Bible there are different chapters and verses which support both side of the argument. Therefore I think that Christians will answer this question depending on their upbringings and their religious beliefs.

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