[justagirl]

I am not really sure how this whole discussion got away from what I originially asked and went to the whole race thing that is so irritating. The race card really CAN get pulled anywhere, and its stupid. So, i went elsewhere for an answer and here is what I got, hope it helps some of you who also didn't really know how to morally justify capital punishment.

The article below may help…



"What does the Bible say about the death penalty / capital punishment?"

Answer: The Old Testament law commanded the death penalty for various acts: murder (Exodus 21:12), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), bestiality (Exodus 22:19); adultery (Leviticus 20:10); homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), being a false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:5), prostitution (Leviticus 21:9) and rape (Deuteronomy 22:24-25), and several other crimes. However, God often showed mercy when the death penalty was due. David committed adultery and murder, yet God did not demand his life be taken (2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-17; 2 Samuel 12:13). Ultimately, each and every sin we commit should result in the death penalty (Romans 6:23). Thankfully, God demonstrates His love for us in not condemning us (Romans 5:8).

When the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and asked Him if she should be stoned, Jesus replied, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7). This should not be used to indicate that Jesus rejected capital punishment in all instances. Jesus was simply exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus into breaking the Old Testament Law...they truly did not care about the woman being stoned (where was the man who was caught in adultery?) God was the One who instituted capital punishment: “Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Jesus would support capital punishment in some instances. Jesus also demonstrated grace when capital punishment was due (John 8:1-11). The Apostle Paul definitely recognized the power of the government to institute capital punishment where appropriate (Romans 13:1-5).

So, basically, we are back to where we started. Yes, God allows capital punishment. But at the same time, God does not always demand the death penalty when it is due. What should a Christian’s view on the death penalty be, then? First, we must remember that God has instituted capital punishment in His Word; therefore, it would be presumptuous of us to think that we could institute a higher standard than He or be more kind than He. God has the highest standard of any being since He is perfect. This standard applies not only to us but to Himself. Therefore, He loves to an infinite degree, and He has mercy to an infinite degree. We also see that He has wrath to an infinite degree, and it is all maintained in a perfect balance.

Second, we must recognize that God has given the government the authority to determine when capital punishment is due (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1-7). It is unbiblical to claim that God opposes the death penalty in all instances. Christians should never rejoice when the death penalty is employed, but at the same time, Christians should not fight against the government’s right to execute the perpetrators of the most evil of crimes."

[LUconn]

real talk

[Hold My Own]

I think all this black and white talk has gotten to LUconn



Real Talk? HA

[justagirl]

real talk

I kind of like it. haha.

[belcherboy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it now more expensive to kill someone via death penalty than it is to keep them in prison for life (i.e. attorney's fees through the appeals court process and all sorts of other things).

But expenses aside, personally I am for the death penalty for premeditated murder as well as those who kill b/c they were driving drunk.

I have read that it costs 3-4 times as much to execute a person as to incarcerate them for life.

The one thing I have heard being discussed is a program that would require prisoners to pay the monetary debt they have accessed from their crimes. Making them work in a controlled environment while serving time, and take earned wages and give them to the creditors of their debt. If they are unable to pay the debt completely while inside prison, garnish their employment outside of prison till they pay off the debt. Once released from prison, part of their probation would require them to be employed. Obviously there would be limitations set in how much they would have to repay, and things dealing with their family/children, but I like the concept. I had also heard for non violent crimes that the harder a person would work, the less time they would have in prison (they could get bonuses that would help knock the debt down faster). I'm not sure if they could create a model that would work.

[Cider Jim]

I have read that it costs 3-4 times as much to execute a person as to incarcerate them for life.

Can someone outline the math/economics of that statement?

[Ed Dantes]

I have read that it costs 3-4 times as much to execute a person as to incarcerate them for life.

Can someone outline the math/economics of that statement?

I think I know where this is coming from. It's because the 'capital punishment' involves more than turning a switch (or pushing a button), namely, 30 years of lengthy, costly appeals processes.

My death penalty solution, by the way:

You have three chances to appeal, each one within 90 days of the other. Once those appeals have been exhausted, you are scheduled to die. Only we won't tell you when you're getting it, just like the victim didn't know.

Six hours before execution, the prisoner is informed that he is going to die. For the rest of that macabre plan, look back a page.

[Ed Dantes]

The one thing I have heard being discussed is a program that would require prisoners to pay the monetary debt they have accessed from their crimes. Making them work in a controlled environment while serving time, and take earned wages and give them to the creditors of their debt.

I think we should institute the "bullet fee." It's something the Chinese government has adopted. Basically, when you are put to death, your family has to pay for the bullet.

[El Scorcho]

So, what about this chick? Should she die? Is her sentence only because she's white? Or is it because she's a female? And how did this happen in Texas?

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/r ... _days.html

[belcherboy]

I have read that it costs 3-4 times as much to execute a person as to incarcerate them for life.

Can someone outline the math/economics of that statement?

From what I have read the cost of lawyers, court fees, equipment used to perform the procedure, and all the other things that are involved in the death penalty are very costly for the state. I'll have to look it up again when I have time. It made sense when I read it a few years ago.

[Ed Dantes]

So, what about this chick? Should she die? Is her sentence only because she's white? Or is it because she's a female? And how did this happen in Texas?

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/r ... _days.html

No, it's because she's cute.