Yesterday I got into a bit of an argument with some friends over the death penalty. We are all faithful Christians, but I am strongly in favor of the death penalty where they are not. They argued that it's not "merciful" and "you're taking away their right to life and ability to repent."
I argued back saying, "They gave up their right to life when they murdered/raped/kidnapped/etc. Did the criminal show mercy to their victim? The criminal took away the victim's right to life. Criminals on death row spend decades awaiting their sentence, there is more than enough time to repent, and if they refuse to repent on their deathbed then that's their decision. We can't 'force' them to believe when they don't want to. That's their free will choice. Justice must be served, not only in the next life but in this one as well. Justice must be served for the victims and their families. Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent."
They argued that because there have been instances where innocent people are falsely accused and put on death row, that therefore nobody should be put on death row. If we should go by that standard then we should abolish the justice and prison system entirely, because innocent people are put behind bars all the time (Jan. 6th prisoners), far more than they are put on death row. They also said putting someone to death is "too expensive." But giving them free meals and housing in prison for the rest of their lives isn't? And all on our dime?
Even the Bible has stated that it IS lawful for executions to be done against criminals: "For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Romans 13:4.
But I'm wondering what you all think of this? Was I right to advocate for capital punishment when it is appropriate for heinous crimes? In regards to the "elite" who have committed such acts of atrocity against humanity I believe it is well within humanity's right to enact justice on them, to the fullest extent of the law, and that includes capital punishment. Or should we be "the bigger man" and grant them mercy where they wouldn't for us?
TL;DR
Got in an argument with friends about the death penalty. I said it should definitely be allowed when appropriate for heinous crimes. They said it's not "merciful." Should it be allowed or not?
The meaning was not to murder. He certainly instructed the Israelites to kill all the Canaanites, man, woman, and child, and was displeased with them that they failed to do so. He had no trouble with David killing as required to defeat Goliath and later win the war with King Saul, but reproached him for conniving murder by sending Bathsheba's husband to certain death. You really need to read the whole Bible to understand it all.
The point of penalities. Is to deter people from committing crimes.
An instant death tells the thug. So what.. i'll leave this world quick. They don't have to live their their actions.
They are also punishments for crimes of extremity, such as rape and murder. I argue that they are needed to protect society from predators, in which case it doesn't matter what the offender thinks. It only matters that they are gone and can harm no more.
Locking them up should = no more harm caused.
Unless and until they get out. Would you save a man-eating lion from being shot? Or not put down a rabid dog? How can you feel compassion for a man who has no compassion? Why would you want to keep and tend a collection of murderers, rapists, and child molesters? For what noble purpose? Mercy? Their elimination would be mercy for the surviving victims.
I don't think of the death penalty as an occasion for education, revenge, remorse, repentance, or stupid virtue signaling I think of it as excising a cancer, strictly clinically, with no hope or satisfaction attached to it.
In our justice system, they will have some time to live with the consequences of their actions. But there are two reasons for punishment. To PUNISH the offender and to deter others. Death has a way of deterring others.