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?
Actually, it will. The looming continuing existence of the killer / rapist / molester will be gone. It will make a big difference.
If you think it is revenge, you are quite mistaken. I see in this your own projection. You speak like a man who knows revenge, but does not know fear. I have not made my argument on the strength of revenge. Why do you throw it in?
"Make an example of them"? How? Since when has that ever been a program? They are simply put in a zoo without visitors, to be fed and washed on a regular basis. You are making up a nostrum that has never been true, and bears no likelihood of ever being true. They are always and normally thrown down the memory hole---but you would change that. Waving around the continuing existence of murderers, rapists, and child molesters cannot possibly be comfortable for the victims. It may even serve to give them notoriety, if not infamy. And be an example to other pending violators of "Look at what you can do in the realm of vile behavior...and get away with it!" Why would you want to encourage murderers, rapists, and molesters to continue their behavior, when there is nothing fatal at risk?
And you continue to evade the ever-present possibility that others farther down the path from you will get into authority and commute the sentences of such filth ("They have suffered enough!") to let them walk again among us.
You do you. I'll do me.
Then you get to explain to the victims why, out of the purity of your Christianity, you will not put murderers, rapists, or molesters to death, in order that they can put the catastrophe in the past. No, you want them around so it may be possible to release them. That's what it comes down to.
Because I don’t want to let them off easy. I want them in the smallest room possible and have them think for the rest of their lives what they done!
Dream on. Cruel and unusual punishment is prohibited, and "the smallest room possible" is sheer torture, proven by historical cases. Moreover, there is no way you can get a predator to dwell on his misdeeds. Why would he think they were misdeeds? All he is likely to do is bank his fires and generate a burning hatred of those who put him there and keep him there, and a desire to Get Even. Kill a prison guard...or anyone. What could be the down side, since he could never be put to death?
Here you talk about revenge not being worthy or effective---and yet you dwell on subjecting the miscreant to a lifetime of torture in the anticipation that they would obsess over their deeds. For you, torture is not revenge?
Uh ... you don't think they already KNOW that they did? You don't think they already PLANNED the murder or rape or whatever? They thought about it, alright. And they did it anyway, and they enjoyed it. Geesh. Bottom line, you must like the bad guys because you sure do take up for them.