lakeesha Hennessy Williams answered
The death penalty is one of those topics that is always going to divide people.
Personally, I can see its benefits- although I would have to admit that there are also negatives.
I agree with the death penalty because...
In my home state of Louisiana, people can be executed for committing very serious crimes like murder.
If someone was to take away the life of someone you loved, how would you feel about it? Wouldn't you want them dead? Doesn't that seem like fair retribution?
Also think about all those rapists and murderers who end up serving relatively low sentences. They are usually eligible for parole after 10-15 years. Their victim doesn't have that option - how is that fair and just?
One final point is that these criminals that we keep in prison can cost the state a lot of money. That's money that could be helping people who really need it.
I disagree with the death penalty because...
Well, the first reason the death penalty makes me uneasy is the fact that the judicial system has been known to make mistakes from time to time.
Whilst I'm sure most people on death row are probably guilty, there will always be an unlucky minority that gets wrongfully prosecuted.
The other issue is one of morality. The Bible teaches us about forgiveness and redemption. Jesus even forgave Judas. How can we then turn against our fellow man?
People use that 'eye for an eye' quote a lot- but the New Testament actually has a line that says:
"An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:38–39) Based on this last point, I feel the most Christian thing to do would be to forgive rather than to seek vengeance. People can be reformed in prison, killing them will just spread the seeds of hate.
Personally, I can see its benefits- although I would have to admit that there are also negatives.
I agree with the death penalty because...
In my home state of Louisiana, people can be executed for committing very serious crimes like murder.
If someone was to take away the life of someone you loved, how would you feel about it? Wouldn't you want them dead? Doesn't that seem like fair retribution?
Also think about all those rapists and murderers who end up serving relatively low sentences. They are usually eligible for parole after 10-15 years. Their victim doesn't have that option - how is that fair and just?
One final point is that these criminals that we keep in prison can cost the state a lot of money. That's money that could be helping people who really need it.
I disagree with the death penalty because...
Well, the first reason the death penalty makes me uneasy is the fact that the judicial system has been known to make mistakes from time to time.
Whilst I'm sure most people on death row are probably guilty, there will always be an unlucky minority that gets wrongfully prosecuted.
The other issue is one of morality. The Bible teaches us about forgiveness and redemption. Jesus even forgave Judas. How can we then turn against our fellow man?
People use that 'eye for an eye' quote a lot- but the New Testament actually has a line that says:
"An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:38–39) Based on this last point, I feel the most Christian thing to do would be to forgive rather than to seek vengeance. People can be reformed in prison, killing them will just spread the seeds of hate.
