Capital Punishment And Forgiveness Flashcards
Countries where capital punishment is legal
Saidi Arabia
China
Egypt
Nigeria
Iran
5 methods of capital punishment
Lethal injections
Electrocution
Gas chambers
Hanging
Firing squad
When was the death penalty made illegal in the UK
1998
When were the last people in the UK to be sentenced to death executed?
1964
The history of the law for the death penalty in the UK
In 1965 the death penalty for murder was suspended for 5 years until 1969. It was then made permanent however it was not until 1998 it was abolished for all crimes
Capital punishment definition
The practise of executing someone because they have committed a serious crime
Arguments FOR capital punishment
- deterrence: will stop other criminals committing a similar crime
- retribution: some evil acts need a ultimate payback like capital punishment
- protection: if evil people are removed the society is protected
- arguments from religion: some people argue the bible is in favour of capital punishment. The Old Testament law gives examples of crimes where the perpetrators should be put to death
- financial: some people argue it is cheaper to put a criminal to death rather than keep them in prison for the duration of their lives
Arguments against capital punishment
It’s argued that it doesn’t actually deter criminals. Eg: in Texas where it is legal there are more murders then many states which don’t have the death penalty in place
People believe it lowers the tone of their community
People argue it is revenge and shouldn’t be dealt with such an inhumane way. It is also believed some forms of execution are cruel and lead to unnecessary suffering for the criminal
It’s unfair for the people who have to administer the lethal injection
Others argue it’s a easy way out for criminals when they should be made to suffer in jail for the rest of their lives
People may argue everyone has a right to life
Wrong person may be convicted. In America many people who were sentenced to death and found to be innocent after already dying.
Christian’s believe in grace and forgiveness. In the sermon and the mount ‘you have heard of a eye for a eye but I teach you to turn the other cheek’
What does the Old Testament say about capital punishment
It lists a range of offences that were punished by the death penalty.
Genesis 9:6 states “humans are made in gods image so if you murder them your life will be taken”
What does the New Testament say about capital punishment
People believe that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament and teaches a new way “now I tell you, do not take revenge on someone who has wronged you” (Matthew 5:38-39)
Jesus also emphasises that you should be careful not to judge others as “all have fallen short of gods standard”
What does the Presbyterian church think of capital punishment
The Presbyterian church in America issued “a social creed for the 21st century” in 2008. This includes the call for Christian’s to work for a ‘system of criminal rehabilitation based in restorative justice and an end to the death penalty’
John Calvin and Martin Luther thought it was the right punishment for some people but as time went on Protestant denominations are not in favour of this type of punishment
What does the Catholic Church think of capital punishment
It has historically believed capital punishment is necessary and even had the death penalty if anyone tried to assassinate the pope. However the Catholic Church stand by a statement from 1997 that it should only be used if it is absolutely necessary
6 reasons why people are punished
Protection
Deterrent
Reform
Vindication
Revenge/retribution
Repayment
Explain the reason for punishment ‘protection’
They may remain a threat to others if not apprehended
Explain the reason for punishment ‘deterrent’
Punishments may stop others from committing similar crimes
