Christian attitudes to the Death Penalty

Question 1

What is another name for the death Penalty?

Answer 1

Capital Punishment

Question 2

What did Albert Pierrepoint say?

Answer 2

‘Capital Punishment, in my view, is nothing but revenge’

Question 3

What is Sanctity of life?

Answer 3

Idea that all life is holy as it is created by God and therefore should not be mistreated

‘Do not take life, which God has made sacred, except by right’

Question 4

What is the Principle of Utility?

Answer 4

A philosophical idea that an action is right if it promotes maximum happiness for the maximum number of people affected by it

Question 5

Give argument for it:

Answer 5

Acts as a deterrent for society

Protects society by getting rid of dangerous people

‘Life for a life’

Principle of Utility

Question 6

Give argument against it:

Answer 6

Sanctity of life

Innocents can mistakenly be killed

Against human rights

Reformation is more loving and in keeping with Jesus’ teachings

Restorative Justice is better ‘when I was in prison you visited me’