The Death Penalty

Question 1

What is the death penalty?

Answer 1

• An ultimate punishment to deter crime and punish the worst criminal behaviour
• It is still legal in over 80 countries
• Governments are looking for cheaper but more humane ways to end lives
• Gas chamber, electric chair, lethal injection, firing squad, hanging

ABOLISHED IN THE UK IN 1969

Question 2

Christian attitudes FOR the death penalty

Answer 2

• Some believe that it keeps inline with the old testament
• It is regulated and carried out by authorities
• Justice is being served and it is a deterrent for others
• Ultimate punishment
• Death penalty was created by God (Genesis)
• It protects society

Question 3

Christian attitudes AGAINST the death penalty

Answer 3

• Sanctity of life; only God can take lives
• Jesus taught forgiveness and compassion
• Two wrongs do not make a right
• Quakers have campaigned against it for over 200 years
• There could be a mistake in the conviction

Question 4

Muslim attitudes FOR the death penalty

Answer 4

• Although criminals will be judged by Allah they should be punished on Earth
• Life can be taken for a just cause (murder)
• Shari’ah Law practices in circumstances:
  
  • adultery; confessed 4 times if witnessed by 4 people
  • murder; if proven by a fair trial
  • apostasy; direct revolt against Islam
• Acts as a deterrent
• Needed to protect the Ummah

Question 5

Muslim attitudes AGAINST the death penalty

Answer 5

• Forgiveness is important and reconciliation should take place
• There are more humane and suitable ways to punish someone
• It does not actually deter

Question 6

Humanist attitudes on the death penalty

Answer 6

• opposed by humanists
• killing is always wrong
• possible errors for an irreversible sentence
• treating criminals fairly allows for innocent suspects to be treated fairly

Question 7

Arguments in favour of the death penalty

Answer 7

• There needs to be a deterrence for major crimes
• It is the only way to truly protect society
• Victims can feel closure
• Life terms in prisons are expensive

Question 8

SOURCE OF WISDOM - MARGRET THATCHER FOR DEATH PENALTY

Answer 8

“I believe that people who go out prepared to take the lives of other people forfeit their own right to live.”

Question 9

Arguments not in favour of the death penalty

Answer 9

• It is morally wrong, violating human rights in every way
• It doesn’t actually deter people from crime
• It discriminates
• Innocent people could be executed
• Only God has the right to end a life
• Two wrongs do not make one right
• Forgiveness is important

Question 10

SOURCE OF WISDOM - MLK Jr. AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 10

“I do not think that God approves the death penalty for any crime.”

Question 11

CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 11

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” - LUKE 23:33-34

Question 12

CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 12

“thou shalt not kill.” - EXODUS 20:13

Question 13

CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 13

“love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” - MATTHEW 5:44

Question 14

CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 14

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” - LUKE 23:33-34

Question 15

CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM FOR THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 15

“an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” - EXODUS 21:24

Question 16

CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM FOR THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 16

“whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.” GENESIS 9:6

Question 17

ISLAM - SOURCE OF WISDOM FOR THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 17

“and do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right.” - QUR’AN 17:33

Question 18

ISLAM - SOURCE OF WISDOM AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 18

“Never take life, which God has made sacred.” - QUR’AN 17:33

Question 19

ISLAM - SOURCE OF WISDOM AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

Answer 19

“Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” - QUR’AN 24:22