Unit 1 - Capital Punishment

Question 1

Capital punishment definition

Answer 1

Put simply, it is the Death Penalty

It is the Govt authorised practice of executing someone as a punishment for a very serious crime (eg Planned Murder, rape etc)

Basic - The govt authorised execution of a criminal in c90 countries in
the world today

Question 2

5 arguments FOR Capital Punishment

Answer 2

1. Deterrence - Puts others off
2. Retribution - Payback/revenge Not Christians
3. Protection - From murderers, rapists, paedophiles, traffickers etc
4. God authorises - Biblical evidence used to justify. ‘An eye for an eye’
5. Cheap - Keeps costs in prisons down

Question 3

5 arguments AGAINST Capital Punishment

Answer 3

1. Compromises faith - Job 1v21 ‘The lord gives & takes away’
   Gen 1 ‘Man made in image of God’
2. Retribution/Revenge - does not solve problem of criminality
   (Core/Root problem)
3. Not always great Deterrent - doesn’t dissuade criminals (eg Texan
   crime figures no lower than states with no
   no cp
4. Miscarriage of Justice - Criminal or victim of cp found innocent(framed
   5.Expensive - more expensive for trial & execution of criminal on death
   row

Question 4

10 methods of execution

Answer 4

Hanging Electric chair
Beheading Gas chamber
Drowning Crucifixion
Stoning Firing squad
Lethal injection Burnt at stake

Question 5

When capital punishment was abolished

Answer 5

It existed in the UK until 1965 and in NI it was 1973

91 countries in the world still operate the death penalty today

Question 6

Why Christians don’t agree with retribution

Answer 6

They practice forgiveness

They practice the act (physical, emotional and spiritual) of offering their grace to one who has offended or grieved

Question 7

Which of the 10 commandments may be used to support the view that Capital Punishment is never acceptable?

Answer 7

Exodus 20:13 - ‘Do not commit murder’

Question 8

What is forgiveness?

Answer 8

1. Wiping the slate clean
2. Offering undeserved love/mercy/grace
3. Extend kindness to someone
4. Might include the acceptance of an apology

Question 9

Amnesty International and Abortion

Answer 9

Amnesty International are working towards the abolition of the death penalty worldwide. They argue, “The death penalty is wrong; it is a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture or any cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. It is an especially cruel, calculated and cold blooded form of killing. It is not an effective deterrent against murder or any other violent crime. It is irrevocable – it sends innocent people to their deaths”

Question 10

What the bible says

Answer 10

The Old and New Covenants (promises made by God to His people) form a different idea. The Old Testament teaching suggests that God created the death penalty. It lists 36 capital offences, for example, idolatry, magic and blasphemy. Murder is the ultimate capital offence. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasises that Christians should not look for revenge in this way. Paul’s teachings, (in the NT) develops this further. It seems neither he nor Jesus condoned the death penalty but refer to the state’s right to administer the death penalty.

Question 11

The law

And what countries still use it

Answer 11

Capital punishment is not legal in the UK or Ireland but it is still a punishment used in many countries around the world such as:

1. States within America
2. China
3. Countries in the middle east such as Pakistan