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... Watkins
The Death Penalty: Justice or Murder? ... Capital punishment is used in the United States as a form of “justice”; this punishment of death is implied on the most serious of crimes. ... Definition of and description of the topic: The history of the death penalty in America is a long one, tracing back more than a century before the United States was established as an independent country. “Britain
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influenced Americas use of the death penalty more than any other country. ... By definition, the death penalty means “A sentence of punishment by execution; putting a condemned person to death. ... Electrocution was used as a method of the death penalty from 1913 to 1994 in America. ... Since 1976, 220 inmates on death row were granted clemency, due to reasonable doubt of guilt or other humanitarian reasons; 107 of these 220 were completely released from death row, due to evidence of their innocence. ... The idea of the death penalty creates chaos and confusion, as well as opening more wounds within society, rather than creating a sense of closure, as many believe it does. ... This value calls for respect for life from conception to death; the taking of another’s life, no matter if that person has murdered or destroyed another life, is not justified. ... power over, is also violated by the death penalty: lawmakers and juries across the United States choose the fate of a convicted man or woman, giving them obvious power over the convicted. ... When Aba Gayle’s 19 year old daughter was murdered in 1980, the prosecutor tried to convince her that she would begin healing after the murderer was convicted and executed, but Gayle was not convinced that the death penalty would lead her to the healing which she desired. ... Gayle is just one of thousands of victims’ surviving relatives who refuses to yield to the concept of the death penalty as a healing method. ... I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary. ... The Catholic Church holds these views and opinions concerning the death penalty because of a strong sense of faith and morals, extracted from the high value of human life proclaimed by God. ... I have no doubt in my mind that Jesus would be completely against the death penalty, especially considering the fact that He, Himself, an innocent man, was put to death. Throughout Jesus’ teachings in the Bible, one theme seemed rather consistent, even to His death, as He said, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do. ... "
These references alone give biblical examples of Jesus’ opposition to the death penalty. I think that those on death row would be no exception for forgiveness in Jesus’ mind; there is always a chance for change and
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redemption within each human being.
Approximate Word count = 2322
Approximate Pages = 9.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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