Americans - if the bible says thou shalt not kill, how do you justify the death penalty??

happy heathen

First - why is this question directed towards Americans? The death penalty exists all over the world. To single out Americans is narrowminded and inflammatory, IMO.

Second, the bible is a book written by men who presumed to know the thoughts and meanings of "a higher authority". It is not the same as law, written to maintain and sustain an orderly society. While American forefathers may have founded much of our original Constitution on their Christian beliefs, they also had the foresight to include separation of church and state, recognizing that the laws of the land could not, and should not, be dictated by ancient religious writings.

Lastly, the death penalty is not a national law in the United States. Many states have banned it as "unconstitutional" (note, NOT because it goes against the bible), which, IMO, is ridiculous. I personally fail to understand how I am supposed to feel sympathy for a convicted murderer, that s/he might suffer even slightly via the means of execution, when that individual obviously had no respect for the human life s/he took during the commission of the crime. As a taxpayer, I resent the decades of cost inflicted on me to keep someone alive, when there is absolutely no question or doubt whatsoever that the individual committed the heinous crimes they were convicted of. When I was younger, I opposed the death penatly, thinking it was somehow morally wrong. As I have gotten older, my views have changed. I see no viable or sensible reason to maintain such an individual ad infinitum, at the taxpayer's expense. What purpose does this serve? This person will not be rehabilitated, will never be paroled or released back into society, contributes nothing to anybody or anything, and should have justice exacted upon them for the irrevocable loss that took place at their hands.

My feelings are: if, through DNA and every other modern technology available, it is 100% confirmed that this person did, indeed, take another person's life, they should pay the price, and that payment should be made quickly. The bible has nothing to do with it, and shouldn't - ever.

jpbofohio

One thing to remember is that the US Government and US Laws may have a basis on Judeo-Christian tenets, but there is certainly a separation of Church & State. Not everything will agree with the Holy Bible. If that were true, we would not have legal abortions in the United States.

John S

The Bible is not the guiding text of American penal code. Ideally, the law is based on justice and reason and not on empathy or religious convictions. The death penalty is a logical response, ie a society has the right to eliminate physical threats to its individual members. Vicious murderers are not to be trusted or forgiven for their crimes, much as rabid dogs are not to be let back out into public space because they lack any self-control. Thus, the practice is completely acceptable so long as guilt beyond any reasonable doubt is established.

footynutguy

Americans think that they are the world, so they do whatever they like.

â™¥Tallulahâ™¥

Coz religious nuts just adapt the bible or whatever to suit their own purpose

Terry

Your question should be addressed to Christians, not Americans. There are now fewer Christians in the US than the combination of other religions and atheists - so for the majority, the Bible is an irrelevance.

Antman

The Bible i find is full of contradictions, I mean get yer head around this one as i think it quite relevent to this question: It also says in the Bible "An Eye For An Eye" Confused...I am...Sheesh! P.S. Why on Earth have you directed this totally at Americans?? A little shallow don't you think?

bigclaire

"an eye for an eye" should explain that to you nicely.

The actual wording is "murder" not "kill".

There is a difference.

GLH (male 48 UK)

That's why Christians keep the Old Testament as a back-up... it says "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". That way you have the best of both worlds... if someone attacks your family, you can tell them not to by quoting "thou shalt not kill"; if they carry on, you can flip into Old Testament mode and have your revenge.

Plato

The death penalty is a deterrent , therefore not murder. It is indirect killing of a person as opposed to direct killing. One is intended to prevent the action of the aggressor and the other is the aggressor taking someones life.

FineLarry says Stercus Accidit!

I suppose it's like this..... Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out.

DO I CARE?

If Jesus is all about giving to the poor, then why does the Catholic Church, (the Pope) own banks? why is the Pope worth billion's? Not everyone believes in the bible, that's why the death penalty exists, and it should carry on, I'm in full favour of the death penalty, it would make people think twice about committing murder's. And prison's would'nt have over crowding.

goz1111

while the ten commandments says thou shall not kill, the old testament is full of killings in the name of god

hopflower

This is not about Christianity. All cultures have the death penalty or did at one time. It is a way of thinking however, that people are starting to question here in America. I agree, it is outdated and most people in the Western world have abandoned the concept already. The U.S. is just behind like they are in a lot of things.

But people do however, use the Bible to justify a lot of things because it is open to a lot of interpretation. It is the New Testament that is supposed to be in action; not the Old Testament which is obsolete.

kveryeffective

The Bible says thou shalt not MURDER.

The Bible is clear about the death penatly.

The Bible also says that if you don't punish those who take a life that blood is on your hand.

You need to read the Bible instead of it being read to you.

crawl222

Eye for Eye

Chuckler

The death penalty is wrong

alec A

The bible covers it's self with eye for an eye tooth for a tooth.

Social Science Lady

The bible also says an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. You can`t have it both ways.

MARCO

the bible also mentions...eye for an eye...

Jewel

Each individual shouldn't need to be told that to take another's life is wrong, regardless if it is in the Bible or Not.

Since wars between nations and the death penalty is taking another persons life I do not justify it.

I do think the human race should have evolved beyond violence and killing by now but alas it has not.

An imbalance of testosterone maybe or just a diseased sick human race.

But whilst we have murderers walking amongst us I guess the death penalty will be here too.

If we could change the need for the death penalty by helping the global population to health that would be grand.

Peace Brothers and Sisters

she who is awesome

hahaha.

not laughing at you. b/c there's separation of church and state, so americans technically don't have to justify it because the Bible isn't official. But all these american christians say there's separation of church and state so they can kill ppl, but then when you get another issue like abortion, they'll say that the bible says "thou shalt not kill".

Greg G

you missed the part in the bible where it says America the greatest country on Earth can do what it wants

I'm not religious!

mJc

Forget the bible!! The great lake water winter wonderland state of Michigan became the first English speaking government to ban the death penalty back in 1846-47. However, do not cross us... we are a hard working blue/white collar midwestern state and we will defend our right to live in a safe and secure environment by any means necessary.

man of questions

umm, do you really need the bible to tell you that?

ginger

an eye for an eye is the most mis-quoted passage of the bible, i suggest you read it properly. jesus actually said turn the other cheek.

Mrs G

Stop hand wringing for goodness sake.... I take it we are blabbering on about Saddam again...lets get over him.... re: the Death Sentence - put it this way - I am a law abiding Christian - who gets on with his life ... but if anyone were to Torture or Murder ..any member of my Family.. I wouldn't be hanging around waiting to see if Justice would prevail - I would Shoot the Scum myself..& save the Tax payers a few Quid..

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: