What is the biggest argument of being for the death penalty, and what are good counter arguments?

El Guapo

I can't help you with any solid pro-DP arguments, as I don't think there are any.

There are, however, many solid anti-DP arguments, including:

- Mistakes happen. In the last 35 years in the U.S., 130 people have been released from death row because they were exonerated by DNA evidence (DNA is not available in most homicide cases).

- It costs taxpayers MUCH more to execute someone than to imprison them for life.

- It is not a deterrent - violent crime rates are HIGHER in death penalty jurisdictions.

- It is inconsistently and arbitrarily applied.

- Jesus was against it (see Matthew 5:7 & 5:38-39, James 4:12, Romans 12:17-21, and John 8:7).

- Life without parole (LWOP) is on the books in most states now, and it means what it says. People who get this sentence are taken off the streets. For good.

If this is for a school project, you should check out the website below - it has tons of great info, and links to many other great sites.

Jamie R

The biggest and hardest argument to overcome is that there is a lack of prison space, and that most of those sentenced to death are too far gone to reform. Thus if we execute them then we are freeing up prison space, and keeping them from being a danger to their fellow prisoners and the general public. The biigest argument from most po death penalty supporters, is that the criminal dealt death, so death should be dealt to them. I find this wrong, because the criminal did not do it in the fashion that we will, and revenge does not serve justice.

The economic outlook is that it is cheaper to feed and house a prisoner for life than to execute them. After doctor fees, sterilization, 101 appeals, lawyer fees, and many other miscellaneous things that must be taken into account. The overwhelming fact is it cost about twice as much to kill them.

Also, in the Bible there are many statements concerning death. most in the New Testament do not seem to advocate it, while Old Testament tends to add credence to the death penalty.

I believe there is a time and place for the death penalty. When you are dealing with people like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Kazinsky, and the BTK killer, then yeah, light them up. They will never do a service for their community and they pose serious threats to their fellow inmates. But som many people are sentenced to death that could be rehabilitated that it is hard to condone. Also with new techniques in law enforcement and criminal detection, as well as forensics, we are finding that many of the criminals we thought were guilty may not have been.

Bill C

From a legislative point of view the biggest argument should be clear; because society demands it. In a majority of the states, the legislatures have enacted death penalty laws because that is what the people want. Some states do not have the death penalty because it is the will of the people of that state not to have one. That's how the system works.

The various reasons why someone chooses to be for or against the death penalty vary widely. Be skeptical of what you read in Yahoo Answers and research yourself.

The Death Penalty Information Center (http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org) has lots of good facts and figures and leans toward the Anti-DP viewpoint.

The Pro-Death Penalty (http://www.prodeathpenalty.com) also has lots of good facts and figures and leans toward the Pro-DP viewpoint.

Make sure you check out both sides.

Bret

There are no good arguments against the death penalty as far as I'm concerned. So many need to suffer in order for our society to finally take a hardened murderer off the streets for good. There have been countless cases where a murderer, rapist, or other violent criminal is paroled only to commit the same crimes again. Another innocent victim is sacrificed to satisfy their twisted pleasure, and another family destroyed. Why do these criminals need to be given so many chances before we take care of the problem permanently?

Take a look at the following resource. Although it is pro-execution, there are a number of links to sites that are against the death penalty as well. An overall good resource.

lsc1779

For Death Penalty - Costs less to kill than imprison

Against Death Penalty - ''Thou shalt not kill''

I think the argument is really only a hot topic when it is a civilised country like the US, other countries have executed people for centuries with no issues.

It is only a major issue in the US because of the religious right with their huge lobbying powers.

Personally, I believe that some crimes are terrible but no one has the right to say another should die, the state should not impose the death penalty on anyone but in my opinion, a life sentence should be a life sentence, the person should die in prison.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: