User:Robliu89

Capital Punishment

Problem:

Capital Punishment has become a big problem in America. It is much more a problem in some states more than others. Most of the north east states don’t even follow the death penalty. Particularly Texas has the highest rate of death penalties than any other state by far. Almost all Texans approve of capital punishment and this is mainly why it is so popular. Studies have shown that during the six years in which George Bush was governor, the state put 152 people to death, out of 401 executions since 1976. In most other states, capital punishment is much more controversial. Each state has the decision to force it upon themselves, or not to. The states that have a higher death rate like Texas, Virginia, and Missouri maybe think that capital punishment will solve problems. Maybe ending someones life is the worst penalty, although locking someone up in a cell for many years would be probably much worse. It seems like it’s the governments way to save time on someone who deserves dying, although humans cannot judge who deserves to die or not.

Human Rights Violations:

Capital Punishment and the deatrh penalty go against many Human Rights sections. On of them is section 7, everyone has the right to life. The death penalty is clearly going against this section because the united states does not have human rights violations against capital punishment or inhumane treatment. Another section would be section 12 Everyone has the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. Maybe for the United States it is not unusual to give someone the death penalty but in not in Canada.

Catholic Perspective:

Although the bible does say whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” in the book of Genesis we are also told in the sixth commandment Thou shalt not kill. The catholic view on capital punishment is in opposition to the death penalty. According to Pope John Paul II, in the Evangelium Vitae he says ...the nature and extent of the punishment must be carefully evaluated and decided upon and ought to go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity: In other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society. Today, however as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent. Not only are the catholic views not in favor of capital punishment, it is widely disfavored in the New Testament of the Bible. Although the Old Testament suggests the death penalty in many situations, many Catholics and Christians do not believe they are binding anymore. One example of the death penalty being overruled in the New Testament is the story of a woman being convicted and sentenced to be stoned to death when Jesus comes up with a clever plan to gain her freedom in the book of John 8:7.

Effects:

Moral/Ethical: Many believe that in sentencing a person to death that the state is playing the position of God. In sentencing a person to death they are to be executed before the time of his or her natural death. Not only is the state playing the role of God, but sentencing the death penalty sends victims to hell in the perspective of Catholics. This is because if a person dies before being saved or confessing their sins they will go to hell for eternal punishment. Not only is capital punishment unacceptable through the views of Catholics, it is also unacceptable through the majority of society. So if murder is an act not tolerated by through the eyes of society, the state should not be an acceptance to this.

Social/Cultural: If capital punishment had been shown to decrease the amount of crime and murder it would still be a questionable topic, unfortunately this is not the case. It has been illustrated by many sources such as Facts about deterrence and the death penalty, at: http://www.essential.org/ that capital punishment has not lowered the rate of crime. Not only does the death penalty not lower rates of crimes and murders, it does not bring back victims to morning families, or even justify the acts, it just adds to the death toll.

By: Rob Liu and Emile Hannah