The Death Penalty Worldwide and Religious Views Arguments
- Slides: 6
The Death Penalty Worldwide and Religious Views
Arguments For… • The Government has the responsibility to protect citizens • Most criminals are likely to re-offend • Peace of mind for victim’s family • Preferable to life imprisonment for many • Deters crime
Arguments Against… • Killing is wrong under any circumstance • Evidence is not always conclusive and mistakes are made • Minorities are more likely to be executed • Rehabilitation is preferable to death • The death penalty doesn’t always deter crimes.
The death penalty is clearly inconsistent with Buddhist teaching. Buddhists place great importance on non-violence and caring for all life. Buddhists are required to not injure or kill any living creature. Under Buddhism if the crime is particularly serious, the person may be banished from the community or country ‘An action cannot be considered a good action if it causes physical and mental pain to another being. ’ The Buddha
Christians argue both for and against the death penalty. Some stick to the Old Testament idea of an eye for an eye and is the idea that whatever crime you commit you should have the same thing done to you. It also says in the Bible, ‘Whoever sheds the blood of another, by another will his blood be shed. ’ Other Christians oppose the death penalty. They believe that forgiveness and not revenge is important and that the even a criminal is made in the image of God and could change for the better. In the Ten Commandments God said that we should not kill. Capital punishment is breaking this commandment. Also, Jesus taught Christians to forgive our enemies and not seek revenge.
What would a Utilitarian think? A Utilitarian could be for CP because– • It might lead to the prevention of crime • It protects most people from criminal actions of a few A Utilitarian could be against CP because– • Innocent people might be executed and as most people are innocent it is better not to have it • If the law doesn’t respect human life then people may follow the example and not respect human life. This would be bad for society
