There are different Christian
attitudes to Capital
Punishment.
Many Christians believe that C.P. is
un-Christian and can never be justified.
They feel that a Christian should never
be involved in capital punishment and
should campaign against its use.
They believe this because…
Christianity is based on the belief
that Jesus came to save (reform)
sinners.
It is impossible to reform sinners if they
have been executed.
Jesus banned retribution when he said
that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a
tooth is wrong.
For Christians the law of the New
Testament has replaced the law of the
Old Testament which permits capital
punishment.
Christianity teaches that human life is
sacred and that only God has the right
to take life.
Most Christian churches have condemned
capital punishment, and even those who
have not such as the Roman Catholic
church, have groups of leaders that
have condemned capital punishment,
such as the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the USA.
These Christians would also use all the
non religious arguments against capital
punishment.
Quotes Against Capital Punishment
You have heard that is was said , “eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” But I tell
you . Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right
cheek turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:3-8
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the sight
of everybody…Do not take revenge, my friends, be leave room for God’s
wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to revenge, I will repay.” Romans
12:17-19
We do not have the right , even in the case of those who have committed
dreadful crimes including the murder of others, to take their lives as
punishment. The united reform church believes that even the most
depraved person is capable of reform and that it is societies role to offer
to offer the possibility of reform through the systems of confinement an
imprisonment which the state organises.
Statement by the United Reform church quoted in What the churches
say by C. Johnson
Some Christians believe that Capital
Punishment can be used by Christians as the
best way of preventing murder and keeping
order in society.
They believe this because;
The Bible sets down the death penalty as
the punishment for a number of crimes, so
it is allowed by God
The Bible sets down the death penalty as the punishment
for a number of crimes, so it is allowed by God
Immediately after giving the "thou shalt not kill" precept, the
following two chapters list at least ten offenses punishable by
death:
• All forms of murder,
• Striking, cursing parents,
• kidnapping,
• slaying an unborn child,
• owner of an animal that kills,
• Sorcery,
• bestiality,
• Idolater,
• Abducting people for slavery,
• Sabbath breaking,
Additional scriptures give even
more reasons for putting one to
death:
• Blasphemy,
• Adultery;
•
Incest,
•
Rape,
• False witnesses,
• Homosexuality,
• False prophets,
• Resisting judgment,
• Immorality before marriage but detected afterwards,
• Non-Levites coming near or into sacred areas or duties,
The RC Church and the C of England
have not retracted their statements
which permit the state to use capital
punishment.
The Christian church itself used capital
punishment in the past for heresy (holding
beliefs different from the official church
teachings). This means that capital
punishment cannot be un-Christian.
Christian thinkers such as
Thomas Aquinas argued that
punishment in Christianity
should reform the sinner and
secure peace for society.
However…
He said that the peace of
society is more important than
the reform of the sinner, and
that Christians can therefore
use CP to preserve the peace
of society.
These Christians
would also use the
non religious
arguments in
favour of Capital
Punishment
Quotes for CP
The Laws of the realm may punish Christian men with
death for heinous and grievous offences.
Article 37 of the thirty nine articles of the Church of
England.
If a man hates his neighbour and lies in wait for him, assaults
and kills him and then flees to one of these cities, the elders of
his town shall send for him, bring him back from the city and
hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. Show him no
pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent
blood.
Deuteronomy 19:11-13
'Capital punishment can never be justified.'
Discuss religious responses to this
statement. 8AE
• Much depends on interpretation of scripture
and traditions.
• Principle of forgiveness.
• 'Turn the other cheek' type principles.
• The Golden Rule.
• Non-Violence.
• Agents of God's justice on Earth.
• Sacred writings permit it/ban it.
• Key figures permit it/ban it.
Describe two religious views on
retribution as a purpose of
punishment. 4KU
• Not desirable –
does not follow
religious teachings
• Does not respect
the dignity and
rights of the
offender
• Golden Rule
• God gives permission
to carry out his
justice on Earth
• sacred writings
permit retributive
punishment
• 'eye for an eye'
type teaching.
What do you consider to be the
strengths and weaknesses of these
views of retribution?
6AE
Strength
• Follows religious
teachings.
• Allows justice to be
seen to be done.
• Protects the innocent.
Weakness
• Not forgiving.
• Against religious
teachings.
• Does not look at the
causes of crime.
• Should respect all life.