The Death Penalty

Hanging, poisoning, Electrocuting, Decapitating- these are all different names used to describe one decisive action, known as capital punishment. Capital punishment is the highest form of discipline a government can give to convict a criminal. It has been a method of punishment for millenniums, even being touched on in the Old Testament. Even now, people are divided regarding what stance to take on capital punishment.

Each side has a set of values that are defended on the grounds of capital punishment. Those who are for capital punishment defend their own sense of closure, as they believe that someone who kills another who is important to them deserves to die. This coincides with the Old Testament teaching of "An eye for an eye". They want to know that the criminal is paying the consequences for their crimes. They feel justified knowing that the incident can finally be put to rest.

Those against capital punishment defend the values of the human life, regardless of what crimes they have committed. These people realize that human life is not just something that could be easily taken away. They realize that life transcends beyond what a person has committed. They also realize that revenge isn't the way to go. Rather, forgiveness is the true path the victims should take.

To stop the effects of violent crimes, I believe that society has to change the way they react to someone who has wronged them. Many people, 75%, believe that the death penalty is the proper way to handle a criminal. However, what is solved when you fight fire with fire? Nothing, civilization is burned to the ground until someone decides to simmer down the fire with water.

I believe that it is impossible for the death penalty to rehabilitate criminals because they are never given a second chance in society. Once they commit a malicious act, their chance at life is over, no question. They receive no second chance, and they are just left in the dust. People don't realize that no matter how malicious an act is, the person is still a person, and all values of human life still apply to them. Just like the rest of us, these people deserved to be cared for.

Catholic teaching states that "Bloodless means should be used wherever they are enough to protect the common good". Upon inspecting the death penalty, this statement is rendered true. Catholics should always try to forgive others, rather than to seek revenge. Christ taught us to forgive. If Christ can forgive those who killed them, they we can find it in ourselves to forgive those who have hurt us themselves.