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Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYzrdn7YLCM. Amnesty International is a well known organization that campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty and other human rights. The Death Penalty Worldwide – Where is it Used?. Dark blue = abolitionist.

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Capital Punishment

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  1. Capital Punishment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYzrdn7YLCM Amnesty International is a well known organization that campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty and other human rights

  2. The Death Penalty Worldwide – Where is it Used? Dark blue = abolitionist Brown = DP only for times of war Orange = DP for adult offenders Red = DP for adult and juvenile offenders Light blue = no DP in 10 yrs

  3. Where Countries Stand Total abolitionist (get rid of it) in law or practice: 140 • for all crimes: 97 • for ordinary crimes only: 8 • in practice: 35 Retentionist (keep it): 58 • Top five executors in 2011: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the USA

  4. The Death Penalty in the US DP jurisdictions: 33 states, federal govt., military

  5. The Death Penalty in the US

  6. US Death Sentences Source: Death Penalty Information Center

  7. US Executions Source: Death Penalty Information Center

  8. B) THE impact of murder Murder’s Impact, Society’s Needs • About 17,000 are murdered/year in the US • Each murder violates the right to life • Murder is cruel and inhuman • Each murder damages many lives • Society has a duty to provide public safety • Perpetrators must be held accountable • Victims’ communities have a right to justice and support

  9. What have you heard? C) JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE DEATH PENALTY • It’s justice: “eye for an eye” (retribution) • It brings closure for the victim’s family • It’s less expensive than permanent imprisonment • It deters murder • It shows society’s disgust for the crime • It prevents offenders from murdering again • Some crimes require the “ultimate penalty”

  10. d) THE CASE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY Human Rights Violated Twice Rather than upholding society’s highest values, the death penalty imitates the crime it condemns. • Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person • No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 3, 5) 2 wrongs don’t make 1 right!

  11. System Failure Wrongful Convictions • 140 people have been released from death row due to evidence of their innocence since 1973 (including one in 2012). Source: Death Penalty Information Center

  12. e) Yes, There is a Better Way! 1) Alternative View • It’s less expensive than permanent imprisonment • It deters murder • It prevents offenders from murdering again • It shows society’s disgust for the crime • Some crimes require the “ultimate penalty” • It’s justice – just deserts, “eye for an eye” (retribution) • It brings closure for the victim’s family

  13. 3) Preventing Murder How would you spend tens of millions of $/year ? Prevention policy: violence, drug/alcohol abuse, treatment for the mentally ill Public Safety: resources for community policing and other social services Police Chiefs Poll

  14. 2) What needs are created by murder? Victims/loved ones: • psychological services (anger, grief, depression) • financial support (possible loss to family income) • information about the crime/perpetrator • accountability of the offender • sense of concrete pro-active steps (safety, prevention) • restoration of control/power Offenders: • opportunity for accountability, remorse, restitution, rehabilitation Community: • protection from the offender • sense of safety and justice • education

  15. Christian viewpoint on Death Penalty 1) Forgive – “two way street” 2) Justice should be treated fairly to all 3) We shall have mercy on others 4) Ultimately God will judge people on judgment day

  16. Agape • Is Christian love. Jesus taught that love of God includes loving your neighbor as yourself. Christians must act out of conditional love in every action they take. The death penalty breaks our loving relationship with God. We hurt God through the wrongful ways we treat others.

  17. The Golden Rule • Do to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:31) • The death penalty breaks this rule of how we should treat others. There is no forgiveness or love in this form of punishment.

  18. “Thou Shall Not Kill” • Only God can judge and decide when life is over. • To take life away breaks one of the 10 commandments • Sin cannot replace Sin – cycle of sinners that fills our society

  19. Debate – Remember the Rule(s) - RESPECT

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