Capital punishment is accepted by the Catholic Church in countries that cannot "hold" criminals accordingly. However, in the United States, the Church strongly opposes it. Are there any religious faiths that allow (are pro-death penalty) in the United States. I read somewhere that quite a few Protestant denominations permit the death penalty in the US. What religions in the United States, according to their doctrine, permit the death penalty? Thanks.
El Guapo2010-03-09T11:57:53Z
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From a Christian perspective, you can find Biblical support for either side if you look hard enough (as is true with most topics).
Shakespeare once wrote, “the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”
That said, there are many passages in the Old Testament that support capital punishment, often for relatively mild offenses:
- Adultery (Leviticus 20:10) - Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16) - Breaking the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14 & 15) - Disobedient children (Exodus 21:15 & 17; Leviticus 20:9) - Homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13) - Not being a virgin on your wedding night (but only if you're a woman - Deuteronomy 22:20-21)
The New Testament (starring Jesus) is primarily ANTI-death penalty. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus praises mercy (Matthew 5:7) and rejects “an eye for an eye” (Matthew 5:38-39). James 4:12 says that GOD is the only one who can take a life in the name of justice. Romans 12:17-21 warns us against answering evil with evil, and assures us that God will see to justice in the afterlife. In John 8:7, Jesus points out that all humans are imperfect, and therefore unqualified to decide whether someone lives or dies.
There are many, many practical problems with capital punishment (that I won't get into here), but purely from a moral standpoint, it is pretty clear that Jesus did not support it. True CHRISTians shouldn’t, either.
I think it would be more the attitude of people than the strictness in which they practice. It is the same with religion as with anything else in life when it comes to how we approach people, and whether or not we make a difference or turn them off completely by what we are saying. Those who genuinely want to see another person do right will show it in a way that makes a person think, and consider their words with importance. But if judgement is more important than seeing the other person do right, it's not likely the other person will take notice, and much more likely they will want nothing to do with the advice. It is the difference between your best friend coming to you and telling you she is worried about you, or yelling at you and calling you an idiot. It is usually only the first example that causes us to listen, and the second which has us turning our back. Perfection isn't the problem. It's a good goal to have, even if unreachable. It's just that people need to understand it takes kindness and respect to show someone that it is a goal worth striving for.
The best place to find out about this is at http://www.religioustolerance.org/execut7.htm You'll find the positions of most of the world's major religions there.
My own view is that anyone who believes in any religion has to know that human beings are fallible and that any system set up and run by them is bound to get it wrong some of the time. And the death penalty system buries its worst mistakes.
"Permit" is not the best word here as the government decides such things - not the church. Maybe "endorse" would be better. I know of no such endorsements however. It is typically a personal view. Certainly there are both Christians and non-Christians on both sides of the fence. As for me, I do not endorse/support the death penalty. Neither did Jesus. That's why I don't.
I can see to some how a murderer would be double punished by capital punishment, both by being killed and by being judged in their belief and sent to hell.
And quite a few Conservative Protestant Churches are pro-death penalty.