by Jugal Gogoi
DEFINITION:
“Death penalty is the practice of sentencing a person to death as an obligation of the court ordered imposition, considered as a punishment to the crime committed. Death penalty is also recognized by the titles Capital punishment, execution, executing death sentence or sentence to death. Capital punishment is believed to have originated from Latin capitallis (pertaining to head) and death penalty was just severing of head in the ancient days.”[1]
METHODS OF EXECUTION[2]
Through out the history there have been various methods of executing death penalty to the criminals. But here are ten of the methods that are currently in use worldwide.
Lethal Injection: IV tubes are inserted in to his arms of the criminal and then a saline solution is fed through the tubes. Usually three types of slutions—high dose of surgical anesthesia called Sodium thiopental, a muscle relaxant called pavulon, and a toxic agent called potassium chloride—death takes place within a minute.
The Electric Chair: First a very high volt of current (over 2000 volts) is applied to cause unconsciousness and to stop heart and then in a fraction of seconds the second current of about 8 amps will be applied to destroy the internal organs. It takes hardly a few seconds for the person to die.
Gas Chamber: First the prisoner is sealed into a airtight chamber and then they insert sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and cyanide pellets. As a result of the chemical reaction between these both lethal hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas is generated and the prisoner dies a very painful death.
Single Person Shooting: This is one of the most common methods of execution where the prisoner is shot by a single bullet by one single executioner.
Firing Squad: A group of firing squad fire bullets into the heart of the prisoner and within no time the person is dead.
Hanging: Hanging is carried out in a variety of ways: the short drop is when the prisoner is made to stand on an object which is then thrust away – leaving them to die by strangulation… Suspension hanging (very popular in Iran) is when the gallows itself is movable. The prisoner stands on the ground with the noose around their neck and the gallows is then lifted in to the air, taking the prisoner with it.
Beheading: This is most common method in Islamic countries. The most frequently seen cases involve beheading by a curved, single-edged sword. The sentence is normally carried out on a Friday night in public outside the main mosque of the city after prayers. The penalty can be dealt for rape, murder, drug related crimes, and apostasy (rejection of religious beliefs).
Guillotine: The device itself is a large timber frame with a space at the bottom for the neck of the prisoner. At the top of the machine is a large angled blade. Once the prisoner is secured, the blade is dropped, severing the head and bringing about immediate death.
Stoning: Stoning to death is when a person’s movements are restricted and an organized group throws stones at them until dead. Under Islamic Sharia law, stoning is an acceptable method of execution and it is used in many Islamic nations.
Garrote: The garrote is a device that strangles a person to death. It normally consisted of a seat in which the prisoner is restrained while the executioner tightens a metal band around his neck until he dies.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?
If we look for the origin in the Bible we will see that God is the one who instituted capital punishment. One clear reference is Genesis 9:6 where God said, “Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” And the whole Old Testament is full of verses where God clearly requires death penalty—like Exodus 21:12-14; Leviticus 24:17,21, Exodus 21:15,17, Deuteronomy 21:18-21, Exodus 21:16, Exodus 21:28-29, Deuteronomy 13:5, 1 Samuel 28:9, Leviticus 20:2-5 so on and so forth. Many would like to say that the commandment mentioned Exodus 20:13 is prohibition against capital punishment. But if we look at the context, that argument is not convincing at all.
In the New Testament Jesus said that he came to the earth not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (or to reinforce it). In many of the verses in the New Testament we see Jesus prohibiting murder - like Matthew 5:38-41, Luke 9:52-56, Matthew 7:1-5 etc. But for these all verses, the context was not capital punishment but rather was more on personal revenge. Many would say that Jesus' showing mercy to the adulterous woman in John 8:3-11 is a proof that Jesus is against capital punishment. But the context clearly indicates that it is not a convincing argument as well. And moreover, this section of the Gospel is not found in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts.
“There is no clear mandate in the Bible either for or against capital punishment. The Old Testament Law prescribed the death penalty for an extensive list of crimes, many of which are considered minor today. Based on New Testament teachings, the moral aspects of the Old Testament law still apply to Christians, but the ceremonial and legal aspects do not. The general principles taught by Jesus and His disciples oppose any kind of revenge, but there is no specific teaching against capital punishment.”[3]
Here are a couple of questions for us to think about—
- The question rises—Do we (human beings) have any right to decide who needs to live and who does not? Can we take the life of another person no matter how grievous crime he/she has committed?
- What are the benefits of the capital punishment? Are there not more cons than the pros? How about some alternative punishments (life imprisonment) that would not allow the person to commit crimes again?
- What if capital punishment is commanded in the religious holy scriptures of a particular religion (like Sharia law in Muslim religion etc.)? Shouldn’t the religion be the highest standard of morality for them?
- If at all capital punishment is allowed in a country, what all boundaries should be set in order for it to be less questionable? What should be the measuring scale (like number or degree of crime) for determining a criminal worthy of this punishment?
- How should we care about or treat the families (at least the immediate family members) of the criminals who were executed through capital punishment? Should the government provide some special privileges to them?
DEAR FRIENDS, IT WOULD BE A GREAT FAVOR IF YOU KINDLY POST YOUR VALUABLE COMMENTS BELOW? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
[1] Ramya Sadasivam, “Death Penalty and Its Related
Ethical Issues,” The Pleasure Painting, http://ramyawrites.com/2010/05/07/death-penalty-and-its-related-ethical-issues/
(access August 6, 2013).
[2] Jamie Frater, “Top 10 Modern Methods of Execution,”
Listverse, http://listverse.com/2007/09/18/top-10-modern-methods-of-execution/ (access
August 6, 2013).
[3] “What Does the Bible Say About
Capital Punishment and the Death Penalty?,” The Christian Bible Reference Site,
http://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_CapitalPunishment.htm (accessed August
6, 2013).
This is a very big ethical issues in today's world. To maintain the law, role and regulations of the nations in it's own stander it is very necessary for government to have capital punishments. But there are time that real culprit is not getting the punishment the way he/she suppose to get. so that is the most hardest time for the families of the victims. so to give justices to the victim. i can not disagree from Genesis 9:6. i will strongly support the capital punishment for the right person who is worthy of the capital punishment.
ReplyDeleteyour sentence "God is the one who instituted capital punishment" ???? I think it has to do with how you perceive the Biblical texts. I do not think God commanded us to have capital punishment. That was in the Old Testament. But we are living in the New Testament world. Jesus strictly prohibits capital punishment. All the countries of the world should stop this inhuman practice.
ReplyDeletewe have no right to take the life from others. But we should control those who are destroying other's life. Even if a person does the worst crime, we are not supposed to kill him. We can not take the place of God. He is the only one who can take and give life to a person. We should stop capital punishment. Let God be the judge.
ReplyDeleteTough topic. The purpose of capital punishment seems to be so convincing... Because it serves the greater benefit for people- i.e removing/ stopping the criminal not be able to continue the misbehavior that affected other people even up to the death of others. We all acknowledge that we have no right to take someone's life. God has only the authority to do it. But some of the OT passages (as you also mentioned) are difficult to understand as the Jews were allowed to practice "Capital punishment" (like stoning to death). In today's society, the government (for example India) still endorses capital punishment. But comparing the Old Testament "capital punishment" with today's capital punishment, seems today one is more acceptable in terms of the "severity." When we all know God, then we will let God be the judge rather than we do as He is the source of our lives. He gave it and He alone can take it.
ReplyDeleteThis ethical can be divided into two views: The first one is secular. In secular point of view any government need to frame certain laws to protect and smooth functioning of their government. Any crime committed against that law will be punish according the laws of the land.Some time capital punishment is quite necessary to show an exemplary punishment to those who are who raising war against the nation or committing crime inhuman ways.
ReplyDeleteThe second view is Bible view: we may quote so many verses from the OT to justified our claim but one must not forget how the Lord lead his people from the beginning of His creation. In short, the way how He led his people in the OT and NT is very different. That is why He had given us a new commandment. otherwise, there is no reason to give us a new commandment. In OT God allow His people to fight, killed and occupy the land. but this is a spiritual example for the NT covenant children. Spiritual warfare, fight Satan, destroyed the enemies and build God's kingdom. Therefore, he had given us a new commandment which is base on love and forgiveness and no room has given to killed and take others lives. Life is given by God and He alone has authority and rights to take back. Thanks and God bless your brother Jugal Gogoi
nowadays,, people are getting worse why? because of too much freedom. freedom that unleash their wrong behaviour as an individual. They wont be able to discipline their self. That death penalty is just okay for me. God anointed our ruler to decree rules/ law that will definitely discipline them. it is neccessary for each one of us. we nedd it so that we could have disciple and so that those criminals will never do the same thing as what iother criminals are doing before. and also i would say That if this death penalty imposed. people will not do any crime at all and they will be decreased( crimes and violations of rules.) Philippines...concerns.
ReplyDeleteI think the issue you raised is very important . Capital punishment is a part of social control. But it is an issue because it takes some one's life. In response to your question, I think, there is no rights that a man can take life of another person. The authority of Taking life and giving life holds only our God, who created lives.
ReplyDeleteYour argument: "There is no clear mandate in the Bible either for or against capital punishment." is easily debunked by Genesis 2:17. The Christian god imposed death on Adam and Eve's sin.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question no. 3: Shouldn’t the religion be the highest standard of morality for them?
No. Religion is not the highest form of morality and it shouldn't be so. If we were to emulate a god's way of settling disputes and administering justice: people would either be turned to a pillar of salt (which by the way was very UNJUST for the 'crime' committed), be hailed by fire and brimstone, our first born children killed, etc etc.
For ease of reference: Genesis 2:17 your god says: "You shall sure DIE".
It depends upon the context and circumstances in which the severity of crime is committed. In Matthew 26:52 it is written....... for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. On the surface it is very easy to say that capital punishment is evil but when it comes to real situation we have to admit that it is right.
ReplyDeleteTo me the problem seems complicated when a Christian nation implements this law but as Jesus said in Mark 12:17 "And Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Indeed it is wrong for a man to take a man's life as Bible has mention but since Bible is silent in referring to the Government capital punishment. I will simply conclude in the eyes of God these two might have different responsibility in terms of taking a man's life. Perhaps the capital punishment is the government responsibility and killing a man is the individual responsibility which is considered as wrong according to the teaching of the Bible.
ReplyDeleteBrother i appreciate your hard work, I think most of the country do not exercise this capital punishment because of human right. your country India also not exercising Death penalty since 5 years. the culprit must bear the consequences by putting them life imprison. there he can realize what he deed is wrong. if God happen to deal with us according to what we deed, can we survive? that is why He said forgive and love them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the valuable comment. I totally agree with you. We must forgive one another in a personal and community level, that is what Jesus commanded. But I am still looking for a strong biblical ground to say that Bible forbids capital punishment where it commands the government to stop death penalty. Well, about India, death penalty is still practiced. Very recently, they executed a terrorist who killed hundreds of innocent people in Mumbai and destroyed billions of Dollars worth of corporate property. He was unrepentant until His last breath. Although I don't personally support death penalty, this was something that caught me. Seeing hundreds of innocent people losing their lives and many families losing their dear ones. How do you respond to that? I know life imprisonment can be the second option. But think about the scenario where the government has to spend a huge amount of money to keep these kinds of dangerous criminals in the prison because anytime there is a threat that he will be rescued. And moreover this terrorist keeps saying that once he gets out of the jail he would destroy the whole nation. What do you do? just a thought to ponder...
ReplyDeleteGod is the one who commanded in Old Testament and it is not clearly forbidden in the Bible. But God is the God of justice and he knows how to deal with the guilty, if there is no law and order in the land crime prevails. It is also providing protection for the people to live in freedom without having fear.
ReplyDeleteon the other hand, there are options of paying substitutionary price for the accidental killing and death. Place for refuge for the murderer until the justice done and protection for innocent from the revenge as well as the proper investigation of facts and details before passing the fair judgment on the murderer for capital punishment. But now capital punishment is there but not such kind of protection and security available and the investigations are also not done properly and fairly from the institutions of law and order. It should be without bias and in haste. Within these conditions it is hard to say that capital punishment should be allowed or implemented. On the other hand governments catch the terrorists while committing the act of killing but still terrorists came out of the prison without any charge. May lord have mercy on our justice system. Thanks for bringing this issue in discussion.