Death Penalty

[Born_in_Crewe]

If the murdered person was someone in your own family, you might have a different view.

I had two innocent family members murdered. And the murderer is walking the streets today.

That is very sad

But they will be punished by God one day - it just might not be much consolation now. I'm a believer that if God is just he must punish all sin by unsaved people to the appropriate level and therefore some people will be punished to a greater degree than others.

 

[Sgt. Fury]

Missed this one while I was out.

Act 25:11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

Here's an inspired apostle in favor of the death penalty, even if it applies to himself.

Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

They weren't slapping people on the hand with those swords...

Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

This predates the Mosaic Law, which in my view makes it an eternal principle.

Ecc 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

This is why the death penalty is not more effective in discouraging people to commit capitol crimes.

 

[BobRyan]

On the whole I would say No. I think life-long imprisonment is a much less gruesome punishment.

At any rate, the murderers will be punished severely after death, unless they are born again. So they won't really get away with it, .

In Gen 8 God says that if a person slays another person - then "by man he must be slain". God never says "the punishment for murder is prison until you slowly age to death".

in Christ,

Bob

 

[Predestined]

My 19 year old son was murdered three weeks ago......shot in cold blood. I have always been in favor of the death penality..........given our justice system, my son's murderer will likely not see that.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

I am so sorry Predestined. You and your family have my deepest condolences. I cannot imagine what you are going through, but I can pray for you.

God bless you,
§ue

 

[standingfirminChrist]

I also am praying. Having gone through this last year, I know the pain you are going through.

May God strengthen and comfort you.

 

[Predestined]

Thank you both........both my wife and I have never experienced such intense pain......we never knew anything could be so painful. This has my wife questioning her faith at times.......for me, the only comfort I have is that my son had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ........I'll see him again.......can't be soon enough.

 

[BobRyan]

I too am very sorry to hear about your loss. How wonderful it will be when Christ comes and ends all of this sin and suffering. How great it will be to see our family once again. Thank God that your son is saved - but I truly can not imagine - no not even remotely - the pain of losing a child like that. A close friend lost a teenage daughter in a drowning accident and there too I saw something that I can not really understand - it is like looking over a cliff into a deep dark pit - I shudder and step away. I can not think about it.

In Christ,

Bob

 

[BobRyan]

I am truly sorry for your loss, SFIC, however I think that you don't teach a child not to hit by hitting him; nor do you stop killers by the state killing. It puts the US in a class with countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia. Most civilized nations have outlawed the death penalty, and we should follow.

Usually, murders are crimes of passion. The perpetrator isn't thinking, "Hmmm...if I kill, I will be executed." The thought doesn't cross their mind in most cases, IMO. There are such vile people that they will never be reformed. However, state sponsored murder is still wrong. And with DNA evidence proving innocence of many on death row, I also think we convict too many who are not guilty. Even when DNA shows the person didn't do it, zealous prosecutors sometimes just don't want to give it up, and work to deny DNA testing where evidence is available. Shameful.

First of all - Iran also punishes theft with imprisonment -- so do we.
Are we "Iran"??

Gen 9

5 "Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man's brother I will require the life of man.
6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.

Is God the God of "Iran"?

(also note that God's law in Gen 9 presumes that one accepts God's Word in Gen 1 - 2:3 regarding creationism)

Benefits of capital punishment.

1. No repeat murder by those who murder once (as SFIC points out) then are let out to possibly "murder again".
2. No murders in prison comitted by "lifers who have nothing to lose"
3. No murder gangs in prison headed by those who "have nothing to lose"
4. No state funded retirement program - all expenses paid - for murderers.
5. Would-be murderers have "something to think about"

in Christ,

Bob

 

[trustitl]

Should Christians be in favor of the death penalty. Why or why not? And can you support it by scripture?

This was the original question.

Some have used this as an opportunity to show that this was a part of the law and therefore we should support it.
Some have shown how God told Noah "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" to say a Christian should support it.

Others have pointed out how it keeps murderers from killing again.

None of these in my opinion say a Christian should support it.

I support the death penalty because the government that God has ordained supports it and my conscience allows me to. I fully understand how a brother in the Lord could be against it and still accept the Word of God to be true.

Sadly, most people opposed to it here use the same reasoning as the typical worldly arguments against it.

 

[Sgt. Fury]

How dare you actually refer back to the OP when we were all in the middle of our rants!:laugh:

Seriously though, this is an issue that affects some more than others due to what they've suffered personally. Our hearts reach out to those who have lost loved ones to a murderer.

But as to whether a Christian should favor the death penalty or not, I don't think most would want anyone to be put to death. However, from what the Bible says about it, I'd say that it is a just penalty for some crimes. I favor the death penalty in the sense that I favor the will of God being done.

 

[David Michael Harris]

Should Christians be in favor of the death penalty. Why or why not? And can you support it by scripture?

Question should be, should Christians vote.

I abstain, maybe I am wrong, someone please put me right if they can!

David

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke