RS - Capital Punishment

?
  • Created by: radz_star
  • Created on: 16-04-14 15:47

Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment - the practice of executing someone as punishment for a specific crime after a proper legal trial.

Used in 90 countries. 

UK banned in 1965. 

Only be used by state. 

Serious crimes: murder, ****, adultery, fraud.

Methods used: hanging, electricution, firing squad, gas chamber, hanging, lethal injection, stoning

1 of 5

For Capital Punishment - Christian View

Christian View - Baptists and Orthodox Churches are for CP

Baptist - believe it is fair to use CP if the crime has resulted in death. Given fairly, and with vigilance.

"God has vestes in the civil magistrate the responsibily of protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty" (Romans 13:1-3).

Orthodox - belve it is right because both New and Old Testaments say so. Both say murder calls for death of murdered if it is truly murder.

"Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man" (Genesis 9:6 old) 

Civil rulers are the ministers of God, and the sword is the symbol of their authority.(Romans 13:1-7 new) 

2 of 5

For Capital Punishment - Muslim View

Islam - Sharia's Law 

·         Intentional murder: In these cases the victim's family is given the option as to whether or not to insist on a punishment of this severity

·         Fasad fil-ardh ('spreading mischief in the land'): Islam permits the death penalty for anyone who threatens to undermine authority or destabilise the state. 

E.g Treason, Terrorism, Piracy of any kind, ****, Adultery, Homosexual Activity

 "...If anyone kills a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all people. And if anyone saves a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all people" (Qur'an 5:32).

"...Take not life, which God has made sacred, except by way of justice and law. Thus does He command you, so that you may learn wisdom" (Qur'an 6:151).

3 of 5

Against Capital Punishment - Christian View

Chrstian View - Quakers and Methodists are against CP

Quakers - believe in peace as an approach to living in the world. Use of violence to bring change may create temporary good, but also increases the chance of violence becoming permanent. Believe their is God in everyine including criminals. Justice and Forgiveness. 

"In light of the world of God, and thus of faith, life - all human life - is sacred and untouchable. No matter how heinous the crime...(the criminal) does not lose his fundamental right to life, for it is primorordial, inviolable and inalienable, and thus comes under the power of no one whatsoever" - Father Gino Concetti 1977

Methodists - believe CP denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. All human life is sacred, and created by God. Repentance. 

4 of 5

Against Capital Punishment - Secular View

Secular (non-religious) View 

  • Ultimate denial of rights
  • Cold-blooded killing 
  • Supposedly done in the name of justice
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights says "No one shall be subjected to torure or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment"
  • Governments actively promote CP - vital, deters criminals
  • Offers society further horror
  • Execution takes an extreme mental assult on an individual. 
  • Physical pain 
  • Psycological suffering 
  • Denies possibility of rehabilitation and reconciliation
5 of 5

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Religious Studies resources:

See all Religious Studies resources »See all Crime and Punishment resources »