Should the Death Penalty be Abolished?
Society has always used punishment as a way to deter crime. Murder is what society has the biggest interest in preventing. The death penalty is the strongest punishment available to deter murder. The idea being that if there is the fear of losing one’s own life than a would-be murderer might think twice about taking someone else’s life. Edward Koch said, “It is by exacting the highest penalty for the taking of human life that we affirm the highest value of human life”. (Koch, 1985)
Imprisonment alone does not stop some who would murder. It is not a deterrent only an inconvenience. Criminal law is meant to protect victims or potential victims. Even the Bible advocates the death penalty. Leviticus 24:17 says, ‘If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death’. (New American Standard Bible) Ask any victim how they feel and the majority will say they are for the death penalty.
There are two lives to consider in a crime, the criminal and the victim. There is more “press” put on the criminal and the debate of the punishment that would fit the crime. Not enough “press” is given to the victims of the crime or to the victims families and the suffering or costs they are enduring. The victim of a murder does not get to live a full life; they do not get a second chance at anything. The criminal continues to live, and appeal the case against him/her.
What is the difference between going to war and killing in order to defend a countries right to live in peace without worry of slaughter and applying the death penalty to a murderer in order to give others the right to live in peace? Protecting the rights of a group of people is of the utmost importance. Capital punishment is not excessive or unnecessary when someone knowingly commits murder. True justice requires punishing the guilty. I take my stand for keeping the death penalty.
There are several arguments to defend the abolishment of the death penalty....