The Death Penalty Is a Step Back

The Death Penalty Is a Step Back

  • Submitted By: swyatt1984
  • Date Submitted: 05/10/2010 8:29 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 830
  • Page: 4
  • Views: 667

Shaakira Wyatt
02-22-2010

"Yes, The Death Penalty is a Step Back"
To recommend the death penalty instead of life imprisonment is inhumane. My outlook on the death penalty determinations coincide with Coretta Scott Kings argument stating the death penalty is a step back. First, sentencing violates the Eighth Amendment in the Bill of Rights. Secondly, since the biblical times it has been said to be morally wrong and against Christianity. Lastly, the death penalty is injustice, primarily towards the black minority.
Coretta Kings' thesis in her argument declared, "In recent years, an increase of violence in America, both individual and political, has prompted a backlash of public opinion on capital punishment. But however, much we abhor violence, legally sanctioned executions are no deterrent and are, in fact immoral and unconstitutional." There are several reasons why capital punishment is immoral and unconstitutional. Capital punishment resulting in death is an inhumane treatment of criminals and violates the constitutional guidelines in The Bill of Rights. According to the Eighth Amendment cruel and unusual punishments are prohibited in the States. Simply, this amendment is indicating no crime is too severe or serious enough to recommend a sentencing that ends a life.
There was a case called Furman vs. Georgia where an argument over whether or not the death penalty go against the Eight and Fourteenth Amendment. Furman vs. Georgia persuaded five justices that the procedures in the sentencing for death in every state, that had it, violated the Amendments. However, the argument did not win over the court.
The practices of killing for punishment has been around since the biblical times with Jesus being executed. It was corrupt then and is corrupt now. Christians should not morally...

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