Capital Punishment

Life is a precious gift from God. Even when a person has no material possessions, life will still be possessed. In light of these observations it is logical to believe that murder, the taking of another person's life, is the most extreme of crimes. Penalties given to criminals should match the crimes committed. Therefore, the worst crime possible, murder, should receive the worst penalty possible, death.

One argument against the death penalty is the Bible tells us not to commit murder. Murder, by definition, is the unlawful killing of one human being by another. The death penalty is the lawful execution of a human being after a trial by peers. So by definition the death penalty is not murder, but justice. Furthermore, former US Government official Ed Koch stated, "the execution of a lawfully condemned killer is no more an act of murder than is legal imprisonment an act of kidnapping"(Time). Finally, the same Bible that condemns murder also teaches "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". This statement should be revised to include a life for a life.

It is argued, the death penalty should be banned in order to prevent the execution of innocent individuals unjustly convicted of capital murder. Statistically this has occurred; however, given the lengthy appeals process, all but few ultimately die, innocent or guilty. The above statistic applies to all crimes, from theft to kidnapping. Even with shortcomings in the judicial system, everyone that commits a crime should be punished. Obviously, society could not function within a system without law enforcement; because where there is no law, there is anarchy and chaos.

Some argue that death is too good for capital offenders. This position favors inhumane and unlawful disciplinary actions such as torture and life imprisonment. Though some think it not harsh enough, the death penalty delivers justice quickly and efficiently. Capital punishment is more humane than life imprisonment. For example, a murderer sentenced to life must endure the remainder of his existence imprisoned, which is a type of torture. On the other hand, a murderer sentenced to death is executed and the punishment is final.

Finally, people argue that punishing violence with violence is not civil or effective. This view is correct; however, in the case of the death penalty, violence is not being committed. Violence is the use of excessive force in order to intimidate