Great post, it always intrigues me that people repeat the same arguments for the death penalty, no matter how many times they have been debunked. I remember Mike Pence when he was running for president saying he agreed with the death penalty for mass shooters because he believed in the deterrent factor, RIGHT after being explained why it wouldn't actually be a deterrent. So sadly this isn't just an average person problem, but those in positions of power who can influence legislation, make these seem tired arguments.
A while back, I wrote against the death penalty for a college presentation and I've been thinking about making a post on it (with some modifications obviously.) If I do, I would definitely go over a lot the points you've mentioned here.
Especially this paragraph - “For every verse that might seem to support capital punishment, there’s another that advocates mercy, forgiveness, and the sanctity of life. Scripture has been used throughout history to justify both compassion and cruelty. That tells us more about the interpreter than the text itself.”
The question is what to do with the worst of the worst? Do we want too, or think we can rehabilitate say an Osama Bin Laden type? Or what about the El Salvador Cecot prison, 65 criminals, all in the same cell, their President calls them animals, and his Minister said when they leave the prison it will be in a box. That prison and they’re approach has freed that country from being run by gangs. Sometimes family members affected by a murderer forgive the felon, others say you’ll change your mind about justice if it happens to you. In any event, punishment as a broader topic of justice might be a topic for you to do a story on? I might look at this too. Great article, you covered the key angles and offered your perspective.
Great post. Additionally, even if 1% of executed people are innocent, that is too high and invalidates the entire system. Any humans murdered mistakenly or unjustly negates any validity of justice.
Albert Pierrepoint was Britain's most prolific hangman.
Responsible for the execution of between 400 to 600 people, some later pardoned, he stated in his biography that the death penalty isn't a deterrent and that he was against the death penalty.
If the penalty for killing someone is to be killed, then the state becomes no different from the person they're killing. Calling it an execution doesn't change what it is.
Great post, it always intrigues me that people repeat the same arguments for the death penalty, no matter how many times they have been debunked. I remember Mike Pence when he was running for president saying he agreed with the death penalty for mass shooters because he believed in the deterrent factor, RIGHT after being explained why it wouldn't actually be a deterrent. So sadly this isn't just an average person problem, but those in positions of power who can influence legislation, make these seem tired arguments.
A while back, I wrote against the death penalty for a college presentation and I've been thinking about making a post on it (with some modifications obviously.) If I do, I would definitely go over a lot the points you've mentioned here.
if you're wondering where i got the Mike Pence story from, and want to see it for yourself, it was during his 2023 CNN town hall.
Love this, Emil!
Especially this paragraph - “For every verse that might seem to support capital punishment, there’s another that advocates mercy, forgiveness, and the sanctity of life. Scripture has been used throughout history to justify both compassion and cruelty. That tells us more about the interpreter than the text itself.”
A-freaking men.
I love it
The question is what to do with the worst of the worst? Do we want too, or think we can rehabilitate say an Osama Bin Laden type? Or what about the El Salvador Cecot prison, 65 criminals, all in the same cell, their President calls them animals, and his Minister said when they leave the prison it will be in a box. That prison and they’re approach has freed that country from being run by gangs. Sometimes family members affected by a murderer forgive the felon, others say you’ll change your mind about justice if it happens to you. In any event, punishment as a broader topic of justice might be a topic for you to do a story on? I might look at this too. Great article, you covered the key angles and offered your perspective.
Great post. Additionally, even if 1% of executed people are innocent, that is too high and invalidates the entire system. Any humans murdered mistakenly or unjustly negates any validity of justice.
Albert Pierrepoint was Britain's most prolific hangman.
Responsible for the execution of between 400 to 600 people, some later pardoned, he stated in his biography that the death penalty isn't a deterrent and that he was against the death penalty.
If the penalty for killing someone is to be killed, then the state becomes no different from the person they're killing. Calling it an execution doesn't change what it is.
This Is different