Death Penalty: Is it worth it?

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Death Penalty: Is it worth it? Capital punishment has been used throughout history. The severity of the crime has varied in this country and many other countries in which the death penalty has been carried out. We assume that the fear of receiving punishment or justice will deter murder. The fact is there isn't any reason to keep the death penalty. The reason death penalty is used instead of just life in prison is said to be a means to deter the criminal actions. Evidence shows that it doesn't deter the crime but actually is increased. The cost of trial, conviction, and ultimately carry out a death sentence costs substantially more then to keep a criminal for life in the penitentiary without the possibility of parole. Is it morally correct to sentence someone to death even though they committed the most heinous of crimes? No matter what crime has been committed, killing is wrong. A few points to consider are, death row inmates stay in prison, on average, 18 years before the action of being put to death is enforced. Sentencing a person to death is irreversible. 25 people have been wrongfully put to death since the start of this century alone. Anything that involved even one error like this is unacceptable. Executions add to the glorification of violence that exists already too much in our society. It dehumanizes us; it legitimates murder; it leads to the loss of civilized society. No other major democracy uses the death penalty. No other major democracy in fact few other countries of any description are plagued by a murder rate such as that in the United States. The abolition of the death penalty is envisioned as desirable under international law and has become an unstoppable reality all around the world over the past few decade... ... middle of paper ... ...ely, but not with death. In the book Exodus chapter two verses eleven through twelve, Moses kills an Egyptian for striking a Hebrew, covers up his crime, and flees when he learns that the Pharaoh seeks to execute him. Many years later God takes this exiled murderer and transforms him into the liberator of the Hebrews. Instead of executing him, God makes Moses an instrument of saving justice. Matthew 6:12-15 makes it clear that forgiveness is not optional for those who follow Jesus. In the only prayer Jesus ever taught his disciples we beg God to "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, "knowing that our failure to forgive renders us unfit for the reign of God."For if you forgive others the wrongs they have done, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done

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