Life and the Death Penalty

Life and the Death Penalty

Does the death penalty support the value of life? The death penalty has been utilized as a form of punishment for serious crimes since there was a division of people on social levels. According to the National Library of Crime in the article “Origins of Capital Punishment”, there are records that indicate its existence as early as 1760 BC. (1) During this time, the methods that carried out the death penalty included hanging, beheading, and being crushed by an elephant. These were intentionally tortuous methods to punish those who did wrong. Since the beginning, people started developing opposition to these methods of punishment saying that they were cruel and unusual. Therefore, this led to changes being made to the manner of punishment. The methods that delivered more immediate results were implemented. Changes were also made to the constitution on several occasions in an attempt to address capital punishment. These changes in historical records indicate that the death penalty has been a topic of controversy since early times. As a matter of fact, these controversies still persist today. Despite the death penalty being a topic of debate, it should be implemented to show its support for the value of life.

First of all, the death penalty carries out actions that support the morals of society. If someone commits a crime that is considered severe, then they justifiably deserve punishment of the same level of severity. The severity of the crime should determine the punishment. (Riley 2) One would not reward someone for doing wrong. Living life is a privilege and a reward. Allowing someone to walk the earth after they have taken the life of someone else is against all morals of society. ...

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...www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/origins-of-capital-punishment

Potter, Gary, Ph.D. "Crime Control and the Death Penalty." Crime Control and the Death Penalty. The Advocate, Nov. 1997. Web. 03 Mar. 2014. .

Riley, Dr. Jim L., Ph.D. "The Death Penalty Justified." The Death Penalty Justified. N.p., 2001. Web. 2 Mar. 2014.

Stewart, Gail B. "The Death Penalty Is Legally Unjust." The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1998. 24-28. Print.

"The Death Penalty." Innocence Project. Innocence Project, n.d. Web.

Tucker, William. "The Death Penalty Deters Murder." Crime and Criminals: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2004. 167-70. Print.