The Death Penalty As a Form of Justice Around the World

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The Death Penalty As a Form of Justice Around the World

Introduction:

The death penalty is a subject that has become very big in the 21st century. Many centuries ago the death penalty is something that was widely practiced in almost all cultures. This revenge sort of action was the only way some old civilizations felt could really prevent criminals from breaking the law. The USA today is almost left alone among nations when it comes to the death penalty and the U.S. government does not have a problem with that.

Arguments for the death penalty:

Capital punishment permanently removes the worst criminals from society and should prove much cheaper and safer for the rest of us than long term. It is self evident that dead criminals cannot commit any further crimes, either within prison or after escaping or being released from it. Another argument for the death penalty is the cost factor. The state may very well better spend our resources on the elderly, young and the sick rather than the long-term imprisonment of murderers. Execution is a very real punishment rather than some form of treatment. The criminal is made to suffer in proportion to the offence. Although whether there is a place in a modern society, is a matter of personal opinion.

There are many arguments why abolishing the death penalty should be done. Some argue the costs are too high, others think it is simply inhumane. I personally could not discount the value of human life because it costs less to kill someone rather that to keep them in jail. I do agree that all human life should be valued equally but that has not happened ever and I don't think it is going to start now. Even in a communist society, people are not equal. It is just the natu...

... middle of paper ...

..."normal" in a sense.

In conclusion I would like to say that I don't exactly know how the U.S. Catholic bishops felt about this issue a hundred years ago, but in modern times, death is not always the best way to solve society's problems. I am glad to see that a major influence has spoken out to help abolish the death penalty and I think that is a huge step in the movement. Nothing will ever change unless an influential body urges and persists with teachings of peace and non-violent alternatives. If the death penalty was abolished, I think over time we would in fact see the murder rates decrease as generations of children are raised sensitive to death and violence.

Bibliography:

www.wikipedia.org [for examples around world]

Resource website

Ideas after watching Dead Man Walking

Emotions after reading Newspaper opinion pieces

RE Pink Resource Book Section F

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