Capital punishment and the legal, and mental...

Capital Punishment is always a difficult topic to write about because it is so controversial. The United States for example, has capital punishment while Canada does not. Capital punishment can be argued on an ethical, legal, religious, biological, or mental health standpoint.

There are pros and cons for each side of the controversy. As a Canadian and Montreal resident, this examiner agrees with Canadian abolishment of capital punishment. The Canadian law reserves, hanging, which is the form of capital punishment used, to police murders; and people who deal criminals everyday and are always in the line of fire.

Capital punishment means the end of one's life and that is scary on many levels. From a biological perspective

Religious/legal point of view

Often time the bible is quoted as a reference for capital punishment where passages such as "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" are quoted. Yes, this passage was Hebrew law during the Old Testament times and actually was derived from Hammurabi's code. It was replaced with the spiritual teachings of Jesus.

Yet, if we go back further to the book of Genesis we find that Cain killed Able; but God did not take his life, he punished him by banishing him.

The 10 commandments also say, "thou shalt not kill," so that means thou shalt not kill unless you are a government who makes that decision.

Examiner note: This is a double standard. This examiner maintains that only God has the right to take a life.

In the New Testament the Jews did not make their own rules though they did for Jewish matters. The Sanhedrin was the Jewish religious and governing body; however they were under Roman rule and had to abide by Roman law when it came to matters of the empire.

The New Testament is a testament to love not killing. Jesus preached, “ turn the other cheek”, which was very different from the Babylonian concept of an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. From a legal perspective this dichotomy must have been confusing; but, from a religious and mental health perspective it must have been even more daunting.

Sources:

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/CODE.HTM

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Romans.html

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Sanhedrin.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_Canada

http://archives.cbc.ca/society/crime_justice/topics/625/

http://www.enotes.com/does-capital-article

http://www.religioustolerance.org/execut4.htm

http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/pblct/forum/e092/e092a-eng.shtml

Comments: 16

Angela A. Nov 11, 2010, 12:51pm UTC

I believe if everyone adhered to the "Eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" policy, they're be a lot of one eyed, one tooth people out there. And, how is that truly justice?, I say.
It is not.

Carol Roach Nov 12, 2010, 2:36am UTC

well said Angela, well said

reply to this comment

amy r. Nov 11, 2010, 12:57pm UTC

I think a person being released in death is not punishment for a crime. Going to prison and losing their freedom for a lifetime is the better punishment.

Carol Roach Nov 12, 2010, 2:37am UTC

I think so too

Nichole D. Nov 11, 2010, 2:17pm UTC

Another argument can be made from an economic standpoint. Just a thought to add to your series. :)

Carol Roach Nov 12, 2010, 2:38am UTC

thanks hon, but I don\t see the connection in terms of being against capital punishment which I am

Nichole D. Nov 12, 2010, 8:12am UTC

Capital punishment costs more money in the long run, because of the amount of appeals it requires....paying attorneys, judges, court costs, etc....research and you will find tons of information about the economic arguments. There is a HUGE connection.

Nichole D. Nov 12, 2010, 8:19am UTC

Considering that almost everyone on death row is indigent, WE all are paying for all the appeals, etc. Look at how long it takes to actually execute someone on death row. Some states are quicker about it, but in some, people have been sitting on death row since the 70's. Tax payers have been not only paying for them to live in prison during that time like they would anyway, but they are constantly going to court, etc. It has a huge economic impact, which many would argue is one of the best arguments in regards to the death penalty. Many people who actually morally or ethically support the death penalty actually oppose it because of the economic argument, because it just doesn't work how it is supposed to work in regards to deterence, etc due to all the hurdles involved.

Dennis Gilman Nov 11, 2010, 3:05pm UTC

Ah! A topic on which Carol and I have different opinions. I have no problems with capital punishment. My problem is with the grave imperfections in the justice system. So the only arguments that I cannot rebut are those based on those imperfections.

Executing a person who deliberately, with malice and forethought, kills another is not wrong to me. Currently however, the imperfections in the system gets innocent people executed.

Not allowing the death penalty does not necessarily prevent the death of the innocent however since a desperate criminal, knowing that he is going to get a very long prison sentence for his crime is not dissuaded from killing the innocent in an attempt to avoid capture. With the death penalty as a possible punishment, the choice is then between death and a long prison term. Maybe he just might choose the long prison term.

Carol Roach Nov 12, 2010, 2:39am UTC

has it worked in Jamaica? it is not a deterrent here

Dennis Gilman Nov 12, 2010, 9:33am UTC

They haven't executed anyone here for decades even though death sentences are still being handed out, so I have no answer. What is currently happening is that there are so many incidents of alleged violent criminals being killed in alleged gunfights with our police that organizations such as Amnesty International have been raising great concerns.

Carol Roach Nov 13, 2010, 3:30pm UTC

yep I heard the Jamaican police are one of the toughest, Jamaican gangs here in montreal are not afraid of Montreal police they say after they have had to deal with Jamaican police.

Dennis Gilman Nov 15, 2010, 9:51am UTC

There are police task forces that are actually much more dangerous than the criminals themselves. The special Anti Crime Task Force (SACTF) for one.

Carol Roach Nov 15, 2010, 10:57am UTC

I agree with you

Capital punishment and the legal, and mental health implications

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