Capital Punishment
The death penalty (or capital punishment) is a form of corporal punishment where a person is killed for their actions. Its aim is deterrence and retribution.
It was abolished in the UK for murder in 1965 and for treason in 1998. It was abolished in all EU member states with the European Convention on Human Rights. It is still used in many large countries around the world, notably the USA and Japan.
Stanley Tookie Williams Case
Stanley Tookie Williams was co-founder and later de fact leader of the Crips gang in the USA. He was convicted for four murders in two separate robberies and sentenced to death by lethal injection. During his time in prison, he:
- Wrote nine children's books against crime
- Saved ~150,000 youths from joining gangs
- Was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 5 times
- Received an award from President Bush He appealed his conviction, maintaining his innocence, but was eventually executed on the 13th December 2005.
Views
Christianity
Some Christians are in favour of the death penalty, quoting the Old Testament:
If there is a serious injury you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth
Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed
However, most Christians oppose it. They view it as a form of murder and against the Sanctity of Life. They believe that everybody should have the chance to change and repent.
Buddhism
Buddhists are told to follow the laws of your country, however are against the death penalty, quoting:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
They see corporal punishment and the death penalty as a form of violence, which is strictly prohibited by the First Moral Precept.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianists believe in the Principle of Utility, that says that actions should give the most amount of happiness to the most amount of people. They believe that the suffering of one person (the criminal) is justifiable if it causes more happiness for society.