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Capital Punishment is simply the process of executing someone as a punishment for a specific crime. Crimes that are punishable by death are known as capital crimes or capital offences. These crimes are commonly murder, mass murder, treason, terrorism, crimes against the state, etc… Some of the top countries that still pursue the execution method is China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Since WW11 there has been a motion to abolish the death sentence, but in total 58 countries still retain this punishment. The death penalty is even more costly than just regular life imprisonment. For example, In California more than $4 billion was spent on capital punishment since it was reinstated in 1978. Instead of wasting a countless amount of money towards an inhumane type of punishment, people should thrive to invest it into different areas like education, public safety programs, mental health problems etc… The death penalty can often be argued that capital punishment is used as a bargaining chip, prosecutors need in order to secure life without parole pleas. While this might make sense on its face, a look at the facts shows there is no real evidence for this position. What we do know is that this tactic reveals profound ethical dilemmas as the threat of a death sentence can be used coercively, only increasing the risk of wrongful convictions. Prison sentences these days in which parole is restricted either for a substantial number of years or forever is a growing trend among states today. As a response to violent murders, almost every state, as well as the federal government, now uses a lengthy guaranteed minimum sentence before parole can even be considered. The perception that a murderer convicted of a capital crime will be back on the streets in seven years if not given the death penalty is totally inaccurate.

Christianity: Many Christians argue both in favor and oppose capital punishment. There are many arguments presented by both sides. The ones for capital punishment argue that the death penalty helps maintain order and protection in a society. The bible even states the death penalty for some crimes and high powers such as the church of England have gone on to say “The laws of the realm may punish Christian men with death for heinous and grievous crimes”. This goes to show that many Christians are behind the death penalty. Many Christians also make a fair statement in saying that the protection of the society is much more important then the individual. Then there is the other hand of Christians who go against capital punishment. They believe that Jesus came to earth to reform sinners, not kill them. These Christians believed in the sanctity of life, that life is holy, therefor only Jesus has the power to take one’s life. They also argue that sin is part of human nature and everyone has a chance to be reformed. Christians are also huge advocates for justice, therefor they believe criminals should be treated justly. The bible also has many teachings that go against the death penalty, such as the ten commandments. Christians have been in disagreement for years involving capital punishment.

Buddhism: Buddhism strongly disagrees with the death penalty as they believe in the compassion for the lives of others. Buddhists strive to heal the person who committed a crime, rather than retaliate. Buddhists have always believed in the preservation of ones live and have always opposed the death penalty.

Hinduism: Hinduism has historically not taken a stance on the influence of Capital Punishment. They are neither oppose or for. This has resulted in India (80 percent Hindu) having the lowest execution rate in the world. In result of the Hindu belief in Ahimsa, also known as non-violence, which was very prominent throughout Gandhi’s time. Hinduism has also had many emperors who openly opposed the death penalty, such as Emperor Ashola. Hinduism not taking a stance on Capital Punishment has resulted very well.

Islamic: Almost all Islamic states support capital punishment. The nations of Islam have government that run directly based off the Quran, which states that the taking of one’s life, will result in the taking of your own. Things like adultery will also result in the death penalty, even though there is many for the death penalty, there is an Islamic nation called Djibouti, that does not carry out the death penalty for any crimes. Islamic states have naturally almost always been for the death penalty.

Judaism: Judaism has historically been in a debate over capital punishment, but the generally disagree with it. The Torah describes almost thirty different situations where the death penalty is applicable, but there are many limitations which make these rules hard to use. In Israel (home to many Jewish) they have completely outlawed the death penalty since 1954, except in cases of Genocide or treason.

All Religions: All of the major world religions all have varied opinions on the death penalty. Due to their opinion, they all have a major impact on the way the government controls capital punishment. Many of these world religions give an option of death or life in prison, but some do not. All religions have had different impacts on capital punishment throughout history.    

-By: Adam Bergen

History of Capital Punishment

Capital punishment is the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime. The execution of people who commit crimes has been carried out throughout nearly all civilizations throughout history. The most historical records of tribes and civilizations indicate that they almost all carried out the law of the death penalty (Capital punishment). The earliest established record of Capital punishment dates to the 18^th century BC, beginning with Hammurabi’s code, consisting of 25 different crimes resulting in the death penalty. Then, Athens in the seventh century, take it upon themselves to make the death penalty punishable for all crimes. The death penalty in Europe and prominently in Roman law through the 7^th to 4^th century BC, was carried out in several different ways such as crucifixion, drowning, burning, beating to death and impalement. Britain has a large history in commercializing and abusing capital punishment, they are also seen as perfect examples for future civilizations to follow. In Britain in the 10^th century AD, the usual method of execution was hanging. Then along came the 6^th century, and possibly the most famous leader of executions, Henry the VIII, who will be expanded upon further along.

Britain was the main influence for America developing the death penalty. When settlers voyaged to the new world, the British colonists brought the law of Capital punishment with them. When the colonists had settled, the first execution in America, was Captain George Kendall, for being a spy in Spain. As the American colonies began to develop, many of their laws varied on capital punishment. In Virginia 1612, the governor enacted the death penalty even for minor crimes. In Massachusetts, they didn’t conduct their first execution until 1630. While in New York, Crimes like hitting one’s mother or father, or denying true god, were punishable by death as of 1665. Throughout years and years of executions, all these had been conducted in the public eye, some as sort of a celebration, bringing evil to an end. Until 1834, when Pennsylvania is the fist state to move all executions to be conducted inside correctional facilities, and not to the public eye. Then things began to take a drastic change in 1846, Michigan is the first state to completely abolish capital punishment for all crimes, except for treason. From then on, many states began to drop the death penalty, but many also held on and carried it out. In a span of 10 years (1907-1917), a total of six states completely outlawed the death penalty as it was viewed as cruel by many. And by 1950, many more states had abolished or limited the death penalty. In 1950, the execution rate was 1289 per year, and in 1976 took a drastic drop to 191 executions. By 1972, the Supreme court ruled that the death penalty will not be punishable for 40 different crimes, resulting in the cancellation of 629 inmates’ executions. In 1976, things went down hill when the death penalty was completely reinstated. This has stayed this way 43 years now in 29 different U.S states.

Henry VIII

Henry the VIII was King of England from 1509-1547, 37 years of power over all of England, and he took major advantage of his power. Henry VIII Succeeded his father for the throne and did not take a liking to any rivals to the throne and began executing anyone he saw as a threat to the throne as soon as he took power. Henry only went on from there. Henry VIII is said to of ordered anywhere from 57 to 72 000 people to be executed, one of the largest death penalty rates in history. Those who chose to go against the king and choose not to succumb to his laws and act, would be executed. Henry VIII is the largest mogul and conductor of Capital punishment throughout all of history.

By: Adam Bergen

In our current times many people still believe that Capital Punishment is the correct thing to put upon a person as it serves them for the actions they have committed. Many people also believe that the death penalty is unjust and morally wrong. When someone murders someone else, the correct punishment is not to murder him or her, but to try and help them. These are just some of the reasons the death penalty should be removed. Capital punishment is often defended on the grounds that society has a moral obligation to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens. Murderers threaten this safety and welfare. Only by putting murderers to death can society ensure that convicted killers do not kill again. Once again society can be heavily influenced in a bad way since the death penalty does not contribute to the deterrence of crime. In fact, the death penalty may actually raise crime rates. Capital punishment is not a solution; it is a burden on society and does more harm than good. Many other countries have eradicated the death penalty for this exact reason as it only increases the rate of crime. In 1967, a moratorium was placed on the death penalty. But it was not until 1976 that Canada formally abolished the death penalty from the Criminal Code, when the House of Commons narrowly passed Bill C-84. By then, Canada had hanged 710 people since capital punishment was enacted in 1859.

Throughout history Capital Punishment has been a harsh penalty in which people faced when they committed severe crimes. There have been many significant people that faced the death penalty due to their actions, for example: Che Guevara, he was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist. Guevara had been a major figure throughout the Cuban Revolution and became part of Fidel Castro’s efforts to overthrow the Batista government in Cuba. Che Guevara was executed in 1967, socialist revolutionary and guerrilla leader at the age of 39 was killed by the Bolivian army. The U.S.-military-backed Bolivian forces and captured Guevara on October 8 while battling his band of guerrillas in Bolivia and assassinated him the following day. Another individual by the name of John Wayne Gacy was known as the “Killer Clown”, was an American serial killer and rapist who sexually assaulted, tortured and murdered at least 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978 in Cook County, Illinois. Although he maintained his innocence, he was found guilty in 1980 and given multiple death penalty and life sentences. In 1994, he had been executed by lethal injection. Theodore Robert Bundy was an American serial killer and necrophiliac who kidnapped, raped, and murdered numerous young women and girls during the 1970s and possibly earlier. When he confessed to his 30 homicides that he had committed from 1974-1978 he was faced with death penalty , and died on January 24 1989.