Death penalty- arguments for or against

charlotte234s · Nov 4, 2007, 10:00 PM

Okay guys, I'm writing a paper for a college class, and I chose the death penalty or capital punishment as my subject.

I have to present my argument and also address or prove wrong the counterarguments in my paper.

I'm not sure which side to write about.

Post some of your arguments/counterarguments and help me out?

But please don't fight, I'm just trying to to extend my research for my paper. I've found some information supporting a ban on the death penalty and some that says the death penalty should not be banned...

Try to use facts and statistics, but also maybe some emotional things if you want, I've not decided which angle I will go from yet.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Beachgrl · Nov 6, 2007, 12:28 AM

My view is that the world is overpopulated enough. If someone is definately guilty of murder, child molestation or something along those lines then I say just kill them. We don't want them back in our society anyway and we don't want to pay for them while they're in jail. The major problem with the death penalty is that we don't use it enough and that the prisoners wait too long on death row. Once they are convicted and there is no doubt about their guilt, that should be it. Do it right then and there.

firmbeliever · Nov 6, 2007, 12:28 AM

Where I am,
as per Islamic law, murder is treated as a civil crime and is covered by the law of qisas (retaliation), whereby the relatives of the victim decide whether the offender is punished with death by the authorities or made to pay diyah (Weregild - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) as compensation.

There was a murder in a relatives family and the man who admitted to being responsible was jailed,
but the family did not ask for compensation or death penalty because they felt that the man was not the only one involved and they did not wish to take his life without proper evidence even if he had confessed.

iAMfromHuntersBar · Nov 6, 2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachgrl

If someone is definately guilty of murder, child molestation or something along those lines...

See, you're been very vague there - "something along those lines" ... where do you draw that line?

What about Euthenasia?
What about crimes of passion?
What about someone like Excon who would kill someone if they hurt his family?
What about the mentally ill?
What about people defending their property?
What about self defence?

What about statutory rape in a consensual relationship?

What about the person who's throwing the switch for electric chair or pumping that lethal fluid into the accused ... are they murderers too!?

Beachgrl · Nov 6, 2007, 01:07 AM

Well it would need to be a case by case basis. Rape by itself - no, I don't think it deserves death (tho I'm sure I'll hear a lot about that comment) Rape and murder - yes. If its your job like in the case of euthanasia or the guy throwing the switch then no its not murder. Self defense is not murder - you have the right to protect yourself. I don't really know how to define it but case by case I could tell you my opinions. Crimes of passion - yes its murder and maybe it does deserve the death penalty but at the same time it is justified. Retaliation for crimes against your family – yes also murder, but also justified. Maybe just those people who are killers, those people who do it because they want to, for no other reason then to kill or rape or just hurt someone else.

iAMfromHuntersBar · Nov 6, 2007, 01:14 AM

But there will always be grey areas, and cases that don't fit into that systematic ideal!

My point is then you're giving that decision to either a judge or jury to decide ... and they make mistakes!

I think for someone to send someone else to death for a wrong they have commited is the adult equivelent of whining "Well HE STARTED IT!"

And if you call yourself a Christian and think this is OK, that's even worse in my opinion!

albear · Nov 6, 2007, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachgrl

My view is that the world is overpopulated enough. If someone is definately guilty of murder, child molestation or something along those lines then I say just kill them. We don't want them back in our society anyway and we don't want to pay for them while they're in jail. The major problem with the death penalty is that we don't use it enough and that the prisoners wait too long on death row. Once they are convicted and there is no doubt about their guilt, that should be it. Do it right then and there.

thank you, finally somebody here who i can completely agree with,

Beachgrl · Nov 6, 2007, 01:24 AM

Well I definately don't call myself a christian and yes there will always be grey areas. But no I don't think its the equivalent of "he started it." When people commit certain acts they should not ever be allowed the chance to come back into society. And instead of giving them life in prison and making the public pay to keep them alive why not just kill them and do everyone a favor?

albear · Nov 6, 2007, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachgrl

Well I definately don't call myself a christian and yes there will always be grey areas. But no I don't think its the equivalent of "he started it." When people commit certain acts they should not ever be allowed the chance to come back into society. And instead of giving them life in prison and making the public pay to keep them alive why not just kill them and do everyone a favor?

YES!

Beachgrl · Nov 6, 2007, 01:30 AM

lol!!! albear I love your picture

albear · Nov 6, 2007, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachgrl

lol!!! albear I love your picture

lol, it makes me chuckle



At Ask Me Help Desk you can ask questions in any topic and have them answered for free by our experts. To ask questions or participate in answering them you must register for a free account. By registering you will be able to: Get free answers from experts in any of our 300+ topics. Accept money for answers that you provide. Communicate privately with other members (PM). See fewer ads. Sign Up!