Is the death penalty too cruel? (punishment, Zen)

gtrsgrls · #1 10-04-2005, 10:49 AM

Some people cling to the argument that the death penalty is too cruel to be used.What do you think.In my opinion if a person murders someone,he himself should be put to death.Why should he not get the same thing he gave some innocent person?Our jails are housing thousands and thousands of people who've committed horrible crimes.And it's our tax dollars that are housing them.Don't you think if we raised the bar on punishment we would have less crimes and more money?You might say "it's not fair to punish a man that severely."Well was it fair for the family he murdered?Was it fair for the woman he raped and killed?Ask yourself that.

Green Gaia · #2 10-04-2005, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtrsgrls

In my opinion if a person murders someone,he himself should be put to death.

An eye for an eye?

Quote:

Don't you think if we raised the bar on punishment we would have less crimes and more money?

It hasn't worked so far.

Aqualung · #3 10-04-2005, 10:53 AM

No. It's not cruel enough. If a person murders someone, they shouldn't be allowed to live in luxury, and then be allowed repite from the boring life in jail through death. They, and all other criminals, should be forced to work. Like in the old days, when a criminal actually had to pay a penalty for his crime, instead of getting to live better than some law abiding citizens. The death penalty is way, way to simpathetic, as are prisons in general.

Green Gaia · #4 10-04-2005, 10:57 AM

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Originally Posted by gtrsgrls

"Well was it fair for the family he murdered?Was it fair for the woman he raped and killed?

And is killing the murderer or rapist somehow going to make up for their crimes or erase what they've done?

Ryan2065 · #5 10-04-2005, 10:58 AM

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Originally Posted by Aqualung

No. It's not cruel enough. If a person murders someone, they shouldn't be allowed to live in luxury, and then be allowed repite from the boring life in jail through death. They, and all other criminals, should be forced to work. Like in the old days, when a criminal actually had to pay a penalty for his crime, instead of getting to live better than some law abiding citizens. The death penalty is way, way to simpathetic, as are prisons in general.

Some homeless people try to get put into prision before winter so they have a nice place to stay....

I agree, jails should be so cruel no one would want to be there. And trust me, the death penality is a very good means to stop someone from commiting crimes. Lets say that someone killed a person. If he gets caught he is looking at life in prision (more than likely) Whats to stop him from killing as many people as he can to keep from going to prision? The penality will not be worse at all.

Ryan2065 · #6 10-04-2005, 10:59 AM

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Originally Posted by Maize

And is killing the murderer or rapist somehow going to make up for their crimes or erase what they've done?

Police have saved their own lives many a times by telling someone whos pointing a gun at them "You know if you kill me you will die."

And trust me, bad guys know this stuff.

Green Gaia · #7 10-04-2005, 11:01 AM

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Originally Posted by Ryan2065

And trust me, the death penality is a very good means to stop someone from commiting crimes.

It is?

Jaymes · #8 10-04-2005, 11:02 AM

It's not cruel at all. Well, it would be for me, but that's because I have a very bad phobia of needles. At any rate, it's not cruel--but it is wrong.

So is sitting in prison for years and years and getting provided for every day, though.

EDIT:

Gtrlsgrls, I must admit I'm confused. As your religion you list 'a true Christian,' but I thought that Christianity was against the death penalty? Turn the other cheek, if someone takes your jacket give them your shirt as well? Maybe I'm getting my religions confused again.

gtrsgrls · #9 10-04-2005, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maize

And is killing the murderer or rapist somehow going to make up for their crimes or erase what they've done?

No, but at least the families of the victim will know that justice has been served.I know if my brother got killed I would feel a lot better if the person really paid the price.

Darkdale · #10 10-04-2005, 11:04 AM

I think the death penalty is just, but I don't think we should use it. Our government shouldn't be allowed to kill it's citizens for any reason.