The Death Penalty

I wanted to follow the post on Abortion with The Death Penalty because I feel they are related. I do recognize that there is some debate as to when life starts, when a fetus becomes a person, viability, etc. My opinion is that viability of the fetus is not as relevant as the fact that a new life has been started, and that after a reasonable amount of time has passed, say one month, to recognize that one is pregnant, that the decision to continue or end the pregnancy needs to be made. Beyond a month, I am, for the sake of this dialogue, considering it a person.

I juxtapose the abortion and death penalty issues because my opinion on them follows the same rationale. I am against the taking of a human life, particularly as a matter of convenience (except in circumstances of self-defense). And so, I am universally against the death penalty. This opinion of mine goes above and beyond any arguments for or against, but I will review them anyway, for the sake of argument.

There are many arguments for and against the death penalty (this is an excellent website with arguments for and against well argued). Those who support the death penalty will argue that it is a deterrant to murder. However, in most cases, murder is a crime of passion. Those who kill as a crime of passion are not considering consequences when they commit the act. Studies evaluating the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrant to murder are inconclusive and show no difference from life in prison.

Another argument for the death penalty is the sense of justice, an eye for an eye mentality. This is not a sane, measured or humane response, but one driven by emotions and the sense that someone must pay. I have been asked what I would do if a parent or child of mine were murdered. It is my nature to seek understanding and redemption over retribution. I could not live with myself, knowing that I brought about the death of another person, for any reason. The emotions of retribution are not positive and affirming emotions, and I feel that I would be giving into hate if I were to allow this kind of retribution.

One primary argument against the death penalty is that it is irreversable. Once done, it cannot be undone, should future evidence find the person innocent. Additionally, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that it is not evenly applied. People of color are more likely to be given the death penalty than those who are white and committed similar crimes.

Again, the arguments on both sides are essentially moot as far as I am concerned. Taking another person's life is wrong.