Almost everyone agrees that people who commit crimes should be punished, whether this be as a deterrent, as vindication, or to allow the offender to reform.  Many people would like to take this one stage further and allow for those people who commit crimes of child murder, multiple murders and terrorists to be executed for their crimes.  In 1965 capital punishment was abolished in Britain.  Until this time people were usually hanged for murder.  However, there is still a gallows at one English prison as capital punishment has been retained for treason and piracy on the high seas!   

Capital Punishment is the taking of someone's life as revenge/protection/vindication for the murder of others.  One country in which the death penalty is still used is America.  There are approximately 3000 people awaiting execution on Death Row.  Some claim that capital punishment is the ultimate protection.  Somebody who is dead can never kill again.  

Christianity & Capital Punishment

Many Christians will claim that the life of a murderer is no less sacred than the life of any other human being.  According to the Christian view God gives life and only God has the right to take it away.

In the Old Testament we find the underlying principle is 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth', basically saying a life for a life.  Here God is seen as the fair judge who wants the punishment to fit the crime.

However, in the New Testament Jesus takes a different view.  Jesus said that the idea of 'an eye for an eye' should be replaced with a new view of love and forgiveness.  A 'life for a life' is therefore not consistent with Jesus' teaching.

In the 21st Century many Christians are more likely to believe in allowing an opportunity for reform whilst making sure that the punishment is severe enough so the perpetrator understands he is being punished.  This is not to say that all Christians are against capital punishment - many are staunch advocates.

Islam & Capital Punishment

Muslims believe in the theory of retribution - 'eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth' -  in other words the punishment has to fit the crime.  It doesn't say to use capital punishment, but the Qur'an states that the family of the victim must chose how the offender should be punished, with the help of the Shari'ah to make the decision. Most Islam countries use the religious law of Sunnah to use as the law of their country, unlike Britain where we use a state law and a multi-religious law. 

Muslims like to be harsh but fair, they use this law for the protection of the community and they use equality to keep life as fair as possible. They give the offender a chance of mercy to make him do a good deed if he is merciful, and he has his own say in his punishment.  Not only does it protect, but it also deters offenders committing crimes.

www.submission.org/death.html  Detailing the view of punishment in Islam

http://islam-usa.com/e106.htm  Interesting page

www.askislam.com/Society/Correction_and_Rehabilitation/Capital_Punishment/  Questions about Capital Punishment within Islam

www.theislamreport.com/justice.html  A report on punishment

www.religioustolerance.org/execute.htm  Quotes & facts about the Death Penalty

www.christianity.com/CC/article/1,1183,PTID1000%7CCHID%7CCIID132640,00.html  A Christian argument in favour of the Death Penalty

www.marysremnant.org/Friends/DBK/BKLifeCapitalPun.html  A very detailed essay

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