Why do people believe the death penalty is too harsh?

Question

It seems that so many liberal people are convinced that the death penalty is harsh and the murderers are undeserving of such 'cruelty". Have they forgotten about the cruel murderers and how they kill innocent people and take them away from their families. They play GOD so why can't we? I am tired of hearing about how we are just as bad if we execute them and we should be the better person. If people stop to think about it in the past people were hung at a pretty rapid rate, even for stealing a horse (which is of course extreme), but the crime rates weren't as high then. Every year they seem to increase and murders are on a rampage. Liberals think that execution is not a deterrent, but I disagree. If you are a bad person and going to hurt someone you may still do it, but at least you will be off the streets permanently. My friend's cousin murdered his ex wife and mutilated her, it was his first offense and because he was only twenty something at the time he will be out by the time he is 50. How is that justice, her little girl will never have a mom again. he will be out and possibly able to do it again and he was sitting in jail for 30 years, well fed, clothed, medical help if necessary, allowed to educate himself and ALIVE! (More than some innocent people have on a daily basis) By the way I am from Texas, which I am proud to say executes the most criminals annually.

Answer 1

Simply because we believe we have a civilized society and have decided that it is murder.  It is tantamount to barbarism.  A civilized society do not kill their members even if one of their members commit murder.  We as a society pride ourselves in our system of laws enacted by our members based on the process of crime then punishment and hope that justice will be served in the process.

Experience has shown however that the system is not perfect as it was devised by man and he is not perfect.  How many criminals convicted and sentenced to die wait to be executed?  How many sentences are commuted or prisoners set free- and worse fall through the cracks and re-offend?

It would be much simpler to review and streamline our judicial process cut out the endless appeals and execute these criminals in the interest of justice.  We do risk executing the innocent from time to time, but it is more humane than death row for years.  We taxpayers pay into the courts, attorneys, and all the trapping surrounding one prisoner.  That's where the cost lies.  We have been too soft in our complacency and too liberal in our politics.  Rehabilitation for some not for all and at the right time.

Answer 2

I am from Texas, too, and I oppose the death penalty - not because it's "too harsh," but simply because there are too many problems with it in practice.

I actually supported capital punishment for a long time, but I have changed my stance over the years, for several reasons:

1. By far the most compelling is this: Sometimes the legal system gets it wrong. In the last 30 years in the U.S., over 100 people have been released from death row because they were exonerated by DNA evidence. Unfortunately, DNA evidence is not available in most cases. No matter how rare it is, the government should not risk executing one single innocent person.

Really, that should be reason enough for most people. If you need more, read on:

2. Because of higher pre-trial expenses, longer trials, extra expenses associated with prosecuting a DP case, and the appeals process (which is necessary - see reason #1), it costs taxpayers MUCH more to execute prisoners than to imprison them for life.

3. The deterrent effect is questionable at best. Violent crime rates are actually higher in death penalty jurisdictions. This may seem counterintuitive, and there are many theories about why this is (Ted Bundy saw it as a challenge, so he chose Florida – the most active execution state at the time – to carry out his final murder spree). Personally, I think it has to do with the hypocrisy of taking a stand against murder…by killing people. The government becomes the bad parent who says, ‘do as I say, not as I do.’

4. There’s also an argument to be made that death is too good for the worst of our criminals. Let them wake up and go to bed every day of their lives in a prison cell, and think about the freedom they DON’T have, until they rot of old age. When Ted Bundy was finally arrested in 1978, he told the police officer, “I wish you had killed me.”  Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (the architect of the 9/11 attacks) would love nothing better than to be put to death.  In his words, "I have been looking to be a martyr [for a] long time."

5. Most governments are supposed to be secular, but for those who invoke Christian law in this debate, you can find arguments both for AND against the death penalty in the Bible. For example, Matthew 5:38-39 insists that violence shall not beget violence. James 4:12 says that God is the only one who can take a life in the name of justice. Leviticus 19:18 warns against vengeance (which, really, is what the death penalty amounts to). In John 8:7, Jesus himself says, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Answer 3

It's not too harsh for unborn children who haven't had a chance at life. For criminals who have had more than enough chances and continued to destroy innocent people's lives? Way too harsh!

Answer 4

Some people just don't believe in it. Who knows why?

I believe an eye for an eye. Each case has to be looked at individully and the circumstances, but if you kill someone in cold blood, you don't deserve to be on this Earth.

Answer 5

they play god, why cant you?

because you're supposed to be better than they are.

some of those people are innocent and they are killed because of something they didn't do.

Answer 6

I would say that it is rare to find an 'anti-death penalty' person who opposes it b/c of its cruelty. I certainly don't.

The reasons I oppose the death penalty is b/c it is not a deterrant, b/c killing people who kill people does NOT show that killing people is wrong, b/c many of them can be rehabilitated (not murderers and rapists, necessarily).

I am actually a 'pro-cruelty' advocate when it comes to our prision systems. I don't want people to be physically harmed...but I think the reason so many people are repeat offenders is b/c prision is a joke...a social organization. They have every single right we have--except the ability to leave when they want. Outside of that, they get cable, movies, weights, food, clothing, beds, electricity, etc....all on our tax dollars. I think they should be forced to work for their freebies....I think prision should suck...it should be a place NO ONE wants to visit. As long as it is 'summer camp' I don't see how we are doing anything productive with these people. Teach them a skill, get them in treatment, therapy, get them job assistance....make them work for it....otherwise, they will be right back in there.

Answer 7

if you live in a state that obviously follows your personal beliefs...why waste your time trying to convince others of something that is a PERSONAL belief?  people who do not believe in the death penalty can come up with just as many personal stories to back up their beliefs.  that's why its a subjective topic.  

Answer 8

under what circumstances should a person have to have their life taken away

Answer 9

Simple if you purposely kill someone, you die. Other consequences if it is accidental.

Answer 10

Dude. I totally agree.

If you kill someone, and are convicted, ESPECIALLY if you admit it, why shouldn't you die yourself? Think of all the pain you caused that family, and how you murdered someone and they will never live the legacy they were meant to. You took someone else's life, it's only fair you die yourself. Especially serial killers who have killed like 30 people. You can't fix these people. They are sick. They are dangerous. Us citizens shouldn't have to pay tax dollars to keep them in jail. It only makes sense that they be put to rest. We don't need them, they pollute society and they are a danger.

Besides, talk to any father who's daughter has been brutally raped and murdered. I seriously doubt he would say the death penalty is too harsh. And if he did then he never really loved his daughter.

Answer 11

I don't think the death penalty is too harsh, I think the Courts make too many mistakes for them to be killing anyone.  Look at all the new cases where DNA is proving people that have been jail for years to be innocent.  You think it is okay to kill innocent people.  Our courts are broke, they don't work, and you think that THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO KILL SOMEONE.  PULEASEEEEEEEEEE

Answer 12

I only think so in certain instances; We have to remember and take into account all the men and women on death row who are actually innocent.

I believe the death penalty should be abolished; those people should be donated to science, so that in some way, they are giving back to society, and not just a total waste.

Answer 13

Have you seen how many people in Texas, Florida and Illinois have been exonerated and released from death row after spending decades wrongfully imprisoned and awaiting death?

Answer 14

Killing is killing, unless its self defense.

Government sanctioned execution is still murder.

Executions have no place in a civilized society.

Answer 15

I agree with you.  I would rather not let a killer back out on the street to do it again.  I say, that killer should get the same sentence that he gave the victim.

Answer 16

Great question! I am for the death penalty there are too many sick, evil people out there!

Too bad its been abolished here in the UK.