Matthew Lavicky
Ms. Snyder
English 2
12 November 2018

Penalties and Morality   

         Have you ever heard the thought, “there are two sides to every coin?” Well, if you haven’t, it means every argument has two stories. Others understand it as, for every controversial statement, there are two arguments. These arguments typically take the form of a donkey or an elephant. Democrats or Republicans. The Death Penalty is a perfect example of a controversial act that separates these groups even more. One side of the coin states it is immoral, and the other claims it is within the American rights, but which side is correct? As to whether or not there is hope for this issue, it is still to be determined.
    Before a compromise can be made, the question must be asked, “what is the death penalty?” There are five types of this punishment, none of which are all legal in any state (deathpenaltyinfo.org). The first, and most popular, is lethal injection. In thirty-four states, lethal injection is used as the primary execution type. With this choice there are three drugs – pentobarbital, midazolam, and fentanyl – that can either all be administered at once or the option of one or two of them. An overdose of anesthesia is most commonly chosen (deathpenaltyinfo.org). Other execution types include electrocution, lethal gas, hanging, and firing squad, all of which are listed as a secondary options (deathpenaltyinfo.org).

    Since the year 1976, there have been a total of one thousand three hundred seven lethal injections (deathpenaltyinfo.org). Though this number may seem high, the amount of inmates on death row executed per year has gone down drastically over time. Only 23 people were executed in 2017, and 41 people were sentenced to death row (deathpenaltyinfo.org). Some may believe this number is still too high; however, in a list of global executioners shown by Amnesty.org, America only ranked 8th in 2017 (deathpenaltyinfo.org).

    With all of this information being public knowledge, some believe it is enough to take a side on this issue. A pole created by Gallup shows the overall approval for the death penalty (deathpenaltyinfo.org). From the years 1988-2014, the overall Democratic approval rating has fallen from 75% to 50%. In the same pole, the Republican approval rating has only dropped from 90% to 75%. These drops can easily be spotted when we look back on the presidential platforms. In 2008, the Democratic party stated the death penalty should be revised and only given in the most brutal and mindless crimes; it “must not be arbitrary [Random]” (2008 Democratic Party Platform). It was also stated, the punishment would only be given if the crime was proven with trusted resources such as DNA testing. In the 2016 presidential election, the party decided to lean fully to one side. They decided they would set out to “abolish the death penalty, which has proven to be a cruel and unusual form of punishment” (2016 Democratic Party Platform). It is obvious from this statement that the Democratic party sees the death penalty as immoral.

The Republican party, however, recognizes this differently. Stated in the 2016 Republican Party Platform, “The constitutionality of the death penalty is firmly settled by its explicit mention in the Fifth Amendment” (2016 Republican Party Platform). This party believes this form of capital punishment should continue to be used in “instances of heinous crime,” (2008 Republican Party Platform). This side believes this grand punishment should be used to maintain justice and keep clear laws in place for criminals who have committed deserving crimes. With all of these opinions, how can the public understand if this capital punishment is moral or not?

From a biblical perspective, the death penalty can be seen as immoral. God is the ultimate judge of creation. He decides who lives and dies in this world. Some will say He has given jurisdiction to the governments of this world. Though that may be considered truth, life is precious. Who are the people of America, of the world, to take on this power of authority. Those who judge the criminals and place this ultimate punishment may think they are doing what is needed, or what is right, however 1 Corinthians 4:4 states,“My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me” (New International Version, 1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:4). As for the question, is there any hope for us, the answer is no. From a biblical standpoint, humans have twisted laws and created new ones to better satisfy their desires instead of those of God.

In conclusion, there are many sides to each argument. Each side may have very strong opinions and both think they are doing what is right. Who are we to know what is right aside from the basics of don’t kill, don’t lie, etc.? As Americans, we have had so many ups and downs when we look back from our beginnings to now. How can we know for certain we are on the correct path? That is for you to decide.

 

Sources

“1 Corinthians 4:4 NIV.” 1 Corinthians 4:4 My Conscience Is Clear,

but That Does Not Make Me Innocent. It Is the Lord Who Judges Me. | New International Version (NIV) | Download The Bible App Now, www.bible.com/bible/111/1co.4.4.niv.

“Death Penalty ProCon.org.” Should the Death Penalty Be Allowed?, 3

Oct. 2018, 6:16:39 pm, deathpenalty.procon.org/.

“Is the Death Penalty Immoral? – Death Penalty – ProCon.org.” Should

the Death Penalty Be Allowed?, Pro Con, 24 Jan. 2017, 1:19:24 pm, deathpenalty.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=001038.

“Methods of Execution.” Methods of Execution | Death Penalty

Information Center, Death Penalty Information Center, 2018, deathpenaltyinfo.org/methods-execution.

“Political Party Platforms and The Death Penalty.” Political Party

Platforms and The Death Penalty | Death Penalty Information Center, Death Penalty Information Center, 2018, deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/6493.

“The Death Penalty in 2017: Facts and Figures.” Amnesty

International, Amnesty, 12 Apr. 2018, 1:01 pm, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/04/death-penalty-facts-and-figures-2017/.