Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Secondly, from a Catholic point-of-view this stance is supported by centuries of Church doctrine and by references to Biblical test, as discussed above. This also refers to the view that many modern Catholics take; which in turn refers to the contemporary emphasis on the right to life as a sign of the decline of religion and the growth of secularization. This reflects the view that the growing opposition to the death penalty"… has gone hand in hand with a decline of faith in eternal life." ( Dulles)
4. Conclusion
The above discussion has outlined the two central arguments for and against the death penalty from a Catholic perspective. There is little doubt that this topic has also crested intense debate within the Church. This can be seen from the fact that a poll of views among Catholics indicates that members of the church...
It is also noteworthy that there has in recent years been a marked increase in the number of Catholics opposed to the death sentence. A poll by John Zogby indicates that almost half of Catholics oppose the death sentence. (Zapor) However, polls also indicate a more recent shift in sentiment with 2001 polls showing sixty-eight percent of Catholics in favor of the death penalty. (Zapor)
I see the modern shift towards an opposition to the death penalty among Catholics as a sign of the increasing pressure of secular thinking and the decline of a religious outlook in our society. This also leads to my view that the implementation of the death penalty is imperative if the innocent are to be protected from evil doers in our society. Therefore, in the final analysis I would suggest that the death penalty is ethically and theologically essential.
Bibliography
Dulles A. Catholicism & Capital Punishment. Sunday. 3 Oct. 2010
(http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0461.html).
Gonzales A. Pro-life and Pro-Capital Punishment Contradiction in Terms? 3 Oct. 2010
(http://www.roman-catholic.com/Roman/Articles/CapitalPunishment.htm)
Zapor P. Holy Week Campaign to End Death Penalty. 5 Oct. 2010.
(http://www.americancatholic.org/News/DeathPenalty/BishopsDeath.asp)
Bibliography
Dulles A. Catholicism & Capital Punishment. Sunday. 3 Oct. 2010
(http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0461.html).
Gonzales A. Pro-life and Pro-Capital Punishment Contradiction in Terms? 3 Oct. 2010
(http://www.roman-catholic.com/Roman/Articles/CapitalPunishment.htm)
(http://www.americancatholic.org/News/DeathPenalty/BishopsDeath.asp)
Capital Punishment The issue of the death penalty and capital crime has become one of the dominant issues debated in contemporary culture. The reason for this is firstly a moral questioning of the right to take a life, even when it is in retribution for extreme crimes like murder. The foundation of this contemporary attitude lie in the view that modern culture and society should be able to deal with extreme
, 2010, p. 428). In a country where Blacks represent only 13% of the population, as of 2010 they made up "twenty-eight of the fifty-seven (49%) of inmates on federal death row," Cohen writes on page 428. Speaking of the "geography of the federal death penalty," Cohen asserts that six of the ninety-four federal judicial districts account for fully "one-third of death authorizations." Seven federal districts are responsible for "…approximately 40%
Death Penalty: Social Attitudes and Modern Alternatives The issue of the death penalty raises deep emotions on all sides of the debate. Many feel that the death penalty no longer holds value as a tool for society to prevent heinous crimes. In the past, the prevalence of the death penalty created a measure of deterrence on social behaviors. However, in modern life, there is no longer is a measurable deterrence felt
[DPIC] Similarly, many other researches were conducted but failed to offer any conclusive evidence as to the effectiveness of capital punishment in deterring crimes. The lack of consistency in these results presents a complex problem before us in evaluating the utilitarian value of death penalty. One more aspect to be considered under the utilitarian thought is the cost of executions. It is well-known that the legal cost of executions in
Our society does not truly condone or express interest in the Old Testament eye for an eye type of justice - we do not support the removal of limbs or torture, we do not force the criminal to forfeit their property (other than money) as direct restitution (criminal law does not generally include a commitment to the victim other than jail time - money is doled out in civil
Capital Punishment in the United States Capital punishment is one of the comprehensive, but debatable punishments given to criminal offenders in the U.S. And many other nations across the globe. Capital punishment involves the issuance of the death penalty because of committing serious crimes like crime in the society. Capital punishment has received tumultuous public support touching both ends of the society with its authorization in thirty-seven American states. It is