LibGuides: Religion in a Pluralistic society: Capital Punishment

Catholic Perspective

BBC - Religions - Christianity: Capital punishment

The death penalty: pro and con. The Pope's statement
Summary of the Papal encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, on death penalty.
The Gospel of Life and Capital Punishment
A Reflection Piece and Study Guide
Statement of the California Catholic Conference of Bishops
July 1999
The Church's Anti-Death Penalty Position
USA Catholic Bishops’ statement.
Bishops Conference supports efforts to abolish the death penalty worldwide
Australian Bishops’ Conference statement.
Catholic Prison Ministry: Light at the End of the Tunnel
Article on restorative justice from Australian Bishops’ Conference

The Ethics of Capital Punishment

Killing Them Softly: How a Christian Nation Should Think about the Death Penalty – Opinion
From the – ABC Religion & Ethics site
Death Penalty
From the Law Council of Australia outlining the history of the death penalty in Australia and efforts to abolish the penalty in other countries.
Death row’s last throes? | The Australian
Article outlining the recent 'botched' execution of Clayton Lockett in Oklahoma and the arguments for and against.
End the Death Penalty - Amnesty International Australia
Debating the death penalty in Japan
Capital Punishment resources
LibGuides at Catholic College Bendigo

Catholic Scripture references

“Every life is a precious gift from God” Genesis 2:7, 21-23

“Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth” Exodus 21:23-25, Leviticus 24:17, Deuteronomy 19:21

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the sight of everybody…Do not take revenge, my friends, be leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to revenge, I will repay.” Romans 12:17-19

You have heard that is was said , “eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” But I tell you . Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:3-8

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Matthew 26:52

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

Capital Punishment: Other religious viewpoints

Buddhism
Hinduism
Judaism
Islam

What does Buddhism say about how criminals should be treated?
Buddhists believe all people should demonstrate loving-kindness and compassion but accept that some do wrong, misuse their free will and cause dukkha to others.
Refer to pages 3 & 4 of this website.
A Buddhist perspective on the death penalty
Buddhists, along with a growing number of members of other religions, believe that the death penalty is fundamentally unethical. From the Buddhist perspective, non-violence, or not harming others, is the heart of the Buddha’s teachings.

What does Hinduism say about crime?
Most Hindus believe that in order to achieve the higher spiritual goals, they must fulfil dharma. This concept of justice is linked to the principles of karma and ahimsa.
Actions in this life will directly affect experiences in future existences. 'Bad' or negative actions will lead to karmic debt.
Capital Punishment: Time to Abandon It?
Execution is inherently inhumane, unfairly applied and ineffective in deterring crime.
Capital punishment: Life is sacred in India, so why did they just hang a man?
Given such overwhelming religio-cultural and juridical commitment to the sanctity of life, recent instances of the Indian state’s demand for, and execution of, capital punishment appear out of place. India is not consistent when it comes to the enforcement of capital punishment. Its policy direction in this matter is very ambiguous – a halfway house between recognising the sanctity of life and taking it away.

What does Judaism say about crime?
Many Jews believe that behaviour in this life will be judged by God after death. There are strict rules about how Jews should behave, and to go against these rules and commit a crime is a sin against God.
The Death Penalty in Jewish Tradition
Capital punishment: allowed in the Torah and Talmud, but rarely carried out by Jewish courts.
The Torah prescribes death as punishment for a number of serious sins — among them murder, idol worship and desecrating the Sabbath — as well as several seemingly less serious ones, like serially disobeying one’s parents. In practice, however, death sentences were rarely carried out by Jewish courts.
Ask the Rabbi: Does the Jewish law promote the death penalty?
Jewish law has a complex relationship with the death penalty.

What does Islam teach about crime?
Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor.
Qur'an 4:135
Refer to pages 3 & 4 of this website

Sharia law and the death penalty
Would abolition of the death penalty be unfaithful to the message of Islam?

Ethics

Ethical Method in Pluralistic Society - Religious Studies
LibGuides at Catholic College Bendigo