LibGuides: Ethical Topics: Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment: Background

A year on, Indonesia gears up for executions again
by Sarah Gill
Only a year after the execution of Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, Indonesia is gearing up for another round of executions. Determined to keep it low profile, Indones

Killing Them Softly: How a Christian Nation Should Think about the Death Penalty – Opinion This link opens in a new window
From the – ABC Religion & Ethics site
Death Penalty This link opens in a new window
From the Law Council of Australia outlining the history of the death penalty in Australia and efforts to abolish the penalty in other countries.
End the Death Penalty - Amnesty International Australia This link opens in a new window
Debating the death penalty in Japan This link opens in a new window

Capital Punishment: Catholic Viewpoint

Catholic Social Teaching & the Death Penalty
Regarding the death penalty, the first and foremost aspect of the Church’s teaching is the belief in the inherent dignity of the human person as created in the image and likeness of God. Our Catechism states that this dignity "is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes." As such, the death penalty is "inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person" (Catholic Catechism 2267).
Pope Francis closes the door on the death penalty in ‘Fratelli Tutti’
In 2018, Pope Francis ordered a change in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official compendium of church teaching, when he termed the death penalty “inadmissible.” Today the pope placed the full weight of his teaching authority behind this statement: The death penalty is inadmissible, and Catholics should work for its abolition. (2020)
Pope Francis on latest Catholic view and ethical principles.
Pope Francis: The death penalty is contrary to the Gospel
Pope Francis declared today that the death penalty is “contrary to the Gospel.” He said that “however grave the crime that may be committed, the death penalty is inadmissible because it attacks the inviolability and the dignity of the person.” (Oct 11, 2017)
New Revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Death Penallty
The Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person”,[1] and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.
The death penalty: pro and con. The Pope's statement
Summary of the Papal encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, on death penalty.
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

BBC - Religions - Christianity: Capital punishment This link opens in a new window
Catholic Australia - Capital Punishment: the Catholic view restated This link opens in a new window

Capital Punishment: 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

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.

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?

Islamic Law on Capital Punishment
For Muslims, Islamic law guides their views on capital punishment, clearly establishing the sanctity of human life and the prohibition against taking human life but making an explicit exception for punishment enacted under legal justice.
The reasons for capital punishment in Islam
Answers to the following question:
"I'd like to know the reasons , justifications and conditions for the enforcement of capital punishment in Islam."
The conditions are laid out as to when capital punishment applies using scripture from the Qu'ran.

Resources

Catechism of the Catholic Church
Search here for a table of contents, index and how to read the Catechism as well as a search box for the Catechism.
Bible Gateway
The online Bible.
Select the NRSV edition.
The Qu'ran
The Holy Quran Arabic Text with English Translation, Commentary and comprehensive Introduction by Maulana Muhammad Ali Year 2002 Edition
The Tablet
Login to The Tablet automatically while on site. See the Learning Commons staff for the username and password for off-site access.