What do religions think about the death penalty?

What do religions think about the death penalty?

Some Christians argue that capital punishment helps to maintain order and protection in society. They would say this because: The Bible sets down the death penalty for some crimes, so it must be acceptable to God. This is often seen as retribution .

Do any religions support the death penalty?

Religious Preference More than 7 in 10 Protestants (71%) support the death penalty, while 66% of Catholics support it. Fifty-seven percent of those with no religious preference favor the death penalty for murder.

Does Hinduism support the death penalty?

Hindu teachings state that the dharma of government is to protect the citizens and this is best achieved through capital punishment. Many Hindus believe that capital punishment can form part of the belief in ahimsa as capital punishment protects innocent people from criminal violence.

What does Buddhism say about the death penalty?

Buddhist arguments against capital punishment The death penalty is clearly against Buddhist teaching. Buddhists place great emphasis on non-violence and compassion for all life. The first Precept requires individuals to abstain from injuring or killing any living creature.

What does Judaism say about the death penalty?

Many Jews believe that capital punishment is acceptable but that it should be used as a last resort. People who are unlikely to reform and who are a threat to society should be given the death penalty. The Talmud says capital punishment is allowed.

What does the Catholic Church say about capital punishment?

On August 2, 2018, the Vatican announced that it had formally changed the official Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty, calling capital punishment “an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person” and deeming it “inadmissible” in all cases.

Does the Bible support the death penalty?

While the Bible very clearly condones and commands capital punishment, there are verses that can be interpreted as being against capital punishment. For example, when Cain murdered Abel, God sentenced him to wandering as a fugitive rather than to death, and even issued a warning against killing Cain.

What do Hindus say about the death penalty?

There is no official Hindu line on capital punishment. However, Hinduism opposes killing, violence and revenge, in line with the principle of ahimsa (non-violence). India still retains the death penalty, and the reasons for this are likely to be similar to be those suggested in the Buddhist section.

What does Hinduism say about crime?

Committing crime is often against ahimsa and usually viewed as a ‘bad’ action, while protecting those who are victims of crime is usually viewed as a ‘good’ action. Most Hindus would agree that crime exists in the world because people have free will and some will not always act justly or kindly.

Why is punishment important to Jews?

Most Jews believe that punishment should aim to protect society. In some cases the death penalty is the only way to ensure that society remains protected. Jews believe that the death penalty is acceptable, but must always be used as a last resort.

Does Sikhism believe in capital punishment?

Most Sikhs do not agree with capital punishment. They have this view because: Executing people takes away their right to human dignity. There is no teaching in the Guru Granth Sahib on capital punishment, and some Sikhs think that if it were allowed, the holy book would give guidelines for its usage.

Why does the Catholic Church oppose the death penalty?

In 2018, the Catechism of the Catholic Church was revised to read that “in the light of the Gospel” the death penalty is “inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person” and that the Catholic Church “works with determination for its abolition worldwide.”