Does method of execution, crime committed or overall cost matter to you?
I think even one innocent person being executed makes it all not worth it. Though that may be clouded by the facts, it doesn’t deter crime and it costs more than life imprisonment.
In a perfect world, I think the death penalty could have a deterrence effect for white collar crime. I’d support the death penalty in that case. The line I draw where the death penalty is deserved is when someone systematically makes the world a worse place. Even serial killers don’t reach that threshold for me.
There’s no world where we can do that without ever executing an innocent person though. So I am firmly against the death penalty.
In terms of view. Yes. I am against it. In terms of using it as a bargaining chip to pass other annoying laws quid pro quo like it, no.
Not really, but I’m not against it. When you remember that in order to even get the death penalty, you have to be such a horrible person that you’re pretty much no longer human, I don’t see a problem with it. And then there is also the issue of the government has to pay potentially millions of dollars every years just for keeping you in prison/jail, so it also has financial benefits (not that the government needs more money, especially considering the fact that they constantly waste it on meaningless bullshit).
But I am also aware of the potential problems, like innocent people getting the death penalty. As a result, I think the death penalty should only be used in situations where there is absolutely no possibility of innocence. This means that the motive is clear and proven, and the evidence for even committing the crime(s) is/are solid.
When you remember that in order to even get the death penalty, you have to be such a horrible person that you’re pretty much no longer human
This is just absolutely not true. Throughout history countless innocent people have been executed not because of the facts, but because they were unable to defend themselves against the accusations. Meanwhile, many wealthy or powerful people have been guilty but never even charged with a crime. In fact, the nature of a crime has almost zero correlation with the sentence.
I mean, yes, but I can tell that you didn’t read my full comment before replying. I literally stated that I was aware of this issue in my second paragraph.
I know, I’m adding to what you said. I’m saying unfairness is not an “issue” of capital punishment, it’s how it is, always has been, and is impossible to do without unfairness.
I am personally not against the death penalty for some crimes if the culprit is indeed responsible but there are too many people in prison for crimes they didn’t commit already, so the burden of proof needs to be exceptional. Also, I’ve heard before that it’s actually more costly for states and tax payers to impose the death penalty because of all the built-in appeals, with the costs of the court system and attorney fees, than it is to house someone in prison for life. I further think that those convicted should have the option to choose the death penalty and type of execution for themselves, á la Gary Gilmore.
I think the death penalty is silly even from an evil standpoint, death is a kind release compared to life in an American prison.
Are you saying prisons in America are a cruel and/or unusual punishment?
If you truly believe that all humans are equal then you must also believe that it is impossible for one to stand in judgment of another. I believe that killing is wrong because it is one human standing in judgement of another. Society has a duty to protect its members, but judgement and the concept of “punishment” is something that should be left to God.
the concept of “punishment” is something that should be left to God
If a Christian kills an atheist child, the child goes to hell and the Christian can just “repent” and go to heaven.
God is not just.
Also, by this logic, it literally doesn’t matter to the Christian whether he is executed or not because he’s going to heaven anyway, because God doesn’t actually give a shit whether you’re good or evil, just whether you think he’s actually God. So why should the rest of us hellbound mortals have to deal with him for the rest of his natural life?
That’s not really how that works, at all.
Heaven is almost certainly not real, and I didn’t mention that. I only mentioned God as as example of something “greater” than man. I did not say God or heaven was real.
You’re the one who brought God into this.
I’d be against it even if we could magically know without a doubt the person’s guilty. Even if it had a negative cost. Even for raping a child.
Life is sacred, whatever “sacred” means for an atheist like me.
(And I was raped as a child, fwiw.)I agree, but for a different reason. I don’t think life is sacred, but as an atheist I do think people get off the hook too easily if they’re just killed. I think it’s fair for them to suffer the rest of their lifetime, just like the victims did.
I think it’s wrong to knowingly inflict suffering in others in any capacity.
It’s fine for other people, but I wouldn’t want it for myself.
Same
Strongly against the state having the option.
I’m strongly against death penalty when it comes to crimes of individual against individual.
I am for death penalty when it comes to crimes of influential individual against masses though.
A murderer or rapist who ruined one life doesn’t deserve death penalty. A corrupt politician who ruined countless lives cooperating with the billionaires does.
I don’t fully understand the rational. Is there a specific number of victims that would make them “deserve” it. Say you have a serial rapist with over a dozen victims, do they not deserve it because they aren’t an authority figure?
Yup. It should not be a thing.
I am all for it. I can think of dozens of reasons that people should be put down.
Does the method of execution matter to me? Yes.
Does the crime matter? Absolutely
Does the cost matter? No.
Yes. No one knows what happens when you die, no one truly knows if someone is guilty, no judicial system is perfect etc etc. Too much risk for the reward of killing someone (with a 10 ish percent of being innocent)
I think the death penalty could be just, but, unfortunately our justice system is too capricious and dysfunctional to be worthy of administering it.
Yeah, its tough because I feel like if we KNOW a person has commited atrocities, kill em. But, there have been so many cases of wrongful conviction it gets messy.
the state should never enforce the death penalty. remove any hierarchical structures keeping together the justice system and bring in a community council operating under direct democracy and subject to regulation and recall. make sure the people ultimately have the power if corruption is suspected.
the death penalty should be a true rarity for extreme cases. i am currently unsure what i would consider for my own beliefs but i do know rehabilitation should be prioritized regardless.
