Should the death penalty be legal ?
One of the all too noticeable aspects of society, and the world we live in is crime, and punishment. Across cultural boundaries what is considered a crime is varied but one issue that must be addressed is punishment. In this article what I will attempt to do is present a fair, and balanced exploration of the death penalty.
What I shall attempt to find out is if the death penalty is a decent punishment in certain circumstances or if it should be applied accordingly with great thought.
Firstly no one ever really gains from a criminal act of course the more cynical minded among us will point to the police, and the legal eagles. However in fairness those involved in law, and order, or the legal dealings of this world no more relish high crime rates, or seeing people in the back of squad cars.
They are people just doing a job like anyone, and take no enjoyment in criminality as many of those who work in protecting us, and upholding the law worry that someday it might be their Son, or Daughter going away to the big house.
Now lets look at a situation a man murders his wife, strangles her with an extension chord, and burns her body in an open pit. Should he be executed, or given life imprisonment?. Judging from the scenario involved he brutally butchered his spouse, and rid himself of her remains almost as savagely.
Of course many of us looking at this case would think more critically beyond the initial details of murder, and concealment of a crime. We would look at the persons mental stability when the crime occurred, and evidence of premeditation.
However despite the need to think critically when examining the issue of crime, and punishment the one concern we should have above all else is human liberty. The question that is most needed to bring this concern to the forefront is does one human have the right to take the life of another?
For me the answer is no, and I cannot really hide this fact we only have one life, and if another extinguishes it's flame then it can be argued the perpetrator deserves the same.
Despite this realization I understand criteria such as mental condition should be considered in sentencing. It is arguable though that life imprisonment is a effective death sentence, and even crueler than being executed. Think about the mental, and spiritual decay of staring at blank walls each day until you die.
Knowing you will never spend time with your friends outside of prison walls is enough to drive most people to despair, and self-destruction. Looking at a different situation lets say in the context of a Muslim society. Imagine being a woman being killed by a member of your own family for bringing shame upon your kin.
The crime is you wish not to become engaged in a arranged marriage, and in fact love a woman. If it is possible to think about this in a rational manner. Deciding to enter a partnership is a serious life time commitment.
A commitment where a person should be allowed to think about the consequences, and decide for themselves. Now I do not know about you but I personally do not feel such a situation warrants a death sentence.
Last time I checked deciding for ones self in life is not a horrible thing to do. No one is hurt except the would be spouse but it takes two if a marriage is going to work. As I have pointed out their are times when a death penalty should be carried out.
These times include where their is a clear violation of human liberty, and concealment of a crime. However reasons against the death penalty are convincing especially when it is used to deny human liberty. Overall their are clear cut arguments for, and against the use of the death penalty. However as this is an issue of fundamental importance life, and death the soul hand that pulls the switch must be that of the public's decision.
Despite this realization I understand criteria such as mental condition should be considered in sentencing. It is arguable though that life imprisonment is a effective death sentence, and even crueler than being executed. Think about the mental, and spiritual decay of staring at blank walls each day until you die.
Knowing you will never spend time with your friends outside of prison walls is enough to drive most people to despair, and self-destruction. Looking at a different situation lets say in the context of a Muslim society. Imagine being a woman being killed by a member of your own family for bringing shame upon your kin.
The crime is you wish not to become engaged in a arranged marriage, and in fact love a woman. If it is possible to think about this in a rational manner. Deciding to enter a partnership is a serious life time commitment.
A commitment where a person should be allowed to think about the consequences, and decide for themselves. Now I do not know about you but I personally do not feel such a situation warrants a death sentence.
Last time I checked deciding for ones self in life is not a horrible thing to do. No one is hurt except the would be spouse but it takes two if a marriage is going to work. As I have pointed out their are times when a death penalty should be carried out.
These times include where their is a clear violation of human liberty, and concealment of a crime. However reasons against the death penalty are convincing especially when it is used to deny human liberty. Overall their are clear cut arguments for, and against the use of the death penalty. However as this is an issue of fundamental importance life, and death the soul hand that pulls the switch must be that of the public's decision.
