Students voice opinions on death penalty
Immorality of the Death Penalty
Kyle Davis
Issue date: 12/2/09 Section: Voices
The last time I remember questioning my opinion on the death penalty was in eighth grade. However, with Drury University's convocation series "Spirituality and Justice," the death penalty issue has been brought back into my mind.
After reading "The Exonerated" and hearing Helen Prejean speak about the death penalty, I have begun to question my original position of supporting the death penalty.
In eighth grade, I did not believe a person convicted of a crime and put on death row could actually be innocent. I thought that the death penalty would eradicate murderers, so that we, the American people, would not have to spend tax dollars taking care of them in jail.
When I faced the moral question of the death penalty, I believed that it would prevent the deaths of future victims.
I believed that we were not killing an inmate simply to kill, but that we were killing the inmate in order to protect innocent lives. I also thought that the death penalty acted as a deterrent.
However, now that I am a sophomore in college, I am beginning to change my opinion on the death penalty. Now I understand that some innocent people have been convicted of murder and put on death row.
Data from the Death Penalty Information Center shows that 138 people have been exonerated since 1973. This data demonstrates that there is the possibility that innocent people could be put to death for crimes or murders they did not commit.
How could we morally risk killing an innocent person on death row? This data has made me question whether the death penalty should be a punishment in our criminal system. Now when I face the moral question of the death penalty, I consider how we are challenged to forgive and love our enemies.
However, I am not saying there should not be a punishment for murder. I am saying that the punishment should come with forgiveness and that the death penalty does not allow the chance for forgiveness.
The only thing the death penalty offers is revenge for the victim's family. There are better options, such as life sentences, which still provide justice for the victim's family and allow a chance for forgiveness.
After reading "The Exonerated" and hearing Helen Prejean speak about the death penalty, I have begun to question my original position of supporting the death penalty.
In eighth grade, I did not believe a person convicted of a crime and put on death row could actually be innocent. I thought that the death penalty would eradicate murderers, so that we, the American people, would not have to spend tax dollars taking care of them in jail.
When I faced the moral question of the death penalty, I believed that it would prevent the deaths of future victims.
I believed that we were not killing an inmate simply to kill, but that we were killing the inmate in order to protect innocent lives. I also thought that the death penalty acted as a deterrent.
However, now that I am a sophomore in college, I am beginning to change my opinion on the death penalty. Now I understand that some innocent people have been convicted of murder and put on death row.
Data from the Death Penalty Information Center shows that 138 people have been exonerated since 1973. This data demonstrates that there is the possibility that innocent people could be put to death for crimes or murders they did not commit.
How could we morally risk killing an innocent person on death row? This data has made me question whether the death penalty should be a punishment in our criminal system. Now when I face the moral question of the death penalty, I consider how we are challenged to forgive and love our enemies.
However, I am not saying there should not be a punishment for murder. I am saying that the punishment should come with forgiveness and that the death penalty does not allow the chance for forgiveness.
The only thing the death penalty offers is revenge for the victim's family. There are better options, such as life sentences, which still provide justice for the victim's family and allow a chance for forgiveness.
Article last update: 12/1/09 at 6:19 PM CST
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Dudley Sharp
posted 12/05/09 @ 3:14 PM CST
Sister Prejean, "The Exonerated" and the DPIC are an excellent foundation for anti death penalty considerations.
However, it would be a mistake to use them as the basis to switch from pro death penalty to anti death penalty, without first fact checking both of those sources, first, and doing furthing investigation. (Continued…)
Donna Walmsley
posted 12/05/09 @ 8:30 PM CST
I appreciate the comments of Kyle Davis on Sr. Helen Prejean's presentation at Drury University on October 15. I, too, attended the presentation and reflected on how the death penalty could have become public policy in Missouri. (Continued…)
Dudley Sharp
posted 12/05/09 @ 9:54 PM CST
The primary purpose of sanction is justice, which contributes to the common good.
In addition, all criminal sanctions offer protection for society in, at least, two ways, incapacitation and deterrence. (Continued…)
order brides
posted 3/23/10 @ 9:45 AM CST
I thank you for the opportunity to share a portion of my moments in time with future generations.
Post a Comment