Death penalty: Abolish or Retain
Should the death penalty be abolished in the United States? Author/Lawyer Bryan Stevenson is against the death penalty and uses his book, Just Mercy, about the experiences of those he has represented to explain his point of view. He shares the plight of several individuals condemned to death row or death in prison, including Walter McMillian, Herbert Richardson, and Joe Sullivan. He describes the death penalty as a modern continuation of lynching that re-enslaves black people. Some are for the death penalty for various reasons either personal, religious, economic, etc. Often when I have discussions on the subject the most common statement made in favor of the death penalty is that the punishment should fit the crime. If faced with the decision to participate in an execution; I don’t believe these individuals would have the same opinion. I am firmly against the death penalty for the following reasons; it is against Christianity, there is too much human influence, and the mentally ill and juvenile offenders are not excluded. “Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
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It is an archaic and barbaric practice of justice. It is beyond our power to be able to take another’s life based on religious beliefs, and punishment of that nature should be left in the hands of God. This is a practice that has condemned and executed many innocent individuals. I know compassion in the face of tragedy, despair, and wrongdoing is a difficult concept to fathom. Many feel that if a mentally ill or juvenile offender was well enough or cognitive enough to murder then they should be given the ultimate punishment. Let’s not forget that these individuals may be innocent. Perhaps coerced by a corrupt/imbalanced justice system. It is time for a change, and as a society, we should follow the lead of Bryan Stevenson and choose empathy and mercy over