“This hearing will now be in session,” the Supreme Court Chief Justice declared. A Texas man, Christopher Wilkins, could be facing the death sentence for killing two men. Capital punishment is defined as, “the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime,” (Oxford Dictionary). Some say that the death penalty is the correct response to a serious legal offense. Others declare capital punishment should be abolished because of its inhumanity, its opposition to mercy, and the Church is against it. The death sentence is strongly inhumane. It is very cruel of one to take the life of another, whether with an explanation or not. For justification of a crime, it is not needed to spare another life, the life of the offender. Any reason, whether great or small should not be valid enough to result in the ending of a life. Plenty firmly agree. Therefore, many protest against the death sentence. One sign pictured in a New Republic article states, “Why do we kill people who kill people to show killing is wrong?” To demonstrate to society that murder is inhumane, authorities kill the offenders. This is cruel and not logical. Furthermore, God does not desire to man to kill man. This is such an important concept as it is one of the Ten Commandments. The fifth of these clearly states, “You shall not kill.” Convicting offenders to capital punishment is an act of cruelty.
Instead of the act of the death sentence, mercy should be given. Our Lord is frequently compassionate