Religious Attitudes Towards the Death Penalty (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

The debate around the death penalty

• The death penalty means the state putting criminals who have committed the worst crimes to death as a punishment 

• It has not been used in the UK since 1969 but is still a common punishment elsewhere in the world for crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, and rape

• The purpose of the death penalty is

  • to punish the most severe crimes

  • to bring justice to the victims and their families

  • to act as a deterrent to others and prevent further crime

  • to stop that person from committing the serious crime again

There are two main ideas to consider when arguing for and against the death penalty: the principle of utility and the sanctity of life

Image: Ethical principles for capital punishment

• The principle of utility (also known as utilitarianism)

  • An action is right if it promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

• The sanctity of life

  • All life is holy as it is created by God

Ethical arguments in support of the death penalty

• The principle of utility: putting the offender to death protects the rest of society. Better to execute one person to protect the greater number of people in society

• It makes society safer

• It acts as a deterrent to others and prevents further serious crime

• It stops the criminal reoffending

• It is retribution: a person who takes away a life deserves to have their life taken

• The sanctity of life: all life is precious and God-given, and the person who takes away the gift of life deserves to have their life taken

Ethical arguments against the death penalty

• Sanctity of life: all life is precious and God-given, so only God has the right to take life away.

• It is murder which is always wrong

• It does not allow for reformation of the criminal

• It goes against the human rights of the criminal

• History shows it is not an effective deterrent

• Risk of error: if the wrong person is convicted the sentence can never be overturned

Christian attitudes to the death penalty

Christian arguments for the death penalty

• The death penalty is justified in the Old Testament

• ‘Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed’ (Genesis 9:6)

• Some Christians believe in retribution - since they have taken life, they should lose the right to their own

• ‘An eye for an eye’ (Exodus 21:24) 

• The death penalty gives justice to the victim and their family

• The sanctity of life means that no one should take the life of another without losing their own life

• Jesus never said the death penalty was wrong

• The death penalty was used in the Middle Ages for people who challenged Church authority

• St Paul said that everyone should obey the laws of the government, which may include supporting the death penalty

Christian arguments against the death penalty

• The sanctity of life means no one but God should ever take a life

• It breaks one of the Ten Commandments ‘You shall not murder’ (Exodus 20:13)

• Jesus taught his followers not to follow ‘an eye for an eye’ but instead to ‘turn the other cheek’ (Matthew 5: 38-39)

• It does not allow for reformation of the criminal since their death is the final

• It goes against the human rights and dignity of the criminal

• History shows it is not an effective deterrent

• Risk of error: if the wrong person is convicted the sentence can never be overturned

• Church leaders including Pope Francis have spoken out against the death penalty

Muslim Attitudes to the Death Penalty

Muslim arguments for the death penalty

• The Qur’an supports the death penalty for certain crimes ‘crimes which are punishable by death’ (Qur’an 5:32)

• Shari’ah law permits the death penalty for certain crimes, such as adultery

• Some Muslims support retribution and the death penalty provides justice for the victim and their family

• ‘Do not take life, which God has made sacred, except by right’ (Qur’an 6:151)

• The death penalty is seen as an effective deterrent

Muslim arguments against the death penalty

• The sanctity of life means no one but Allah should ever take a life

• The Qur’an teaches that those who show mercy will be rewarded (Qur’an 5:45)

• Muslim scholars differ in their approach - there is no one unified view on the topic

• Some Muslims allow the victim or family to receive compensation or ‘blood money’ instead of imposing the death penalty

• In countries where the death penalty is outlawed, Muslims accept the law of the land

• Alternative punishments such as prison also protect society and provide the chance of reform

• Everyone will ultimately face the judgement of Allah on the Day of Judgement