Is it justifiable to execute criminals?

Alot of this debate will be opinon, and obviously the UK government's opinion is that it is not justifiable as it has been abolished.


However, as a few have mentioned the threat of execution would not deter all criminals, but that is why the punishment is there in the first place, so people can be punished for their crimes not to deter.

I was speaking to someone a few months ago who said that it's a very religious way of doing things in that, you should repay for your sins through suffering. I don't know if this is true or not, so I say the next part in no confidence, as most of the UK is non religious, how is capital punishment justifiable?

thou shalt not kill.

under any circumstances, there are much more fitting punishments than death :)

Of course it deters people, harsher penalties deter people from committing crime. If you still don't think it does, well heres a better point; harsher penalities keep dangerous people off the streets. It seems this country is obsessed with what the criminals and their family will feel - who gives a damn what Ian Huntley feels about whether or not he should be executed?

This country needs a referendum on this issue as with many other issues, and then it can't be said that nobody wants it/people do want it anymore - the people would then get their say and not the politicians who seem to think they are morally above us in their opinions and views.

Never said it doesn't deter people, said it might not deter all people. Which is true.

As oli said, there are far better punishments that death anyway. Prison itself is a torture and frankly if I had the decision of prison and death, i'd choose death.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

Of course it deters people, harsher penalties deter people from committing crime. If you still don't think it does, well heres a better point; harsher penalities keep dangerous people off the streets. It seems this country is obsessed with what the criminals and their family will feel - who gives a damn what Ian Huntley feels about whether or not he should be executed?

This country needs a referendum on this issue as with many other issues, and then it can't be said that nobody wants it/people do want it anymore - the people would then get their say and not the politicians who seem to think they are morally above us in their opinions and views.

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Not all people are the same, some will still go out there and do it so no it doesn't deter all people. And yes, some people who have hearts do worry about the families of these people because often they've done nothing to warrant a member of their family being killed. The person themselves may have done, but that family will have the guilt of what the person has done and then the upset of having their family member killed. Personally I think if you're going to kill someone for revenge (which is what this is) then you deserve to be killed in the same way because you're no better than they are. Just because you think you have a higher moral reason for doing it does not make it right.

And no, a referendum on everything would not make these issues correct. Just because the majority of people believe something does not make it right. There are so many considerations to be taken into account with this issue and regardless of what you think some people aren't capable of taking them into account or giving them the importance that they require. For example, it has happened several times (that we know of, there may be more) where people have been killed when they were innocent. That cannot be taken back and it is beyond wrong.

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Originally Posted by Tash.

Not all people are the same, some will still go out there and do it so no it doesn't deter all people. And yes, some people who have hearts do worry about the families of these people because often they've done nothing to warrant a member of their family being killed. The person themselves may have done, but that family will have the guilt of what the person has done and then the upset of having their family member killed. Personally I think if you're going to kill someone for revenge (which is what this is) then you deserve to be killed in the same way because you're no better than they are. Just because you think you have a higher moral reason for doing it does not make it right.

And no, a referendum on everything would not make these issues correct. Just because the majority of people believe something does not make it right. There are so many considerations to be taken into account with this issue and regardless of what you think some people aren't capable of taking them into account or giving them the importance that they require. For example, it has happened several times (that we know of, there may be more) where people have been killed when they were innocent. That cannot be taken back and it is beyond wrong.

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Here is an example of the arrogance shown by politicians, we live in a democracy so the majority view counts, or should do. In that case then, as the vast majority of people don't read the manifestos of the political parties then they don't (in your logic) have the rights or expertise to vote or make that decision, so you might aswell just declare a dictatorship.

I've been meaning to post on this thread for ages. I agree with Ardemax. But sometimes in my mind it depends on what the criminal has done. If it's murder, intentionally ment to happen then yeah, maybe it is right then. But what if they got the suspect wrong? Then I believe it isn't right. I think maybe they should bring back the death penalty, but only execute with enough proof. If they don't have enough proof, then they can't. Confusing opinion, but yeah.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

Here is an example of the arrogance shown by politicians, we live in a democracy so the majority view counts, or should do. In that case then, as the vast majority of people don't read the manifestos of the political parties then they don't (in your logic) have the rights or expertise to vote or make that decision, so you might aswell just declare a dictatorship.

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I am not a politician and I don't ever plan on being one so it's not a politicians view point you just got there is it? And yes that could be argued to be the case. However, the election of a political party is not the difference between literal life and death so it's arguably not as important is it? You always take things too far, this debate has nothing to do with democracy versus dictatorship and the two cannot be compared.

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Originally Posted by invincible

thou shalt not kill.

under any circumstances, there are much more fitting punishments than death :)

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The one who has not committed sin, cast the first stone.

Tbh if we're quoting the Bible, I don't think we can punish anybody in any way?

wouldn't it be better to let them person to be in a cell living with what he done and if he/she has any concience this will prob be worse than death