By Ida Smith-Williams
News came out recently that a main ingredient used in lethal injections is no longer being produced, prompting speculations about how that would affect upcoming executions. Another article cited the case of a death row execution where the drugs used may have been defective causing the inmate to have a painful death. Could these help instigate the death of the death penalty? The use of the death penalty has been declining around the world. Only five countries still carry out executions: China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
All in favor of the death penalty say "aye." A recent Gallup poll shows that, in the case of a person convicted of murder, 64% of Americans support the use of the death penalty. The attitudes of the average American on this issue have remained steady in the last decade. In 1936, when Gallup first asked this question, 59% of Americans supported the death penalty. In 1994, 80% of Americans favored the death penalty, the highest it has ever been.
What do worshipers think about the death penalty? In 2001 and in 2008, the U.S. Congregational Life Survey asked this question: "Are there any cases in which you believe persons convicted of murder should receive the death penalty?" Worshipers agreed with the majority of Americans. The percentage of worshipers who support the use of the death penalty basically stayed the same from 63% in 2001 to 68% in 2008.
More mainline Protestants favor the death penalty than do conservative Protestants or Catholics.
This surprised me. I thought worshipers would be less likely to support the death penalty. The Pew Research Center reports that religion is a key factor in influencing many people's opinions about the death penalty. Nearly one-in-five (19%) say religion is the most important influence. Among death penalty opponents, one-third (32%) say religion is the most important influence. Only 13% of death penalty supporters say religion is a strong influence on their opinion.
Off with their heads. Supporters of the death penalty say the death penalty is needed. They believe it deters heinous crimes and sets an example for punishing those crimes. They justify it by saying "an eye for an eye." It may benefit the families of victims by allowing closure. Supporters also say it relieves prison overcrowding and saves taxpayer money.
Death to the death penalty? Death penalty opponents argue it is wrong to take a life. Murder rates are actually higher in those states that carry the death penalty than those that do not. In one study, respondents were evenly split on whether the death penalty deters criminals with 39% agreeing and 35% disagreeing. Four in five respondents (81%) believe innocent people have been executed in the United States. Studies show that the death penalty is applied unfairly, that certain groups (people of color, the poor) are more likely to receive the death penalty.
With the majority of Americans, including worshipers, still in favor of the death penalty, the death of the death penalty is not likely to happen soon.
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