NCJ Number
174832
Date Published
1997
Length
208 pages
Annotation
The author makes moral, academic, and practical arguments for eliminating the death penalty, which he regards as government- sanctioned killing of human beings.
Abstract
Drawing on Biblical resources and social arguments, the author shows the death penalty harms rather than helps in the quest for a just and humane society. He uses research data to prove the death penalty is not effective in fighting crime, costs more than life sentences, reinforces poverty and racism, and causes innocent persons to be executed. In presenting both religious and secular arguments against the death penalty, the author focuses on Old and New Testament perspectives from the Bible, historical developments in opposition to the death penalty, and social and psychological evidence indicating the death penalty does not deter. The author also examines the imposition of the death penalty for repeat and mentally retarded offenders, the impact of the death penalty on families of victims, race issues in imposing the death penalty, effects of the death penalty on society, and the issue of cruel and unusual punishment. Appendixes contain important legal cases related to capital punishment, religious and international statements on the death penalty, quotes on the death penalty, and a list of death penalty abolitionist groups. References, notes, and tables