Mercy is expected from Christians - it is not expected as the norm from the governing powers who are expected, primarily, to execute justice. I am not saying that there cannot, on occasion, be a need for mercy - but that is entirely dependent on the prevailing circumstances.
Genesis 9:6 is unequivocal:
“Whoever sheds human blood,by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
has God made mankind."
Nothing Jesus said cancels out the lex talionis. Those who try to link it to turning the other cheek must know in their hearts that there is a clear distinction between society and the individual. End of.
There are a great many more things which I could have used across both testaments - but why labour a point that is already rock solid?
Arguments against capital punishment disingenuously tend to major on the possibility of mistakes - the very tiniest of figures which are actively decreasing to even lower levels, in any case, because of advances in forensic science. I say 'disingenuously' as the same people who argue thus do not attempt to scrap other social systems because there is possibility of error and/or death.
The abolitionists have not enhanced their cause by making a number of bogus claims for 'innocent people' being put to death in error.
In the UK, the cases of: Derek Bentley, Timothy Evans and James Hanratty have all been greatly misused - use this Blog's search engine for more details.
The fatuous argument that Jesus was wrongfully executed helps nobody. He was put to death because the Sanhedrin could not cope with his innocence.
In England and Wales, the abolition of hanging has cost thousands of lives since 1965 - with an incredibly increased homicide rate. This was a little strange as so few murderers were executed in the 20th century - but their deterrent effect was clearly sufficient.
Singapore executes murderers - virtually without exception - and has an astonishingly low murder rate which rarely reaches double figures in any year.
Deterrence is vital to a society - and we do not have it.
That 'the punishment should fit the crime' is a moral imperative in all societies. Anything more, anything less - is simply not justice.
My biggest reason for believing in capital punishment also comes from a moral base.
I cannot accept that any society can say to would-be killers - "You are free to kill whomsoever you wish - completely safe in the knowledge that your own life may never come under threat."
The only argument I ever entertain against my line of thinking is that there should be no capital punishment in any society whose leaders lack integrity. (No. I am not referring to politicos being self-serving and slimy but rather to despotic regimes. Such regimes will do as they please, anyway.)
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