Atheist and the Death penalty

[KUSA]

I'm all for it. Especially with the population getting out of control. It's time we took a stand.

[abaris]

I'm all for it. Especially with the population getting out of control. It's time we took a stand.

So, are you volunteering, with the population getting out of control?

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Everyone seems to be asking why it is justifiable to execute some criminals, can anyone answer why not? Is human life sacred or is the risk of killing an innocent person too high?

I just think the death penalty is a reflection of an archaic system not worthy of an enlightened and advanced state.

Are the costs involved in keeping and hopefully reforming a prisoner for an indeterminate length of time (life perhaps) higher? Yes. Does it seem a light punishment to simply confine a person who has committed murder and taken someone's life? Debatable, but even if yes, I don't think that's still a justification, just utilitarian end justifies the means approach to saving money.

No justice system that doesn't have access to perfect information is infallible, hence no system can say without any doubt that nobody who they have killed is innocent. Some are of course sure bets, where the evidence is overwhelming that they are guilty. But still, the idea of the state (or indeed anyone) being legally mandated to excecute people doesn't sit well with me.

I am willing to incur the costs of confining and reforming even if those costs are higher in financial terms. Of course, it's an entire different debate as to whether it makes any sense at all to discuss this topic in terms of finances.

[KUSA]

I'm all for it. Especially with the population getting out of control. It's time we took a stand.

So, are you volunteering, with the population getting out of control?

I did my part. I got snipped so I'm just shooting blanks now.

[Handprint]

Everyone seems to be asking why it is justifiable to execute some criminals, can anyone answer why not? Is human life sacred or is the risk of killing an innocent person too high?

I believe the anti-death penalty crowd also mentioned that they consider life in prison to be a greater punishment as well.

So that's a 3rd argument for their position that's been brought up.

---

It's okay for them to die, and I think they should die, period.

You guys are speaking in abstract concepts here. As in, the abstract concept of the death penalty as an institution, while I am thinking in specifics. Of how these murderers treated their victims and their psychology in terms of how they view other people generally and are repeat offenders that only dole out suffering to their victim's families and their community at large. Or their murders were so egregious and horrible, that they obtained the death penalty as a sentence.

They deserve death.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grim_Sleeper

Perhaps when you can fashion a system which does not kill innocent people, you might make some good sledding. But until then, your points above are simply an appeal to emotion bereft of any sound reasoning supporting your position.

When you said "might make some good sledding" what did you mean? Not familiar with that phrase. 

Also, I disagree with you that my points are an appeal to emotion bereft of any sound reasoning.

[strawdawg]

I think killing another human is wrong, no matter who's doing it.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Everyone seems to be asking why it is justifiable to execute some criminals, can anyone answer why not? Is human life sacred or is the risk of killing an innocent person too high?

I believe the anti-death penalty crowd also mentioned that they consider life in prison to be a greater punishment as well.

So that's a 3rd argument for their position that's been brought up.

---

Perhaps when you can fashion a system which does not kill innocent people, you might make some good sledding. But until then, your points above are simply an appeal to emotion bereft of any sound reasoning supporting your position.

When you said "might make some good sledding" what did you mean? Not familiar with that phrase. 

Also, I disagree with you that my points are an appeal to emotion bereft of any sound reasoning.

"Heavy sledding" means hard going, an uphill battle. Good sledding is its opposite.

As for deploying emotion in place of reasoning, it's shot throughout the post of yours I quoted, in citing the feelings of the victims rather than, say, the interest the state has in seeing that justice impartial.

[Cephus]

but:

But in all cases, the majority of people are in favor of it, whether you're looking at religious service attendance or religious preference.  Those who favor the death penalty outweigh those who do not by a healthy margin across the board.

[Javaman]

I think killing another human is wrong, no matter who's doing it.

Came here to say this. If it's wrong to kill another human being, then why is the death penalty okay?

I realize that there are a few situations where killing another person is justified, but I can't see any way that a person locked up behind bars in a high security facility could possibly fit into any such scenario.

But my opinion is not a function of my atheism.

[Catholic_Lady]

Is there a common view among Atheist about the Death Penalty? Is everyone different and matters like this solely personal? On passive/ aggressive where would most Atheist fall? Just asking.

Hi Strawdawg. :

I actually started a poll about this here on AF some time ago. Feel free to check it out!

http://atheistforums.org/thread-34075.html

It seems most atheists (at least on here) are against it.