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Many faith communities oppose the death penalty. Why?
Because they are convinced that human life, even of someone who had committed a terrible crime, is of infinite worth and cannot rightfully be taken by human decision makers.
Because they honor the biblical mandate not to seek retribution for evil.
Because they are convinced that we must always allow for repentance and redemption.
Because they are committed to justice and reject a penalty that is sought most often for the poor and vulnerable.
Because they are committed to reconciliation and rehabilitation as best expressing what God requires of us.
In 2001, Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty honored Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer with the C.A. Sorensen Award for her work to abolish the death penalty in Nebraska. In 2002, Sr. Christine Elias received the C.A. Sorensen Award for her dedicated efforts to bring the problem to public attention.
Other public statements by faith communities regarding the death penalty:
| The United Methodist Church cannot accept retribution or social
vengeance as reason for taking human life. It violates our deepest
belief in God as the creator and the redeemer of humankind. In this
respect, there can be no assertion that human life can be taken humanely
by the state. Indeed, the use of the death penalty by the state will
increase the acceptance of revenge in our society and will give official
sanction to a climate of violence. United Methodist Church |
"...following Jesus leads to a commitment to restorative justice.
This commitment means addressing the hurt of each person whose life
has been touched by violent crime. Restorative justice makes the community
safer for all. Executions focus on the convicted murderer, providing
very little for the victim's family or anyone else whose life has
been touched by crime. Capital punishment focuses on retribution,
sometimes reflecting a spirit of vengeance..." Evangelical Lutheran Church of America |
| "Whereas, ...the life of an individual is of infinite worth
in the sight of Almighty God; and the taking of such a human life
falls within the providence of Almighty God and not within the right
of Man; and..." "Whereas, a preponderance of religious bodies continue to oppose capital punishment as contrary to the concept of Christian-based love as revealed in the New Testament; and..." "Whereas, the institutionalized taking of human life prevents the fulfillment of Christian commitment to seek the redemption and reconciliation of the offender; and Whereas, there are incarceration alternatives for those who are too dangerous to be set free in society; therefore be it Resolved,...The Episcopal Church reaffirms its opposition to capital punishment..." The Episcopal Church |
"...we believe that the government's use of death as an instrument
of justice places the state in the role of God, who alone is sovereign;
and ...the use of the death penalty in a representative democracy places citizens in the role of executioner: 'Christians cannot isolate themselves from corporate responsibility, including responsibility for every execution, as well as for every victim..." Therefore the 197th General Assembly...Calls upon governing bodies and members to work for the abolition of the death penalty in those states which currently have capital punishment statues..." Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |
