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//how many lives are saved by deterring potential murderers The death penalty isn't about deterrence. It's about vengeance. At least to the family and friends
by crag 11y ago
//how many lives are saved by deterring potential murderers
The death penalty isn't about deterrence. It's about vengeance. At least to the family and friends of the victim.
Many in the US, for religious reasons, consider death to be the ultimate punishment. You know - "hell is that way".
But what if you don't believe in hell, or a judgement? Then death is an easy way out. Personally, I'd rather die than be thrown into a hole for 40 years.
So allow me to rephase:
//I'd think that it matters how many innocent people are executed vs how many people believe the criminal will suffer in hell.
Either way, i agree.
- developer2 11y agoThat makes no sense. If hell is for eternity, why would any religious nut care whether the criminal is executed sooner rather than let to rot and die in prison later? The end result would be the same.
- crag 11y ago//That makes no sense. If hell is for eternity, why would any religious nut care whether the criminal is executed sooner rather than let to rot and die in prison later Because they believe hell is more of a punishment. They'd rather see the criminal dead in hell, then sitting in a jail cell alive.
- alphydan 11y agoI think he/she meant it as a mathematical argument. Infinity + 20 = Infinity. So if Hell is eternal, it doesn't matter if you get there today or in 20 years.
- ZeroGravitas 11y agoI think that there's some basis for reading the Bible as saying that the dead don't arrive in heaven/hell until after the second coming occurs. I just googled this and discovered there's a Christianity Stack Exchange site. Seems to be no strong consensus on exactly when you get to heaven.