When turning on the television, radio, or simply reading the local newspaper,
one is overwhelmed with news of arrests, murders, homicides, serial killers, and
other serious crimes. It is rare not to go through a day in this world and not
hear of these things. Still, some government officials in our country seem a bit
uncertain about what steps to take in order to minimize the actions of serious
or potential offenders. Not only is it committing a crime, but also today, it is
ending ones life, either physically or in a prison cell. This is a risk one is
taking when he decides to stab someone with a knife or pull a trigger, but is it
really up to our justice system to decide one's fate? There are many issues that
address this question of capital punishment such as religion, the effect on
society, restitution being denied, the possible "wrongly accused", and
the rights of the convicted. But how often do these concepts creep into the
publics mind when it hears of our “fair and trusty” government taking away
someone's breathing rights? The bible states, "Thou shall not kill,"
and this being a sin should have to be corrected within oneself. On the other
hand, it also states, "Don't judge others personal convictions." It is
a government's responsibility to punish people that disobey the law to keep the
world in order, but is it their right to take their lives away? It is a
Christian's responsibility to point out to those who sin that they do so and
this country, trusting in God as it says it does, should do just that. Some
people think that restitution is granted when one is sentenced to the death
penalty. However, if a loved one is murdered and his family feels justice in
having the murderer go through the same, is it not considered equally wrong?
Forgiving and forgetting are entirely out of the question, but one should
consider the concept of regret and remorse. Just as one feels terrible when
wrongfully drives through their neighbors yard, surely a murderer may feel the
same. One is only human and no one can expect any more. A mistake is a mistake,
no matter whom it may harm or what destruction it may cause. There's always the
chance of the innocent being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A handful of
evidence from a strong lawyer could sentence someone to life in prison, and even
the death penalty. One could be spending and ending his life in captivity for
simply walking down the wrong street on the wrong day. Should he have to serve
the time that's not rightfully his and take the needle that shouldn't prick his
skin? It's a small fault in the justice system that is not easy to overcome, but
that's someone's life, and not knowing the truth could be devastating. Abraham
Lincoln declared, "All men are created equal." This statement of truth
has obviously been left out of consideration in the court room. Everyone
deserves a second chance because they are all capable of reformation. The
offender should have the chance to go back into the world and prove himself
honorable. If solving corruption with immorality is the world's remedy for
reconciliation, then why not chop off the thief's hand? "An eye for an
eye" was the justice of the past. It is now a modern world based on logic
and transformation. Should a government commit a crime to justify another? If
capital punishment was solely based on punishing the wrongdoers, there would be
no one left to inject the needle or pull the lever on.