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Jabrail Ahmed
Laurie Oberg
Language Arts 11
30 October 2015
Death Penalty
In the United States we have the option that if someone has done an unbelievable crime
that they shall be sentenced to death. Many say the reason to keep the death penalty is because it
keeps law and order also because it is cheaper than life imprisonment. In an article written by
ProCon.Org Should the Death Penalty Be Allowed? The article shows the two sides of the
argument between the death penalty and giving good reasoning why you could vote either way
most people may not agree but for me the death penalty should not be allowed.
Why the death penalty should be allowed most will argue because it is inexpensive and
keeps people in line to follow the law. Many will continue to say that it is revenge for the victim
and will continue to help the grieving families and will make sure that the perpetrator will never
commit another crime and will harm no one else. People who challenge the death penalty say
that the government gets to take a human life continuing saying the perpetuates social injustices
by having targeting people of color and people who cannot afford good representation also
known as an attorney. People will later prove that lifetime sentences are more severe than the
death penalty.
Is the death penalty a fair chance for everyone? The death penalty is fair because most
already know things like that racial bias and ethnic discrimination is unavoidable in the
administration in the capital punishment in America. The death sentences that are imposed in the
justice system will treat you better if you are rich and guilty rather than poor and innocent. If in

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agreement with statement most would look at it in a different perspective like the judge has a
taken an oath to use the laws and has not been given to over extend them with his own beliefs.
On the contrary if a judge feels a strong disbelief about the death penalty he can go beyond just
resignation and lead a political campaign to get rid of the death penalty, but he can never rewrite
the laws.
Is the death penalty supported by the Constitution? The Fifth Amendment on the death
penalty No one can be told to answer for capital punishment or otherwise infamous crime unless
presented to a grand jury except in cases that are arising in the land or naval forces or in the
militia in actual service in a time of war or public danger. No person shall be subjected for the
same offence twice as well as being put in jeopardy of life or limb and cannot be a witness
against himself. Most importantly cant be deprived of life, liberty or property without due
process of law nor shall private property be taken for public use without compensation. The Fifth
Amendment which is "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land
or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall
any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty,
or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use,
without just compensation."(Amendment V). The death penalty doesnt agree because the person
cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property and also they cannot be subjected for the same
offense twice and continuing should not be a witness against himself. On the Eighth Amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted. B. (Amendment VIII). The death penalty also conflicts with the Eighth

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Amendment VIII because there should be no cruel and unusual punishment. The Fourteenth
Amendment All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States and the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or
enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States;
nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor
deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. (Amendment XIV).
The use of capital punishment includes discrimination on the basis of race, gender, and even the
social class. The bias violates the Amendment guarantee that all persons will have equal
protection under the law also specifically sentencing to death for a crime of murder is a violation
of the Fourteenth and Eighth Amendments to the constitution. People that dont think that the
death penalty violates the Fourteenth Amendment could agree with this. The death penalty for
the crime of a murder has a long history of acceptance both in the United States and in England.
The common rule was a mandatory death sentence on all convicted murderers.
Religious views on the death penalty. Buddhist on the death penalty first they hold life to
a very high regard. The Precept of Buddhism requires people to abstain from killing or injuring
all living creatures. Through the time of research there has been Buddhist involvement in
Southeast Asian countries with the use of the death penalty. Evidence proves that capital
punishment has been used in India in 400 to 500 B.C. Christianity on the death penalty. The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
regards the question of whether and in what circumstances the state should impose capital
punishment as a matter to be decided solely by the prescribed processes of civil law. We neither
promote nor oppose capital punishment."(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated
in the "Public Issues" section of the Church's official website (accessed July 25, 2008)). This

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stand on the death penalty is neutral saying how the law decides is the way we will leave it.
Judaism on the death penalty it say this "According to the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 1:4) the death
penalty could only be inflicted, after trial, by a Sanhedrin composed of twenty-three judges and
there were four types of death penalty (Sanhedrin 7:1): stoning, burning, slaying (by the sword),
and strangling. A bare reading of these and the other accounts in the tractate would seem to
suggest a vast proliferation of the death penalty. Yet, throughout the Talmudic literature, this
whole subject is viewed with unease, so much so that according to the rules stated in that
literature the death penalty could hardly ever have been imposed." They agree with the death
penalty but it is in only certain ways or forms also can be agreed that it has hardly been imposed.
In Islam on the death penalty says this from the Quran it says "[5.32]...whoever slays a soul,
unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and
whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men; and certainly Our apostles came to
them with clear arguments, but even after that many of them certainly act extravagantly in the
land. Also this [6.151]...do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except for the
requirements of justice; this He has enjoined you with that you may understand." From this we
see that killing should only be done for the righteous reasons and in many situations that is not
the case. In many of religions the death penalty was not supported or it was neutral or was
agreed.
The article shows the two sides of the argument between the death penalty and giving
good reasoning why you could vote either way most people may not agree but for me the death
penalty should not be allowed. In an article written by ProCon.Org Should the Death Penalty Be
Allowed? In the United States we have the option that if someone has done an unbelievable

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crime that they shall be sentenced to death. Many say the reason to keep the death penalty is
because it keeps law and order also because it is cheaper than life imprisonment.
ProCon.org. "Top 10 Pros and Cons." ProCon.org. 13 Apr. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.
ProCon.org. "Does Buddhism Support the Death Penalty?" ProCon.org. 20 Aug. 2008. Web. 11
Nov. 2015.
ProCon.org. "Does Christianity Support the Death Penalty?" ProCon.org. 6 Jan. 2009. Web. 11
Nov. 2015
ProCon.org. "Does Judaism Support the Death Penalty?" ProCon.org. 31 July 2008. Web. 11
Nov. 2015.
ProCon.org. "Does Islam Support the Death Penalty?" ProCon.org. 1 Aug. 2008. Web. 11 Nov.
2015.
ProCon.org. "Is the death penalty unconstitutional?" ProCon.org. 6 June 2013. Web. 11 Nov.
2015.