Friday, February 02, 2007

European Attitudes towards the Death Penalty

I was somewhat surprised to see that European opposition to the death penalty was not stronger:
According to the same survey, 60% of Europeans are against capital punishment, while 38% are in favour. Support for abolition is most widespread in the south (80% of the Spanish population and 72% of Italians declare themselves opposed to the death penalty), while the British are divided on the issue (49% against and 48% in favour).

I was under the impression there was almost unanimous opposition, but apparently not. Maybe the UK will even bring it back some day!

I've never understood why opposition to the death penalty is as strong as it is, especially to the mere idea of it. I can understand the criticism of the implementation, which seems unfair in any many ways. But I often hear people say they oppose the "state" killing people under any circumstances. Presumably, though, they do not have a problem with a police officer killing someone who is trying to murder them. Thus, it can't really be an opposition to all state killing. So what's wrong with killing someone who has killed in a way that indicates a likelihood to kill again?

1 comment:

Barbara's Journey Toward Justice said...

A Book Recommendation- This Book changed my mind about the Death Penalty. Journey Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz. Journey Toward Justice is a testimony to the Triumph of the human Spirit and is a Memoir. Dennis Fritz was wrongfully convicted of murder after a swift trail. The only thing that saved him from the Death Penalty was a lone vote from a juror. Dennis Fritz was the other Innocent man mentioned in John Grisham's Book The Innocent Man. The Innocent Man by John Grisham is all about Ronnie Williamson, Dennis fritz's co-defendant Ronnie Williamson was sentenced to the Death Penalty. Both were exonerated after spending 12 years in prison. The real killer was one of the Prosecution's Key Witness. . John Grisham's The Innocent Man tells half the story. Dennis Fritz's Story needs to be heard. Look for his book in book stores or at Amazon.com. Toward Justice by Dennis Fritz, Publisher Seven Locks Press 2006. ..
Read about how he wrote hundreds of letters and appellate briefs in his own defense and immersed himself in an intense study of law. He was a school teacher and a ordinary man whose wife was brutally murdered in 1975 by a 17 year old neighbor and was raising his young daughter alone before he was accused.
Read about how he saw miracles and heard God Say "Trust Me". He never blamed the Lord and soley relied on his faith in God to make it through. He waited for God's time and never gave up.