Death penalty: is it worth it?Capital punishment has been used throughout history. The severity of the crime varies in this country and in many other countries where the death penalty has been used. We assume that fear of punishment or justice will deter murder. The fact is that there is no reason to maintain the death penalty. The reason why the death penalty is used instead of life in prison is seen as a means to deter criminal acts. The evidence shows that this does not deter crime, but actually increases it. The cost of trial, conviction, and ultimately execution of a death sentence costs far more than keeping a criminal in a penitentiary for life without the possibility of parole. Is it morally correct to sentence someone to death even if they have committed the most heinous crime? Whatever the crime committed, killing is wrong. Some points to consider are that those sentenced to death remain in prison for an average of 18 years before the action of execution is carried out. A person's death sentence is irreversible. Since the beginning of this century, 25 people have been unjustly put to death. Anything involving even a single mistake like this is unacceptable. Executions add to the glorification of violence that already exists too much in our society. It dehumanizes us; it legitimizes murder; this leads to the loss of civilized society. No other major democracy uses the death penalty. No other major democracy, in fact, few countries of any kind are plagued by a murder rate such as that of the United States. The abolition of the death penalty is considered desirable under international law and has become an unstoppable reality throughout the world. the last decade... middle of paper ... ely, but not with death. In the book Exodus, chapter two, verses eleven through twelve, Moses kills an Egyptian for striking a Hebrew, covers up his crime, and flees when he learns that the Pharaoh seeks to execute him. Many years later, God takes this exiled murderer and transforms him into the liberator of the Hebrews. Instead of executing him, God makes Moses an instrument of saving justice. Matthew 6:12-15 makes it clear that forgiveness is not optional for those who follow Jesus. In the only prayer Jesus ever taught his disciples, we beg God to “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,” knowing that our failure to forgive makes us unfit for God’s reign. the wrongs they have committed, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive you for the wrongs you have committed ;