Because there are some things only God can forgive.

I don't. I would make a terrible Christian juror for the prosecution at a murder trial. But I have never had my children raped and murdered either, so I have the luxury of giving you this answer. I doubt I would feel the same way if I'd had those experiences. +5

That is interesting,and it shows that there is many inconsistencies in this religion,and each one is based on convenience of thought.Do as I say ,not as I do.

Its about getting back to basics. Back in the day, there were no lawyers to warp the rules. You screwed up you paid the price. And forgiveness had its place, but it you knew there were actually consequences to your actions, you would think twice about raping and killing or robbing the local liquor store. You are supposed to forgive your fellow man, but not in the name of allowing people to not pay for their crimes.

because christian are not perfect. you can call yourself a christian and say your a follower of jesus christ, it's just words. it's your action that counts.

I think those who are on the fence about it struggle with the economic factors in addition to the moral considerations.

Fanatics of all religions believe in fanatic solutions. This way they could justify slavery over thousands of years as well as capital punishment. Fanatics think always that they are closer to their God and therefore think they are allowed to overtake the role of their god.

I feel it's because even though there is a commandment that says "Thou shall not Kill" Christians justify killing with a excerpt from the Bibile that says an "Eye for an Eye" or it's possible that since they don't have a hands on role in an execution they may not feel they are in violation of their Christian beliefs.

God calls for it. For murder. and for rape. Not for manslaughter. Only for premeditated murder.

There's no contradiction at all as the Bible endorses murder and capital punishment in many places.

http://www.bible.ca/ef/topical-the-bible-and-capital-punishment.htm

Catholics believe that capital punishment is only permissible when there is no other way to defend human lives. From a Catholic point of view: Jesus, John 8:1-11, spares a women guilty of adultery whom the Mosaic Law said should be stoned to death. If the guilty person's identity and responsibility has been fully determined then non-lethal means to defend and protect the people's safety from the aggressor are more in keeping with the common good and the dignity of the human person. The Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives. However in today's modern society, the capability of rendering the offender incapable of doing harm - without definitively taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically non-existent. For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2267: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art5.shtml#2267 With love in Christ.

Religious principles are different from legal systems enacted for running a State. Laws are enacted as per the requirements of the Society in a Particular State or Country. Interestingly Vatican City had Capital punishment from 1929 to 1969, but the State of Israel abolished Capital punishment in 1954.with the exceptions of conviction for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity.

Why wouldn't they, god believed in it.

Did Jesus contradict the theif beside HIM when HE was on the cross, that said, "we deserve what we get but HE doesn't?" NO...HIS SILENCE .....they were given the law, justice ,for being theives....and we are to live by the laws of the land we inhabit, whether a stranger there or a citizen...:) the Commandment says thou shalt not 'murder'....there is a time to kill, soldiers,police,self defense, death penalty,etc.....

I think there are two types of Christians. One type truly cherishes life and objects to the death penalty and abortion. The other type strenuously objects to abortion but at objection and defense of life stops at birth. The second type is typically represented as the fundamentalist, fire and damnation breed that is self righteous, judgmental and loud. The former type is usually Roman Catholics and liberal Christians that actually try to practice what they preach. They also tend to discount the old testament and describe the New Testament as a break from the old laws (and the crazy homicidal god -- that's me editorializing) Ironically, the fundamentalist type usually condemn the Catholics and describe their church as the "Whore of Babylon" when they get into their "Revelations" mode. [by-the-way, it is usually the fundamentalist type that go around down grading us blasphemers]

Probably the same reason why people who don't call themselves christians subscribe to the laws and rules of the government. We all answer to something even not in its entirety.

.. because God does. Only the Godless would imprison for life or eternity. "That" is cruel and unusual punishment. God's plan is that eventually the damned will exist no more. What would be the point in keeping them around if they can never be redeemed? Only humans would do such a thing.

Romans 13:1-4 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Though a government - take the proverbial beast of Revelations - be evil, nevertheless, it is the sword and the minister of God, for, "The powers that be are ordained of God." It is given to this power, ordained of God, his 'revenger' as the scripture describes it, to deal out recompense to the evildoers. This power is given not unto individual men, but unto the government, which is its own entity. Therefore, let the evildoes, "Be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain."

Because of the importance of the 'Sin' in religion. Like they would be arms of justice of God. They said: "Jesus died for our sins, criminals should die for their owns at least..".

Revelation says,if you live by the sword you shall surely die by the sword.

Because Christians are hypocrites.

The Christian God is always advocating death for stuff like premarital sex and picking up sticks on Saturday.

Well, the bible is full of it - rules calling for the death of anyone picking up sticks on the sabbath, cutting the wrong bits of their hair, being an abusing teenager, having consensual sex with your neighbour's wife, shagging a sheep, eating the wrong food or simply complaining about being hungry while in the desert without food...

They are probably thinking that they are just. They are looking at the verse saying an eye for an eye. Jesus would not say that. Jesus was a turn the other cheek kind of teacher.

Perhaps they think they are following the Bible by taking and eye for an eye.

Because they have no clue what it means to be a Christian....and because they are retarded.

As a boy I remember that the elegant christian ladies teachers enjoyed extremely when they could give us little boys an extreme and demeaning flogging. They were no nuns but nothing but elegant good looking christian ladies and daily they prayed with us and the same nice ladies became instantly cruel bitches who obviously enjoyed to give us floggings as often they could and they gave no mercy at all. In their daily prayers they were praying God for mercy but to us they never gave any mercy. And we had to thank them for our floggings because they just wanted to do the best for us. I never met again so many cynical and good looking ladies in my life. They loved and enjoyed to give punishments.

I'm not a Christian so I have a great deal of problems judging people. I was on a jury many years ago and had to convict a woman that clearly stole a good amount of cash from her employer. I went along and found her guilty and still feel bad about it. She was a mother and I helped send her to jail. I am absolutely sure that I could never send anyone to capital punishment, I don't have the conscience for it. I think you have to be very tough and judgmental to do something like that. Maybe we need those kind of people but that is not me. Could I kill someone that was trying to hurt a loved one, probably. But I could not pass that sentence as a disinterested third party.

We don't believe in capital punishment. Which is why we hate Abortion. (Better known as the death penalty to babies) But unfortunately there are many people who appose capital punishment yet are in favor of abortion. Like Mike Farrell the "humanitarian"

God allows government authorities to set standards...and asks us to comply...not always to agree, but to comply. (Romans 13:1-2) Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2 Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves. And if the authorities decree the death sentence for wrongdoers, then it is they who must answer to God.

old testament stuff eye for an eye etc

I do not know. All I do know is that we are all sinners, and hence we will always believe in and do things that disobey God. I do it all the time, does that mean I am not a Christian, or I am a liar, or I am not a worthy Christian? Being a Christian is saying we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, through whom we know God. He forgives us our sins. Being a Christian is not about knowing everything there is know about doing wrong from right and everytime we trip up we are judged and questioned. God will discipline those that disobey Him though, He does this to me all the time, as I am the worst sinner I know.

I would assume its beacuse they believe in the saying.."an eye for an eye".

maybe they believe that heaven or hell need more recruits?

Hypocrisy.

Because locking someone up untill they die is a much harsher punishment than death. Given the choice, I'd take death any day.

Hypocrisy is THE hallmark of Christinsanity. I believe in CP not because of eye for an eye or any of that foolishness, but simply because there are many in prisons and out who deserve nothing less that CP. Example: Dick Cheney deserves to be put to death, but because of the hypocrisy of Xtinsanity he won't be put to death nor will he ever serve a single moment in prison because he can always summon up some "magic spell" and pretend what he did was done in the name if his "creator". Hypocrisy...nothing more.

Not all christians believe in Capital Punishment. I only support it for the worst of crimes.

Saul said that unless a higher authority contradicts it, you should listen to your authorities. If capital punishment is how it is, and God has nothing against it, let capital punishment be.

What does capital punishment have to do with being a Christian? The death penalty was instituted by God himself and has carried on down through the centuries. There were people given the authority to carry out the penalty just as there are today. If you're talking about---"You will not kill", the original rendering of that commandment is----You will not murder". There's a huge difference between killing accidentally or in war, and murder. Obviously killing in war time does not constitute murder; it's simply a fact of war. On the other hand, premeditated killing is murder. In Biblical times as well as today, if you kill by the sword, you will die by the sword. Jesus was innocent of any crime yet He was executed but did He ever say anything against the powers that be (government) that executed Him? No, He didn't. Paul said that God puts governments into power and that we should always be subject to that power. The Mosaic Law very strongly supported the death penalty and Jesus never once disobeyed the law or taught against it. He said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17). The law made numerous provisions for the death penalty. Jesus did not come to destroy these provisions but to fulfill them. As such, He would have supported the death penalty. In dealing with the scribes and Pharisees, when they accused the disciples for not washing before eating, Jesus said this-----“But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” (Matthew 15:3-4 ) Now what is this death they were to die? Capital punishment, the death penalty. So you see, Jesus was "not" against the death penalty so why should Christians be? I'm afraid that most theologians as well as people in general, as usual, are wrong. Jesus did support the death penalty and He left a hearty biblical record proving the point. Jesus has been so remade by the modern world into a mix of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Tiny Tim that they cannot see the Jesus clearly portrayed in the Bible.

Real christians stand for capital punishment as people of other religions also do. In the Holy Bible you read: Tooth for tooth and eye for eye. And this is a divine order given by the Holy Bible. The death penalty has been since ever an important basic of christian religion as well as in the muslim sharia. As America is the most christian and religious country they still have death penalty as an expression of their deep religious feelings.

I have the feeling that many fantic christians feel somewhat like the arm of god and so they think they have to play a divine role. Therefore many of those fanatic christians think they are nothing but fulfilling the will of god and therefore they are absolutely right. Another explanation I do not have for that. Capital punishment is nothing but cruel and inhuman and after my point of view nothing but legalized murder. But I also think that most fanatics have an extreme problem with their sex life.

I believe in capital punishment and I am a Christian. That belief isn't central to my salvation; my faith is Jesus Christ is; that is what makes me a Christian, not whether or not I a believe in capitol punishment. I am not perfect; Jesus was and is now. It is my human opinion that there are some crimes on this earth that should be punishable by death. I personally think that pedophiles are deserving of God's forgiveness if they are truly repentant, but that they should be executed upon conviction. Again, not central to my salvation.

Because, Christians are still only human beings...not God.

I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. Have you even read the Bible? It's not all peace and love my dear.

Because the fruits of the spirit is not in them ,for if they have them they will be filled with compassion understanding and love.When Jesus was being put to death he prayed to our Father to "forgive them for they don't know what they are doing" We must follow his example and forgive and not judge anybody.God bless you and your family and hopefully you can become part of our family and instead of calling God the creator you can come to call him Father.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth!

This is an "apples and oranges" kinda deal that might get inflamatory! ;-)

That's only one at a time. They take out thousands with a sweep and call it collateral damage.

Not every person who calls themself a Christian really is one too..... God is the true Judge. The difference in between a Christian and a Non-Christian is that the Christian believes, without a doubt that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, and that He died for our sins. Other than that, we are still HUMAN, and have opinions just like other people. Before a person becomes saved, they have one self, and that is flesh, which is sin and death. When they become saved, the Holy Spirit of God lives in them....but they still have to FIGHT their old flesh. They have to decide who to follow the rest of their lives....God, or Satan (their old ways/flesh). We all make mistakes from time to time...but our God is a forgiving God, who picks us up and forgives us when we stumble. So many non-Christians think that Christians have to be PERFECT, and NEVER sin or have an opinion. We are watched, and critized more than any other person alive.....well, I'm going to tell you a secret......only GOD is perfect!