I did some research about religon and the death penalty...heres what I found
I can tell you now that most of the laws are in the old testament. Many Christians today will tell you the old testament was done away with after the resurrection of Christ. Here is the passage where Jesus himself says otherwise, as well as proof that he teaches it in the NT:
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
5:19
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Murder and judgement taught by Jesus:
Matthew 5:21-22 'You have heard that it was said to the people long ago 'Do not murder' and that anyone who murders will be subject to judgement. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement.'.
New Testament: This is where Jesus in getting onto the Pharisees and Scribes, about their traditions and commandments of men getting in the way of Gods law, and quotes the law of God putting a person to death.
Starting at Matthew 15:1
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
15:2
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
15:3
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
15:4
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
15:5
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
15:6
And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
15:7
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
15:8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
15:9
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Clearly, Jesus is telling us that we ARE to follow God's law, even the death penalty!!
Another strong point; they will also argue that the 10 commandments say not to kill....incorrect!! It says you shall not MURDER. The bible clearly distinguishes the difference between manslaughter (accidental killing or murder w/o thought) and murder, both wich have different penalties.
Note the laws for manslaughter and murder, Numbers 35:16-29:
16 If a man strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death.
17 Or if anyone has a stone in his hand that could kill, and he strikes someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death.
18 Or if anyone has a wooden object in his hand that could kill, and he hits someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death.
19 The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
20 If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies
21 or if in hostility he hits him with his fist so that he dies, that person shall be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
22 But if without hostility someone suddenly shoves another or throws something at him unintentionally
23 or, without seeing him, drops a stone on him that could kill him, and he dies, then since he was not his enemy and he did not intend to harm him,
24 the assembly must judge between him and the avenger of blood according to these regulations.
25 The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send him back to the city of refuge to which he fled. He must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
26 But if the accused ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he has fled
27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside the city, the avenger of blood may kill the accused without being guilty of murder.
28 The accused must stay in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may he return to his own property.
29 These are to be legal requirements for you throughout the generations to come, wherever you live.
**note that is says throughout the generations**
Death penalty(exodus only-tons more in Lev):
Ex 19:12
And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:
Ex 21:12
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Ex 21:15
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
Ex 21:16
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
Ex 21:17
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Ex 21:29
But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past *, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
Ex 22:19
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Ex 31:14
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Ex 31:15
Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Ex 35:2
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
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