Religion & Law

"Religion and the Death Penalty"

By Rick Garnett

This article, by Walter Berns, is interesting.  Here is the opening of "Religion and the Death Penalty":

The best case for the death penalty--or, at least, the best explanation of it--was made, paradoxically, by one of the most famous of its opponents, Albert Camus, the French novelist. . . .

. . .  The death penalty, he said, "can be legitimized only by a truth or a principle that is superior to man," or, as he then made clearer, it may rightly be imposed only by a religious society or community; specifically, one that believes in "eternal life." Only in such a place can it be said that the death sentence provides the guilty person with the opportunity (and reminds him of the reason) to make amends, thus to prepare himself for the final judgment which will be made in the world to come. For this reason, he said, the Catholic church "has always accepted the necessity of the death penalty." This may no longer be the case. And it may no longer be the case that death is, as Camus said it has always been, a religious penalty.  But it can be said the death penalty is more likely to be imposed by a religious people.

The reasons for this are not obvious. . . .  Whatever the reason, there is surely a connection between the death penalty and religious belief.

I would be strange, wouldn't it -- but I wonder if it is nonetheless the case -- that the best arguments against the death penalty were religious, as well as the best arguments for it?  Anyway, check out the piece.  Any reactions?

Full post as published by Mirror of Justice on February 17, 2008 (boomark / email).