Death Sentence

Why do we punish someone by ending their life? Why not just imprison them? These are the questions running through my head when I think of the death sentence. Sentencing someone to death based on a crime they committed I believe is morally wrong. Yes they might not have followed one or more of the five very important moral pillars, but killing them is not the way to go about it. Give them the chance to change. Try to help them. They might seem like a lost cause but you never know until you try. Killing someone based on their actions is just as bad as the crime they committed because it is also not staying loyal to the five pillars. Isn't it harmful to someone both physically and mentally? Isn't it not fair not only to the criminal but to their family to take their life over an act you and some others might not agree with? Giving someone the death sentence is breaking at least two if not more of the moral pillars that we created therefore the person giving the death sentence is committing a crime as well.

Article 1:http://www.hoshuha.com/articles/deathpenalty.html

This article talks against my argument saying that the death sentence is morally right. It first starts off by explaining the difference between killing and murder and then defines morality. It then asks the question if the death sentence is revenge and the author answers with no and gives an example of what revenge would be like. Finally, it lists the five reasons that The Campaign to End the Death Penalty gave on why the death sentence should be eliminated and argues against each point.

Article 2: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/death-penalty-dead-wrong-time-outlaw-capital-punishment-america-completely-article-1.961087

This article talks for my point saying that the death sentence is morally wrong and should be outlawed in the United States. It is also written by a former governor of New York who outlawed the death penalty for all 12 years he was in charge. He believes that not only is it unfair but it has killed many innocent people. He also does not like the fact that wrongfully killing someone on a death penalty is not considered murder while it would be if it wasn't run by the state. He then finishes by giving an alternative option of a life in jail imprisonment with no option of parole which he argues is not only more morally right but much less expensive.

With all this said, I leave you with one question: Do you believe that imprisonment for life is the best alternative for the death penalty or is there a better option?