The death penalty
What is the current UK law about the death penalty?
the death penaltyA form of punishment which involves a person being put to death for their crime. Also referred to as captial punishment. is not used in the UK. It was abolished for murder in 1965 and abolished for all crimes in 1998. In 2004 the UK agreed not to restore the death penalty for as long as it is part of the .
Which of the aims of punishment are met by the death penalty
The death penalty aims to protect society and deterTo put someone off doing something. others from committing crime.
Hindu arguments in favour of the death penalty
Some Hindus believe that the death penalty should be used in the case of convicted murderers. They believe that the death penalty acts to deter criminals and protect society. They have these views because:
- Hindu teachings state that the dharmaThis word has various meanings which have to be understood from the context in which it is used. It can mean religious duty. In Buddhism it is most widely used to mean the Buddha鈥檚 teaching. It can also mean 鈥榯he truth鈥. of government is to protect the citizens and they believe this is best achieved through the death penalty
- many Hindus believe that the death penalty can form part of the belief in ahimsaThe Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh principle of total non-violence, in thoughts, words and actions. as the death penalty protects innocent people from criminal violence
- the MahabharataHindu scripture that tells of the lives of the Pandava princes and the deeds of Lord Krishna. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata. and RamayanaA Hindu scripture that recounts the deeds of Lord Rama (an avatar of Vishnu) and Sita. both demonstrate that the death penalty should be used against violent criminals
Hindu arguments against the death penalty
Some Hindus do not believe that the death penalty should be used. They say this because:
- killing will cause them to gain bad meritA beneficial influence built up through wholesome and skillful actions (karma), capable of affecting a person's future experience in this life and the next.
- they follow the teachings of Mahatma GandhiA Hindu who was given the title 'Mahatma', meaning 'great soul', because of his work for and commitment to equality and peace. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. and do not believe violence should ever be used
- karmic debtThe consequence of bad action (karma) 鈥 the idea that bad deeds must be paid for or put right. will ensure the criminal is suitably punished for the crime, so other humans need not engage in killing either