CHAPTER 2
Argument 6 (17)
The Death Penalty gives peace of mind to the victims and their relatives and puts an end to the crime
There are of course victims and relatives of victims who react negatively to the death penalty. They are to be respected. But we are convinced that most victims and relatives to victims would feel more or less peace of mind if the death penalty were allowed. There are countless testimonies of this fact. They too should be respected.
No other penalty than the death penalty has prerequisite to give the inner harmony back in a concrete way. The heart may then say: "Finally justice has been made and respect has been shown for the victim! The plague has finally had a relief!" The capital punishment has therefore an atoning influence on us citizens; it rehabilitates us and especially the relatives of the dead victims.
On the other hand, if the violent criminal or the murderer is still out there - behind the walls or outside - much frustration, anxiety, lack of peace, despair, powerlessness and wrath will remain.
Of course, the capital punishment isn’t a cure that is able to remove all of this, the pain will remain. But when a death penalty is carry out it still means a clear and decisive turning point for many, towards greater inner peace and health for the soul. Inner peace will also become the obvious consequence in our soul when we understand and feel that justice has been administered through a death penalty. Our heart will always feel uneasy if we know that a violent criminal and murderer never receive the punishment they deserve. But the fruit of justice is peace.
When the death penalty is carry out there is a decisive end to the deed of the criminal. This means that a decisive step has been taken. This step will mean, especially for most of the victims, that it will be easier to breathe. That which has constantly caused so much worry and pain is gone. This becomes a concrete step on the road to greater inner peace. By e.g. lifetime in prison there is no end, on the contrary, there is a constant reminder for the victim, the relatives and the rest of us that after a time the perpetrator will perhaps be free again, and the crime will therefore remain as an open and bloody wound that never cease to cause pain.
If a state governed by law is to be able to show warmth, compassion and peace of mind to hurt and afflicted victims, and to relatives and friends of the victims, yes even to most of society, then the capital punishment is the most effective way to bring this about.
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© David Anderson 1998, 2002
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