I don't claim to be a Bible scholar, but in reference to your question about thou shalt not kill vs. eye for an eye...The eye for an eye law was something that was around in the Old Testament. When Jesus came, thereby taking on the burden of our sins, there was no longer a need for that type of law. Thus thou shalt not kill, I think, would be the law speaking from a Christian view on death penalty. Also, the Bible says "Judge not, least ye be judged" and that vengance is the Lord's. Being a Christian, I believe that the death penalty is wrong. But this country, although founded on Christian priniciples, has seperation of church and state. Therefore ideally the government shoudn't make the decision on whether or not the death penalty is right/wrong based on the Bible. (Of course, many of our laws are in fact based on biblical law. And also if there was complete separation of church and state then defendants and witnesses in court wouldn't have to swear on the bible..but I digress.) Religion aside, I also think that the death penalty is wrong because how many innocent men and women are killed each year for crimes they did not commit? If even ONE person dies unfairly, then in my eyes the death penalty is dramatically flawed. this post is long enough so I won't even get into the racial disparities so prevalent in the death penatly.
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