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Q: Why do so many faith communities oppose the death penalty?

A: Because they are convinced that we must always allow for repentance and redemption.
A: Because they honor the Biblical mandate not to seek retribution for evil.
A: Because they are committed to reconciliation and rehabilitation as best expressing what God requires of us.
A: Because they are committed to justice and reject a penalty that is imposed most often on the poor and the vulnerable.
A: Because they are convinced that human life, even of someone who has committed a terrible crime, is of infinite worth and cannot be rightfully taken by human decision.

You C.A.N. make a difference!

Organize a petition drive at your place of worship. Offer other members of your congregation the opportunity to sign the petition to abolish the death penalty.
Encourage your congregation to adopt a resolution for abolition of the death penalty.
Let your state senator know how you feel about the death penalty; organize an offering of letters.
Organize a local faith committee to participate in state-wide abolition efforts.
Sponsor an ecumenical prayer gathering for National Death Penalty Abolition Day, March 1st.
Witness to what you believe through letters to newspapers and other media.
Ask your church or synagogue to offer a class or study group on the death penalty using your faith community's resources and statements:

American Baptist Churches

We, as American Baptists, condemn the current reinstatement of capitol punishment and oppose its use under any new or old state or federal law, and call for an immediate end to planned executions throughout this country.

U.S. Catholic Bishops

We believe that abolition of the death penalty is most consonant with the example of Jesus, who both taught and practiced forgiveness of injustice and who came "to give his life as a ransom for many."

United Church of Christ

Be it resolved... that the Conferences be encouraged to assist local churches and individual members of the United Church of Christ to engage in serious ethical reflection and prayer- guided action toward the eradication of legalized execution and the creation of a more just and humane society. We will continue to offer our prayers on behalf of our brothers and sisters on death row and those who enact and enforce the laws which legalize killing.

Disciples of Christ

The holy scriptures clearly mandate that we are not to kill, we are not to render evil for evil, and that we are not to seek retribution with vengeance for the evil done to us... the use of execution to punish criminal acts does not allow for repentance of the criminal.

The Christian Church expresses its opposition to the use of the death penalty... and calls for the repeal of all laws and statutes to permit its usage.

The Episcopal Church

Whereas,... the life of an individual is of infinite worth in the sight of Almighty God; and the taking of such a human life falls within the providence of Almighty God and not within the right of Man; and....

Whereas, a preponderance of religious bodies continue to oppose capitol punishment as contrary to the concept of Christian love as revealed in the New Testament; and ...

Whereas, the institutionalized taking of human life prevents the fulfillment of Christian commitment to seek the redemption and reconciliation of the offender; and...

Whereas, there are incarceration alternatives for those who are too dangerous to be set free in society; therefore be it

Resolved,... The Episcopal Church reaffirms its opposition to capitol punishment...

Friends United Meeting

Friends accept the Biblical teaching that every human life is valuable in the sight of God, that man need not remain in his sinful state but can repent and be saved, that God loves the sinner and takes "no pleasure in the death of the wicked," but longs "that the wicked turn from his way and live."

American Jewish Committee

Whereas those who seek to retain the death penalty have failed to establish its deterrent effect or recognize the fallibility of criminal justice institutions; and

Whereas capitol punishment has too often been discriminatory in its application and is increasingly being rejected by civilized peoples throughout the world...

Now therefore be it resolved that the American Jewish Committee be recorded as favoring the abolition of the death penalty.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

... following Jesus leads to a commitment to restorative justice. This commitment means addressing the hurt of each person whose life has been touched by violent crime. Restorative justice makes the community safer for all.

Executions focus on the convicted murderer, providing very little for the victim's family or anyone else whose life has been touched by crime. Capital punishment focuses on retribution, sometimes reflecting a spirit of vengeance...

General Conference Mennonite Church

Since Christ... has given the church a ministry of reconciliation, and in view of the injustice and ineffectiveness of capital punishment as a means for the achievement of the purposes of government, we express our conviction that its use should be discontinued.

United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church cannot accept retribution or social vengeance as a reason for taking human life. It violates our deepest belief in God as the creator and the redeemer of humankind. In this respect, there can be no assertion that human life can be taken humanely by the state. Indeed, in the long run, the use of the death penalty by the state will increase the acceptance of revenge in our society and will give official sanction to a climate of violence.

Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

... we believe that the government's use of death as an instrument of justice places the state in the role of God, who alone is sovereign; and

... the use of the death penalty in a representative democracy places citizens in the role of executioner: "Christians cannot isolate themselves from corporate responsibility, including responsibility of every execution, as well as for every victim" ...

Therefore the 197th General Assembly... Calls upon governing bodies and members to work for the abolition of the death penalty in the states which currently have capitol punishment statutes...

Unitarian Universalist

Whereas, General Assemblies of the Unitarian Universalist Association have opposed capital punishment by resolutions in 1961, 1966, and 1974; and

Whereas, the aforementioned resolutions have urged complete abolition of capital punishment as inconsistent with respect for human life; for its retributive, discriminatory, and non-deterrent character; and opposed its restoration or continuance in any form; and

Whereas, the State of Florida has declared its intent to proceed with the executions of those under the capital sentence in Florida prisons, numbering more than one hundred, and having begun with the execution of John Spenkelink on May 25, 1979; and

Whereas, the Florida example may become precedent for a new wave of capital punishment in numerous other states;

Be It Resolved: That the 1979 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges the Governor of the State of Florida to commute all existing death sentences; and

Be It Further Resolved: That the General Assembly urges Governors of all other states similarly to commute death sentences and to prevent the restoration or continuance of capital punishment in any form.

Faith Committee

Our Faith Committee is the cornerstone to our opposition of the death penalty. Lincoln and Omaha both have active faith committees that generally meet once a month.

To become involved or to request additional information, please contact Eric Aspengren at 402.477.7787 or via email at info@nadp.net.

Resources for Faith Communities

Amnesty International publishes an excellent guidebook for use by communities of faith working to abolish the death penalty. Topics include: How to address members of your congregation who support the death penalty, a brief history of the death penalty in the USA, death penalty facts and figures, and how to design your own strategy, mobilize, and take action. If you would like a free copy of the Faith Community Resource Guidebook, please send an e-mail and we will send you a copy right away.