When the term capital punishment comes up, consideration must be given to the history of mankind in relation to such form of retribution. From the beginning of recorded history, the death penalty has existed and for many crimes other then first degree murder. Before anyone takes a FOR or AGAINST position on capital punishment, perhaps we should take a look at the actual facts and statistics on this controversial topic. Then, with all this in mind, take a dialectical approach, with the idea of death itself and see if we can come up with a clearer understanding of the reason for such actions to be accepted in our society. However, if a stand needed to be taken to keep the death penalty or abolish it, one must persist to alleviate the assumption that it serves any purpose at all. The words "death" and "penalty" need to be taken in a broader framework. Another term for death is departure or passing; and penalty is the same as sentence or an impediment. So in other words a death penalty is a sentence to pass. Pass what one might ask? Most all faiths believe in some form of hereafter, so if that is the case, then death is NOT a finality. Nothing ends. It is a passing impediment from the only world we know. "The actual explanation of a man's life lies in just the fact that he is essentially spirit and eternal...and so the world so to speak is a cross section of truth concerning him and can only furnish a partial explanation of the whole." (Fox 4). Even though it is believed that morality and faith in God contribute to man's laws, the laws by all means are obviously very secular in their application. Of course we could use the bible to prove or disprove justification in taking one's life, but the answer lies in the actual execution itself. In a physical terminology it would be a common assumption that the person is dead but on the contrary that is impossible. Dr. Gold, one of the many scientists who have proved an existence ...
