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The death penalty should be abolished in the USA

Debate Information

The death penalty is a legal penalty that has been abolished in 19 U.S. states and is currently being used in 31.

Should it be completely abolished in the U.S.?
  1. Live Poll

    Should the death penalty be abolished in the USA?

    10 votes
    1. Absolutely agree
      30.00%
    2. Somewhat agree
      20.00%
    3. Neutral or hesistant
      10.00%
    4. Rather disagree
      20.00%
    5. Absolutely disagree
      20.00%



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    Arguments


  • someone234someone234 647 Pts   -  
    No, in fact EU should start bringing it back.
  • MayCaesarMayCaesar 5965 Pts   -  
    A society that has a warrant to murder a person is the perfect instrument for a populist to use to build a totalitarian dictatorship. Only complete and utter respect of one's rights and freedoms, regardless of what they have done, can lead to the society achieving its potential.

    Death penalty is also a slippery slope with a very famous description:

    First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Socialist.
    Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 
    Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
    Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 
    Because I was not a Jew.
    Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.


    ApplesauceWordsMatterCYDdharta
  • someone234someone234 647 Pts   -  
    @MayCaesar A society that will not kill threats is even worse, stop preaching this minarchist nonsense and expect to be unchallenged.
  • MayCaesarMayCaesar 5965 Pts   -  
    @someone234

    Dealing with the threat was performed when the individual was prosecuted and isolated from the society. Killing them after that does not remove any threats; it is a simple vengeance, and vengeance performed by a society as a whole is not something that should take place in a civilized world.
    TopaetCYDdharta
  • someone234someone234 647 Pts   -  
    @MayCaesar Why do they deserve to be kept alive and even worse to interact with other prisoners? People like them make the other prisoners more hostile and prone to future brutality, they ruin the entire point of prison and we allow them to kill and rape other prisoners because we think it's a good deterrent. We should kill the full psychopaths and sociopaths and then tame the lesser ones.
    CYDdharta
  • MayCaesarMayCaesar 5965 Pts   -  
    @someone234

    The best problem to solve problems of brutality is to exterminate humanity as a whole. But that would not be the best solution, would it?

    If other arguments are not acceptable to you, then, at least, you probably can accept old good "What if a person who was executed is found innocent?" It is a bad argument, but as a last resort, it usually works where other arguments are dismissed.
  • someone234someone234 647 Pts   -  
    @MayCaesar It's called optimal gambling. What ends up profiting society the most as a whole, worrying about bad luck killings of framed innocent which happens like 0.4% maximum or killing the full-blown ASPD criminals and dealing with the lesser ones and more emotionally sensitive criminals in a rehabilitative manner?

    If we keep allowing these maniacs into prisons their attitude infects the others and everyone becomes more brutal and uncaring about rules and the well-being of society in general.
  • TopaetTopaet 48 Pts   -   edited August 2018
    @someone234 @MayCaesar

    In a report that was published by the National Academy of Sciences, it was “conservatively” estimated that at least 4.1% of those sentenced to death in the USA are innocent (Gross, O'Brien, Hu, & Kennedy, 2014).

    Actually, at least 74 cases where wrongful executions have most likely taken place in the USA have been identified [1]. One such example is that of Jesse Tafero who was wrongfully convicted of having murdered two police officers and who was subsequently executed in 1990 [2]. During his execution, the electric chair malfunctioned thrice which caused 1-foot high flames to shoot from Tafero's head and which resulted in the death chamber filling with smoke and two dozen horrified witnesses. A lawyer who was witnessing the execution described it as "burning Tafero alive" and further told that "you could smell burning human flesh" [3].

    In conclusion, the death penalty does not just punish those that some might argue deserve it but also innocent people (1 innocent person for every 24 guilty people in fact) that most certainly do not deserve it, in an inhumane way that simply disregards human dignity, and thus the death penalty should be abolished in the 31 U.S. states where it has not yet been abolished.
    ApplesauceMayCaesar
  • TopaetTopaet 48 Pts   -  

    “Of two methods which are equally effective in preventing murder, the one involving least harm to the murderer is to be preferred. The harm to the murderer is wholly regrettable, like the pain of a surgical operation. It may be equally necessary, but it is not a subject for rejoicing. The vindictive feeling called ‘moral indignation’ is merely a form of cruelty. Suffering to the criminal can never be justified by the notion of vindictive punishment. If education combined with kindness is equally effective, it is to be preferred; still more is it to be preferred if it is more effective.” (Russell 2009, p. 358).


    Reference:

    Russell, Bertrand (2009). The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell. Routledge.

    MayCaesar
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -  
    How anyone can agree with the idea that killing someone to show that allegedly killing someone is wrong is as moronic as it sounds.
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • ApplesauceApplesauce 243 Pts   -  
    my issue is there have been some wrongfully executed.  Even now with new dna technology etc some serving life sentences who have been incarcerated for decades to be found not guilty.
    Erfisflat
    "I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
    Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood"
    The Animals
  • CYDdhartaCYDdharta 1823 Pts   -  
    MayCaesar said:
    @someone234

    If other arguments are not acceptable to you, then, at least, you probably can accept old good "What if a person who was executed is found innocent?" It is a bad argument, but as a last resort, it usually works where other arguments are dismissed.

    What if a murderer goes free and kills someone else? 
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Erfisflat said:
    How anyone can agree with the idea that killing someone to show that allegedly killing someone is wrong is as moronic as it sounds.
    Killing someone is not wrong.  Murdering them is.  This is like saying it is wrong to find someone for stealing money.  It is called justice.
  • someone234someone234 647 Pts   -   edited August 2018
    @Topaet thanks for your biased report also thanks for explaining why the system of determining guilt needs to be improved in the corrupt system of US attorney hiring where income disproportionately enables the rich to frame the poor and seem innocent themselves.

    Thank you for not explaining why the guilty should not be killed.
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -  
    Theocrat said:
    Erfisflat said:
    How anyone can agree with the idea that killing someone to show that allegedly killing someone is wrong is as moronic as it sounds.
    Killing someone is not wrong.  Murdering them is.  This is like saying it is wrong to find someone for stealing money.  It is called justice.
    Paying money to someone is nothing like ending someone's life. I think the money used to "kill someone back" should be better put to use in researching rehabilitation, the current prison system is broken and only benefits the prison and industry.
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • ApplesauceApplesauce 243 Pts   -  
    Erfisflat
    "I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
    Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood"
    The Animals
  • jespironjespiron 10 Pts   -  
    To those who argue that innocents are executed alongside criminals under the death penalty, wouldn't the same go with confinement, or virtually any other punishment? Thus, this relates to issues regarding prosecution practices rather than the type of punishment.

    Let's assume that life without parole is the alternative to the death penalty. Personally, I see lifetime confinement as a crueler punishment, and perhaps just as inhumane, if not more. The subject is in a living tomb, shut off from pleasurable sensory experiences and left to mull over the ghost of their past life for years to come. In contrast, death comes swiftly. But I digress.

    Ethics aside, what purpose does lifetime confinement serve? Confinement will more likely worsen the subject's mental state rather than provide constructive rehabilitation, and it may cost more resources to keep up.

    I think the better alternative is rehabilitation, as @Erfisflat said, but there haven't been enough data regarding the effectiveness of rehabilitation systems or enough areas testing such systems at the moment. While funding goes to exploring rehabilitation, the U.S. should maintain the death penalty, and abolish it when solid rehabilitation programs are put into motion.
    someone234
  • someone234someone234 647 Pts   -  
    @jespiron Correct, optimal gambling is the key point with resource management for the nation's overall well-being and sustainability.
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    A .45 to the head costs about 25 cents.  Depending on the crime, I would do it for free.
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Erfisflat said:
    Theocrat said:
    Erfisflat said:
    How anyone can agree with the idea that killing someone to show that allegedly killing someone is wrong is as moronic as it sounds.
    Killing someone is not wrong.  Murdering them is.  This is like saying it is wrong to find someone for stealing money.  It is called justice.
    Paying money to someone is nothing like ending someone's life. I think the money used to "kill someone back" should be better put to use in researching rehabilitation, the current prison system is broken and only benefits the prison and industry.
    I donot care what you think.  All that matters is justice, not rehibilation.
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -  
    Theocrat said:
    Erfisflat said:
    Theocrat said:
    Erfisflat said:
    How anyone can agree with the idea that killing someone to show that allegedly killing someone is wrong is as moronic as it sounds.
    Killing someone is not wrong.  Murdering them is.  This is like saying it is wrong to find someone for stealing money.  It is called justice.
    Paying money to someone is nothing like ending someone's life. I think the money used to "kill someone back" should be better put to use in researching rehabilitation, the current prison system is broken and only benefits the prison and industry.
    I donot care what you think.  All that matters is justice, not rehibilation.
    It's a good thing you're not the king then. You pose as a Christian, so, WWJD?
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Jesus commanded man to execute 29 types of criminals.  Do not put your brand of injustice and delusional thinking on Christ.
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -   edited August 2018
    Theocrat said:
    Jesus commanded man to execute 29 types of criminals.  Do not put your brand of injustice and delusional thinking on Christ.
    That goes unsourced, and unproved, and probably from Old testament laws.

    Jesus flatly rejected the Old Testament principle of taking equal revenge for a wrong done (Matthew 5:38-41Luke 9:52-56). He also said that we are all sinners and do not have the right to pass judgment on one another (Matthew 7:1-5). In the case of a woman caught in adultery (a capital offense), Jesus said to those who wanted to stone her to death,

    "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again." (NRSV, John 8:7-11)

    https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_CapitalPunishment.htm
    Topaet
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Yea, no. He even warned against heretics like you saying such things. Matt 5:17-19.  Indeed, the I John 2:4 says those who claim Christ but deny His Law are liars without the truth in them.  You lie a great deal.
    Topaet
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    I love it when heretics say King Jesus is an anarchist.  May they roast in Hell for their rebellion.
    Topaet
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -  
    Theocrat said:
    Yea, no. He even warned against heretics like you saying such things. Matt 5:17-19.  Indeed, the I John 2:4 says those who claim Christ but deny His Law are liars without the truth in them.  You lie a great deal.
    Actually, I only referenced what Jesus himself said, as in "Turn the other cheek", and those who claim Christ, but deny His Laws, including "Thou Shall Not Kill" are indeed liars.
    Topaet
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Yes, those who deny His Law to execute 19 types of criminals are hell-bound.
    Erfisflat
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -   edited August 2018
    Theocrat said:
    Yes, those who deny His Law to execute 19 types of criminals are hell-bound.
    You still haven't sourced this. His laws are His commandments. Before it was 29, now it's 19? You haven't a clue what you are saying.
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • MayCaesarMayCaesar 5965 Pts   -   edited August 2018
    @CYDdharta

    CYDdharta said:
    MayCaesar said:
    @someone234

    If other arguments are not acceptable to you, then, at least, you probably can accept old good "What if a person who was executed is found innocent?" It is a bad argument, but as a last resort, it usually works where other arguments are dismissed.

    What if a murderer goes free and kills someone else? 
    What if a random person goes ahead and kills someone? What if you go ahead and kill someone? Is your position so strong that you would advocate that the society executes you to avoid this possibility?

    All pro-death sentence arguments are easily eliminated by logically continuing them and getting absurd lawmaking prescriptions. Death sentence is just a crime against humanity, and there is no way around it in the context of human rights.
  • MayCaesarMayCaesar 5965 Pts   -  
    @MayCaesar It's called optimal gambling. What ends up profiting society the most as a whole, worrying about bad luck killings of framed innocent which happens like 0.4% maximum or killing the full-blown ASPD criminals and dealing with the lesser ones and more emotionally sensitive criminals in a rehabilitative manner?

    If we keep allowing these maniacs into prisons their attitude infects the others and everyone becomes more brutal and uncaring about rules and the well-being of society in general.
    I am not thrilled with the idea of the society gambling with my life on the lot. I would rather put the society on the lot and gamble.

    As one philosopher said, "I do not want to die for France. Let France die for me." Replace France with society, and my position is pretty well stated.
  • CYDdhartaCYDdharta 1823 Pts   -  
    MayCaesar said:
    @CYDdharta

    What if a random person goes ahead and kills someone? What if you go ahead and kill someone? Is your position so strong that you would advocate that the society executes you to avoid this possibility?

    All pro-death sentence arguments are easily eliminated by logically continuing them and getting absurd lawmaking prescriptions. Death sentence is just a crime against humanity, and there is no way around it in the context of human rights.

    If a random person kills someone for no valid reason, they should face the death penalty.  If I murder someone, of course I should face a death sentence.  That's how law is supposed to work, equally and impartiality.  if death sentence arguments are easily eliminated, let me know when you're going to start demonstrating that.
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Erfisflat said:
    Theocrat said:
    Yes, those who deny His Law to execute 19 types of criminals are hell-bound.
    You still haven't sourced this. His laws are His commandments. Before it was 29, now it's 19? You haven't a clue what you are saying.
    I have sourced it: HIs Law.  FOr example Lev 20 :13 Israel’s HIs command o execute sodomites. ANd it is always 19.  Somehow I do not think what the Bible says matters to you.
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Is His command*
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -  
    Theocrat said:
    Erfisflat said:
    Theocrat said:
    Yes, those who deny His Law to execute 19 types of criminals are hell-bound.
    You still haven't sourced this. His laws are His commandments. Before it was 29, now it's 19? You haven't a clue what you are saying.
    I have sourced it: HIs Law.  FOr example Lev 20 :13 Israel’s HIs command o execute sodomites. ANd it is always 19.  Somehow I do not think what the Bible says matters to you.
    Lev. 20:13 even does not support your position. It does not specifically say that man should put those to death. This would go against God's law, specifically "Thou shall not kill".
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Context, heretic, the whole passage contains commandments for men.  As must as you want God to contradict Himself, it is only in your tiny, reprobate mind.
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -  
    Theocrat said:
    Context, heretic, the whole passage contains commandments for men.  As must as you want God to contradict Himself, it is only in your tiny, reprobate mind.
    Another unsourced claim. Not to mention the third time you ignored Gods commandments.
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    , the context is Lev 20.    I am not going to spoon feed you. If you do not know God's Law is for man, you are wasting my time.
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    BTW, stop misquoting Ex 20:13.  It is properly rendered "You shall not murder."

  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -  
    Theocrat said:
    , the context is Lev 20.    I am not going to spoon feed you. If you do not know God's Law is for man, you are wasting my time.
    I know, you won't source it because it was written to the Isrealites at the time. 
    Lev. 20: 

    1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

    2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.

    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Finally, even this heretic admits that God commands man to execute certain criminals.  Now, he is left with two possibilities:  stay a heretic and say God contradicts Himself or admit he is a heretic, repent and admit God commands man to execute certain criminals.  I bet I know which path he will take.  But I have proved my case and am moving on.
  • ErfisflatErfisflat 1675 Pts   -  
    Theocrat said:
    Finally, even this heretic admits that God commands man to execute certain criminals.  Now, he is left with two possibilities:  stay a heretic and say God contradicts Himself or admit he is a heretic, repent and admit God commands man to execute certain criminals.  I bet I know which path he will take.  But I have proved my case and am moving on.
    Maybe if ALL men were Isrealites in the days of Moses... You clearly have problems with reading comprehension, as well as communication. First, it was "Jesus commanded man to execute 29 types of criminals."


    Which was false, Jesus wasn't even around in the days of Moses...

    Then, that turned into His laws commanded (someone) to execute 19 types of criminals...

    All the while ignoring God's commandment, thou shall not kill, and your rebuttal is that I'm misquoting? Not the King James Version.

    https://biblehub.com/kjv/exodus/20.htm
    Topaet
    Pseudoscience: noun; a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.

    Scientific method: noun; a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

    The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about.

    Wayne Dyer
  • TheocratTheocrat 69 Pts   -  
    Jesus is God, heretic.  And our understanding of Greek and Hebrew has come a long way since  1611.  I knew he would not repent.
    Erfisflat
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