Death Penalty Logic

Is the death penalty wrong? Some say it is, asserting that it lowers the State to the level of the criminal. In other words, when the State executes a murderer, it is committing murder.

That assertion opposes not just the death penalty, but any punishment that might be imposed by the State.

Let's say a person is guilty of embezzling money from his employer. What punishment should he receive from the State? Perhaps he should be fined. But wouldn't that be the same as the original theft? Okay, so throw him into prison. But wouldn't that be the same as kidnapping?

What they are really saying is that the State has no authority to dispense justice.