Capital Punishment – For or Against?

Throughout human history, capital punishment, or the execution of criminals has been used throughout almost all societies in the world. However today many countries have aborted capital punishment due to various reasons, such as misjudgment of case and human cruelty issues. Although a praiseworthy act to some, capital punishment should still be a viable act as lifelong imprisonment without parole can be too lenient or abused by criminals, and by executing such criminals can justice be truly serve to the society, especially to the victims’ and their families.

Since the death penalty has been abolished in many states, some criminals have shown to be more willing to commit crimes, since end of the day all they get most is lifelong imprisonment. This can be seen in the case of Richard Speck, a famous American serial killer during the 1960s. Speck was found guilty of the murdering of 8 student nurses in Chicago, Illinois’s and initially given the death sentence. However due to the state ruling out capital punishment, Speck was sentenced to 50-100 years of imprisonment per murder, meaning a total of 400-1200 years in jail. However he died of a heart attack few years later and footage of him during his jail time was released. Through the video Speck was seen having sexual intercourse with prison inmates and had female-like breasts from hormone injection, obviously enjoying his time in jail and definitely not remorseful of his crimes. He expressed that should people know how much he is enjoying life in prison, the authorities would have let him out much earlier. Families of victims expressed that they felt unjust for their love one’s horrible death. (Fillippelli, C., N.D.) The sentencing was way too lenient for Speck and all victims obviously felt that justice was not served at all.

When serial murder John Wayne Gacy was executed through lethal injection in 1994 for raping and murdering of 33 teenage boys, the victims’ families and crowds gathered outside cheered as justice was finally served (Ringwood, 1994). Even though there are people who felt that Gacy’s did not suffer a death as bad as any of his victims, it is somewhat comforting to the public that at least a serial murderer like him was finally removed from the face of the Earth. Same goes for the case of Ted Bundy, another famous serial murderer who was executed on the electric chair in 1989, where many people celebrated his execution (Recchi, 1989) Although I personally feel that whether these serial murderers die or not is no longer a question as whatever crime they had committed can never be reversed, should I be a parent I would very much prefer a criminal who is capable of killing to be killed, just as he did to his victims.

To sum up, I personally feel that capital punishment should be legalized in all states but provided there is a systematic and righteous way of investigation in the first place to make sure there is no misjudgment. No doubt it is not right for one to judge upon another’s crimes to decide their right to live, but neither is it right to let future potential criminals to think that it is alright to commit crime simply because people have the idea that no one is capable of putting a benchmark of what is right and what is wrong. To quote the bible, Deut 19:21 - And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.


References:-

Fillippelli, C. (N.D.). Richard Speck: Born to Raise Hell. TruTv website. Retrieved on 2011, September 14th from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/speck/index_1.html

Ringwood, J., (1994 May 10th) Serial Killer executed by lethal injection in Illinois. The Deseret News. Page 237-2123.

Recchi, R., (1989, January 25th) Death Of An Evil Man Is No Cause For Mirth. SunSentinel webpage. Retrieved on (2011, September 14th) from http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1989-01-25/features/8901050452_1_execution-ted-bundy-pleasure

Should Euthanasia be legalized?

Throughout medical history, the topic of euthanasia has been widely debated all over the world. People are supportive of or against the idea of euthanasia for various reasons. Every individual has their own take on whether euthanasia should be legalized or not, as difference in beliefs plays a huge role in deciding whether euthanasia is a form of assisted suicide, or a form of relief for a person too much in pain.

A person’s beliefs mostly derive from their religion beliefs, as most religion teaches about life and death. Being a Taoist myself, my religions’ teachings are that Taoism does not condone euthanasia, as we believe death should be accepted as naturally as life (The Reform Taoism Congregation (TRTC), N.D.). Any form of suicide is considered as a sin as it causes imbalance and disruption to the Circle of life. However if a person is kept alive through chemical and unnatural means, an imbalanced has already been created and therefore, to euthanize or not is no longer a question (TRTC., N.D.). It is definitely a sin to take away someone’s life, yet it is not entirely right to keep someone alive unnaturally. This is also similar to the teaching of Buddha as in Buddhism, the action of taking away a person’s life is consider murder, therefore a sin be it whatever reason behind it. When a person opts for euthanasia, it is deem as an error of judgment (BBC., 2009)

Having worked in the National Cancer Institute of Singapore in National University Hospital myself, I observed that while patients are aware of the option of turning off the plug, many patients tend to ask if the option to avoid all pain (immediate death) is available. As Singapore’s health and medical treatments are very expensive, the local term ‘Cheaper to die than to be sick’ might cause people to abuse the idea of euthanasia. Should Singapore legalize euthanasia, chances are many patients would give up treatment altogether and opt for assisted suicide. Not only it would be an easy way out and people viewing the value of life lighter than ever, but also a rise of unnecessary rate of unaccountable death.

Years ago, a patient who was in the last stage of cancer once told me that euthanasia is almost like an abortion that is years too late. He was a Christian and felt that although he feels that doctors should try to lessen the pain of a patient as much as possible, but humans in general are in no position to decide who to live or die, except God. He appreciated the idea of assisted suicide, knowing that it would lessen his pain so much more. However due to his religious beliefs, these pains and difficulties are created to let him appreciate life more and therefore feeling more willing to face his pain than to take the ‘easy way out’.

In general, I personally do not condone the idea of euthanasia, despite knowing the advantage it might have for patients who are in long term pain. I strongly believe that everyone should have the spirit to fight for their chance to live and fight against their sickness and pain, just as they would fight for life for a premature baby.

References:

Reform Taoist Congregation (N.D.), Our Beliefs - Euthanasia. Reform Taoist Congregation Homepage. Retrieved on 2011, September 5th from http://www.reformtaoism.org/beliefs_a-l.php

BBC (2009, November 23rd) Buddhism, euthanasia and suicide. BBC Homepage. Retrieved on 2011, September 6th from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/buddhistethics/euthanasiasuicide.shtml#blq-nav