Background
Capital punishment, legalized killing by the state, has always been a deeply troublesome issue for religious and non-religious people alike.
Well-meaning people of faith weigh in on both sides of the debate. Some argue the death penalty deters crime and protects society. Others contend that it has not proven to be a deterrence, is biased against the poor and African Americans, and isn't something Jesus would "do." The death penalty is currently legal in 38 U.S. states.
The United Methodist Church, in its Social Principles, officially opposes capital punishment and urges its elimination from all criminal codes. The church's General Conference, a delegated body representing members around the world, meets every four years and is the only entity that can take official positions for the denomination. Those statements are included in the church's Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions. On many issues addressed by the church, individual members hold a wide range of viewpoints, including outright opposition to denomination policy.
The United Methodist Church has held this position for 50 years. At the 1956 General Conference in Minneapolis, delegates first passed legislation that put the church officially on record as opposed to the death penalty.
Each Methodist and United Methodist General Conference since that time has reaffirmed its opposition to capital punishment.
—Excerpted from the articles below:
Where The United Methodist Church Stands
"We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore, and transform all human beings," the Social Principles statement says. While expressing concern about crime and the value of life taken by murder or homicide, delegates to the most recent General Conference in 2004 reaffirmed the church's position that "all human life is sacred and created by God." United Methodists are urged to see all human life as "significant and valuable." (Social Principles, ¶164 G, “The Death Penalty,” Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2004)
When governments implement the death penalty the life of the convicted person is "devalued and all possibility of change in that person's life ends," the statement declares. "We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness."
The church is further convinced that capital punishment neither results in the net reduction of crime or in the number of homicides. Scientific studies, conducted over more than forty years, overwhelmingly failed to support the thesis that capital punishment deters homicide more effectively than imprisonment. ( Book of Resolutions 2004 , "Capital Punishment")
The number death penalty sentences also falls disproportionately on the poor and African Americans. Thirty-four percent of those executed in the United States since 1976 have been African Americans. ( Book of Resolutions 2004 , "Capital Punishment")
Delegates to the 2004 General Conference in Pittsburgh adopted a new resolution specifically opposed to the practice of executing juveniles. Since the first recognized execution of a juvenile offender in 1642, the United States has executed at least 366 people for crimes committed as juveniles and has, since 1990, executed more juvenile offenders than all other countries combined, according to the resolution. ( Book of Resolutions 2004 , “Juvenile Death Penalty”)
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court in Roper v. Simmons struck down the death penalty for juveniles.
What We’re Doing in This World
The United Methodist Church declares its opposition to the use of capital punishment in any form or carried out by any means and urges the abolition of capital punishment.
A statement adopted in the 2000 Book of Resolutions—and reaffirmed in 2004—makes specific recommendations for action for individual members, congregations, and church-wide agencies.
- Congregations, districts, conferences, and ecumenical coalitions are urged to take action to change the laws.
- Churches will support those who take part in public action such as “addressing elected officials, vigils, letter-writing campaigns, paid advertising, and other responsible direct action.”
- The General Boards of Global Ministries and Church and Society and their affiliates throughout the denomination and ecumenical partnerships are called to develop strategies of education and political action.
- Individual United Methodists are urged to make opposition to the death penalty part of their personal social conscience.
—Book of Resolutions 2004 , “Capital Punishment”
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