Religion and capital punishment

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The major world religions have taken varied positions on the morality of capital punishment^[1] and, as such, they have historically impacted the way in which governments handle such punishment practices.^[2] Although the viewpoints of some religions have changed over time, their influence on capital punishment generally depends on the existence of a religious moral code and how closely religion influences the government.^[3] Religious moral codes are often based on a body of teachings, such as the Old Testament or the Qur'an.^[3]

Many Islamic nations have laws that have the base in Sharia law, which permits capital punishments for various acts.^[3] However, not all Islamic nations have the death penalty as a legal punishment.

Christianity has changed its perspective on the death penalty over time, and different Christian denominations have different teachings on it. Many early Christians were strongly opposed to the death penalty, and magistrates who enforced it could be excommunicated. Attitudes gradually began to relax in the fifth century. In the thirteenth century, Thomas Aquinas argued that capital punishment was a form of "lawful slaying", which became the standard Catholic teaching on the issue for centuries. During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther and John Calvin defended the death penalty, but Quakers, Brethren, and Mennonites have opposed it since their founding. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church has generally opposed the death penalty, and, in August 2018, Pope Francis revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church to explicitly condemn it in all cases as an inadmissible attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.^[4]

Buddhism has a strong belief in compassion for the lives of others, as stated in the Panca-Sila (five precepts). There is an understanding of healing people who have committed crimes rather than retaliating against them. For these reasons, Buddhism has generally opposed the death penalty.^[5] China and Japan, both historically Buddhist countries, continue to practise the death penalty.

Judaism has a history of debate over the death penalty but generally disagrees with the practice. Although the Torah describes over 30 situations where the death penalty would be appropriate, there are many limitations that have made it difficult to implement. Since 1954, Israel has outlawed the use of the death penalty, except in cases of genocide and treason.^[6]

Hinduism has historically not taken a stance on the death penalty and has little influence on the government's opinion of it.^[3] However, India (an 80% Hindu nation)^[7] has the lowest rate of capital punishment of any other country.^{[8][clarification needed]} This is likely due to the belief in Ahimsa, or non-violence, which became very apparent during Gandhi's time^[9] and was supported by India's ancient Buddhist emperor Ashoka, who is the only leader in the country's history to openly oppose the death penalty.^[8]