The pending execution of Karla Faye Tucker by the state of Texas has reinvigorated the perennial debate about the death penalty. As an inveterate news watcher I have become familiar with some of the facts of her situation. I can't help but hope that her life will be spared. But, then, I hope that the life of everyone on death row will be spared. I think capital punishment is wrong for several reasons.
Life is sacred.
No one has the right to take the life of another, not even the state. It's contradictory to say that it's because we value life so highly that we are justified to take the life of another. Even if you think it's OK to execute someone, the death penalty isn't an effective deterrent against crime. Research shows that the most effective deterrence to crime is how likely it is that you will be caught rather than how severe the punishment will be if you are caught. It is much more expensive to execute someone than it is to keep him or her in prison for life.