But few persons today, at least with any common sense, would advocate enforcing the rest of this moral code. Jesus is silent on the specific question of capital punishment. But most scholars would concede that the purpose of the passage was not to make an ethical pronouncement on the death penalty. Overall, we know that Jesus taught an ethic of compassion and forgiveness and forbearance. All of this leads me, however to the conclusion that scripture will not give us a definitive answer for this issue.
Scripture can be and is used to argue both sides.
So, let us move on to tradition. Well, we could use that to argue either way, couldn t we. I believe it is possible for a person of deep moral values to take a position different from mine. So, our Principles and Purposes aren t going to take us very far on the issue either. We have no creed or body of doctrine to consult.