The Death Penalty
By Phil 1000 March 25, 1997
The death penalty has existed for well over 4000 years. In 1728 BC the
code of Hamurabe was passed to allow legal execution. For centuries capital
punishment was a public spectacle: states used executions to demonstrate the
ultimate consequence of attacking the state. During the 18th century in England
executions attracted tens of thousands of people in some cases there would be
riots. Also in England the church was allowed to burn people alive at the stake
for the crime of heresy. Under Queen Mary Tutor (the infamous "Bloody Mary")
thousands were executed just for not returning to the Catholic faith. Most of
these executions took place in the market place so the public would be aware of
what would happen if you decided to follow your own religion. Many burned at
the stake were women and some were even children. It is ironic that
Christianity is built around forgiveness. Many other gruesome mass executions
throughout......
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