Myth:
Most religions support the death penalty.

Fact:
Most major religious denominations—Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Unitarian, Quaker, Jewish, and many others—maintain strong statements condemning the use of the death penalty. Pope John Paul II repeatedly called for abolition of the death penalty and New Mexico's Catholic Bishops, along with the NM Catholic Conference and NM Conference of Churches, have taken similar stands. Many Jewish, Protestant, Buddhist and other faith group leaders support alternatives to the death penalty and encourage their congregations to pray and study about this issue.

from the play by students at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Myths and Facts

Myth: No innocent people are put to death.

Myth: The death penalty is applied fairly.

Myth: Capital punishment is a powerful deterrent to murder and other violent crimes.

Myth: It costs more to imprison murderers for life than to execute them.

Myth: Most countries have the death penalty.

Myth: Most religions support the death penalty.

Myth: Support for the death penalty is growing in the United States.

Myth: Death by lethal injection is completely humane and painless.

Splash | Home | Contact Us | Donate Now | Sitemap