Protestants join Catholics in reconsidering the death penalty (COMMENTARY)

Heather Beaudoin

(RNS) Nebraska is showing the most visible signs of a change in thinking by Christians and conservatives on the death penalty, and Catholics are helping to lead the way. For many, the catalyst has been a simple question: “If I value life, how can I support taking a life when the death penalty doesn’t make us any safer?”

In response, more are embracing a consistent life ethic.

Three times in the past month, the Nebraska Legislature voted for a bill to repeal capital punishment and replace it with life without parole. The governor has promised to veto the legislation, and an override vote is looming. Many of the Christian lawmakers made it clear they cast their votes against the death penalty, in part, to promote a whole life ethic.

http://www.religionnews.com/2015/05/22/protestants-join-catholics-reconsidering-death-penalty-commentary/