Even though all humans have the right to life, there are certain circumstances in which this right can be overturned, such as taking a person's life. The death penalty has been adopted by many states and is commonly used for heinous crimes, including murder. It is also used for crimes against the state such as treason, crimes against humanity, espionage and violent crimes, while other states use it in military justice. A debate over the death penalty has been going on for years and remains extremely indecisive and complex. It is discussed as a religious, ethical and legal issue, historically and today. It is believed that capital punishment is the only punishment that provides justice to the victims involved. Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the act of executing or killing a person convicted of a serious crime by the state. Reactions to capital punishment are mixed, depending on one's faith and the state they come from. I advocate for the death penalty as a retentionist, which means I am in favor of the death penalty because I strongly believe that if all states approve it, many innocent lives can be saved and that can result in justice being done to the victims as it is. the best way to bring justice to the murderers of innocent people. If this penalty is removed, there will be no deterrence and murderers will continue to kill relentlessly. Human life is consecrated and sacred and for this reason I find the death penalty acceptable and anyone who kills deserves to die too. There is no justification for someone who denies another's right to live to be freed from responsibility. Not all murderers should stay alive and so they should get a taste of their own cruelty. The ...... middle of paper ......pe punishment allows the potential murderer to realize the repercussions of his actions. Finally, I said that the death penalty helps to preserve public order. Capital punishment should be supported by all states because it will help reduce heinous crimes and detain would-be murderers. This will help save many lives and maintain public order. All states should ensure that their laws are not lenient on criminals but strict to best serve their humanitarian goals. Works Cited Vaughn, Lewis. "Death penalty." Doing ethics: moral reasoning and contemporary issues. New York: WW Norton &, 2008. Print. Mandery, Evan. Capital punishment, a balanced review. New York: Jones & Bartley Publishers, 2005. Print. Schabas, William. The abolition of the death penalty in international law. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print