AN APPEAL TO END ALL EXECUTIONS

Until 1977, there had been no execution in the United States since 1967.  The ritual taking of human life had ceased while debate continued in the courts regarding the constitutionality of capital punishment.

Now that death laws in some states have been upheld, over 400 persons nationwide face possible execution by hanging, firing squad, gas, or electrocutions.  But there is strong and growing opposition to capital punishment, which has been abolished in Canada and most of Europe.  It is seen as morally unacceptable and a form of "Cruel and unusual punishment," in contradiction to our religious and ethical traditions and the U.S. Constitution.  The Fellowship of Reconciliation and its members are among those who condemn its reinstatement, oppose its use under any and every state or federal law, and call for an end to executions.

The Death Penalty Discriminates

The majority of those on death row are poor, powerless, and educationally deprived.  Almost 50 percent come from minority groups.  This reflects the broad inequities within our society and the inequity with which the ultimate penalty is applied.  Persons of wealth, status, and education are favored by the realities of our legal system.  They enjoy the benefits of able counsel and rarely suffer severe penalties.  As the United Church of Christ has observed, the death penalty "has been found to discriminate on the basis of color and economic condition."  This alone is sufficient reason for opposing it as immoral and unjust.

We Seek Restoration, Not Retribution

The U.S. Supreme Court has noted that there is no conclusive evidence that the death penalty acts as a deterrent.  Capital crimes are often impulsive and unplanned, and neither the presence of the death penalty nor the frequency of executions have been shown to have any significant effect on homicide rates.  It serves no purpose in the effort to control crime, and must be seen as the most brutal, irrational kind of revenge.  In the words of the Michigan Catholic Conference, "It is clear that the root causes of crime lie within society itself and their effects will not be eliminated by an act of retribution."

The Value of Life is Cheapened

In this regard, we are especially concerned with what the death penalty does to the society that inflicts it.   As the United Presbyterian Church has declared, "The use of the death penalty tends to brutalize the society that condones it.  "In denying the humanity of those we put to death—even those guilty of the most terrible crimes—we deny our own humanity, and life is further cheapened.  Nothing is achieved by taking one more life, adding one more victim.  By inflicting lethal punishment, society descends to the level of violence and cruelty that it rejects in criminal behavior.  We must set an example based on values of compassion, decency, and reconciliation.

We Call for Ecumenical Action

In October 1976, the National Council of Churches called for effective ecumenical action to stop the "avalanche of legal slaughter."  Many other peace, religious, human and civil rights groups have called for the abolition of capital punishment.  We join our voices with theirs, in the spirit of the prophet Ezekiel: "As I live, says the Lord God, I have no desire for the death of the wicked.  I would rather that a wicked man should mend his ways and live." (33:11)

We Appeal to State Governors

We appeal to individuals of conscience to act to prevent the passage of new death penalty laws on the state or federal level, and to intervene to prevent current death laws from being carried out.  We call on local, state, and national religious bodies to speak out against capital punishment, and urge the commutation of all death sentences.

We appeal, specifically, to the governors of each state to act with statesmanship and courage by granting clemency in all capital cases within their jurisdiction.  To uphold the value of human life and the ideal of justice founded on wisdom and decency, we say to all Americans: end all executions.

Fellowship of Reconciliation

Box 271

Nyack, NY 10960