The preponderance of the empirical evidence indicates that the death penalty is no more effective than imprisonment in deterring persons from committing violent crimes, and capital punishment may have the brutalizing effect of increasing violent behavior. Even if the death penalty has deterrent value and moral legitimacy, the criminal justice system is permeated by discretionary decisions that make decisionmaking vulnerable to error, arbitrariness, and discrimination. This human system should not be entrusted with life-and-death decisions. Death row and the execution itself are inherently cruel, causing inevitable physical and emotional suffering. Far from helping the families of murder victims, capital punishment of the offender distorts and complicates their mourning process. Although the Old Testament does advocate capital punishment, it was primarily a ceremonial function with restrictions and reservations. Mercy was preferred as a way of restoring the offender to the community. The New Testament emphasizes mercy and forgiveness as the appropriate response toward one who sins against another, and repentance, conversion, and redemption are the options that should be pressed upon the offender. The state should do no less than aspire to the highest moral values in dealing with its citizens. 49 suggested readings.