Public Policy Position on Capital Punishment
Background
Most Christian denominations in the U.S.A., including most of those constituting the membership of the New Mexico Conference of Churches are on record that the taking of human life by the state is morally wrong and unacceptable.
Official statements by many denominational and ecumenical bodies concur on the following grounds for rejection of the death penalty:
- It violates the worth of human life and dignity of human personality as gifts of God.
- Although numerous studies of the issue have been made, none have produced substantial evidence that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to crime.
- This form of institutionalized disregard for the sanctity of human life contributes to the brutalization of society.
- The possibility of errors in judgment and in the legal process, plus the irreversibility of the penalty, once executed, make for serious danger of miscarriage of justice.
- There is abundant evidence that the application of the death penalty in our society is discriminatory against the poor and racial minorities.
- Because of the harshness and irreversibility of the penalty, the resultant long delay between sentence and execution constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
- The imposition of the death sentence frustrates our Christian commitment to seek the redemption and reconciliation of the wrong-doer.
These positions are derived from the background study on "Capital Punishment" developed by the Faith and Order Task Force of the New Mexico Conference of Churches. Please refer to that document for the extensive development of these positions.
Policy Position
For these reasons, the New Mexico Conference of Churches opposes capital punishment and commits itself to work for its abolition in the State of New Mexico. We recognize that its abolition will come only as the result of a major educational effort regarding the issues involved, and a change in the prevailing climate of public opinion. We commit ourselves to be involved in such an educational campaign.
In the meantime, the New Mexico Conference of Churches would support a decision by the Governor to commute sentences of all persons presently condemned to execution.
