Dead Man Walking: Religious Debate over Death Penalty
My research paper discusses the religious aspect of the death penalty and the huge controversy that it is has caused. Revenge is a common response when someone does harm to the people that mean the most to them. One of the biggest displays of revenge is capital punishment because it is killing the convicted murderer simply because it is believed that they deserve that severe of a sentence for the actions they are accused of. The controversial movie, Dead Man Walking, shows the many different reasons and aspects of this action.
Throughout this movie, you see the relationship between a convicted murder and a nun. Sister Helen is asked to help him throughout his appeal process for the murder of a teenage boy and a girl. There is a very slim chance that he will be able to appeal his death penalty so therefore she begins praying with him and helping him strengthen his relationship with God. Her main goal is for him to find reconciliation within himself and God. Sister Helen never realizes how hard this process will be because of the backlash she receives from the family members of the murdered teenagers. It is hard for her to determine how to act, but she ultimately falls back on her religious beliefs that firmly believe in reconciliation and second chances. Sister Helen Prejean declares a quote that Jesus once said stating that, “Every person is worth more than their worst act.” Matthew Poncelet, the murderer, is very reluctant to admit his wrong-doings at first. However, time and spiritual guidance helps him to find peace within himself to take responsibility for his terrible actions. Even though Matthew still had to endure the death penalty, Sister Helen still finishes the movie feeling accomplished because she helped him to better himself.
Reviewing the pros and cons of the issue help a person to realize how many more negative side effects there are than positive ones. The most common negative ones are the chance of innocence, killing minors, mentally challenged people, and the belief that it is never acceptable to kill a human being. Until the 20th century, the death penalty was generally agreed in the Catholic Church that the state had the right and sometimes the duty to impose the death penalty for certain offenses. Christians are put in a position where their Christian values and legal views are forced to conflict. Times are constantly changing and so are the opinions of people especially for the religious that are affected by it. Pope John Paul II made a major impact on Christians when he came out and discussed his opinion on the topic. He stated that it is cruel and unnecessary. He explained his statement by specifying that the offender does not need to be killed unless it is completely necessary to defend society, which has been proven to be practically nonexistent. This is the reason why many religions now oppose capital punishment.
Throughout this movie, you see the relationship between a convicted murder and a nun. Sister Helen is asked to help him throughout his appeal process for the murder of a teenage boy and a girl. There is a very slim chance that he will be able to appeal his death penalty so therefore she begins praying with him and helping him strengthen his relationship with God. Her main goal is for him to find reconciliation within himself and God. Sister Helen never realizes how hard this process will be because of the backlash she receives from the family members of the murdered teenagers. It is hard for her to determine how to act, but she ultimately falls back on her religious beliefs that firmly believe in reconciliation and second chances. Sister Helen Prejean declares a quote that Jesus once said stating that, “Every person is worth more than their worst act.” Matthew Poncelet, the murderer, is very reluctant to admit his wrong-doings at first. However, time and spiritual guidance helps him to find peace within himself to take responsibility for his terrible actions. Even though Matthew still had to endure the death penalty, Sister Helen still finishes the movie feeling accomplished because she helped him to better himself.
Reviewing the pros and cons of the issue help a person to realize how many more negative side effects there are than positive ones. The most common negative ones are the chance of innocence, killing minors, mentally challenged people, and the belief that it is never acceptable to kill a human being. Until the 20th century, the death penalty was generally agreed in the Catholic Church that the state had the right and sometimes the duty to impose the death penalty for certain offenses. Christians are put in a position where their Christian values and legal views are forced to conflict. Times are constantly changing and so are the opinions of people especially for the religious that are affected by it. Pope John Paul II made a major impact on Christians when he came out and discussed his opinion on the topic. He stated that it is cruel and unnecessary. He explained his statement by specifying that the offender does not need to be killed unless it is completely necessary to defend society, which has been proven to be practically nonexistent. This is the reason why many religions now oppose capital punishment.