(Florida Photographic Collection)
Reflections on the Death Penalty in America
April 14, 2005
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The American public supports the principle of capital punishment, but there is a growing consensus among Jewish and Christian thinkers — across traditional liberal/conservative lines — that it should be abolished in this country or suspended while the system for imposing it is made more just. Reflections on justice, forgiveness, and the nature of God shed new light on America's death penalty debate.

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  • Radio Show/Podcast
    (mp3, 52:00)
    • Unedited Interview
  • » Joseph Lowery
    (mp3, 6:55)
  • » Debbie Morris
    (mp3, 57:45)
  • » Sarah Griffith
    (mp3, 39:09)

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    Selected Audio

    Web-Exclusive Audio

    Listen to Krista's extended conversations with civil rights pioneer Joseph Lowery, author Debbie Morris, and minister and relative of an executed murderer, Sarah Griffith.

    SoundSeen (our multimedia stories)

    Photo Essay

    [Slideshow]
    Images of Angola Penitentiary's death row.

    Selected Readings

    Moratorium on Executions

    Read the 2000 press release of former Illinois governor, George Ryan, detailing his reasons for the temporary stay on the death penalty in Illinois.

    Maps and Graphs
    View a Gallup poll graphing the reasons why people endorse executions, and see a map showing which states legalize capital punishment.

    About the Image

    The photo on the left depicts death penalty opponents embracing as an execution confirmation is announced in 1984. On the right, a 1985 photo shows an advocate of capital punishment, Robert Stafford, holding a sign citing Biblical passages, "God's law commands it. The governor's stand on capitol punishment is just: Lev. 24:17, Lev. 24:21, Exod. 21:12, Exod. 21:14, Gen. 9:5,6, Matt. 5:21.

    (Florida Photographic Collection)

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    Voices on the Radio

    Debbie Morris

    Morris is author of Forgiving the Dead Man Walking.

    Sister Helen Prejean

    Prejean is a lecturer, community activist, and author of Dead Man Walking.

    Rabbi Elie Spitz

    Spitz is author, teacher of Jewish Law at the University of Judaism, and rabbi of Congregation B'nai Israel.

    Production Credits

    Host/Producer: Krista Tippett

    Executive Producer: Bill Buzenberg

    Program Coordinator: Jody Abramson

    Senior Producer: Kate Moos

    Technical Producer: Mitch Hanley

    Associate Producer: Colleen Scheck

    Web Producer: Trent Gilliss

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