Gandalf, the powerful wizard in The Lord of the Rings, wisely reminds us “Many who live deserve death. And some who die deserve life." (Tolkien 92). There are arguments both for and against the application of capital punishment in our society. This article will list some arguments that oppose the death penalty. In this day and age where advanced technology aids in the collection and interpretation of evidence, it is astonishing that we still make mistakes in our legal administration and decision making. Furthermore, it is argued that the death penalty discriminates on the basis of race and economic status. Finally, the administration of the death penalty violates the biblical right to life. Perhaps the death penalty could be seen as cruel and unusual punishment, which would make it a violation of our Constitution. For these reasons, the death penalty should be abolished. Death penalty supporters present a variety of reasons why capital punishment is deserved. Agencies whose purpose is to deter crime believe that punishing offenders can reduce crime and save lives. Society has the right to prevent murderers from killing again, and criminals should be held fully accountable for the crimes they commit. Death penalty supporters believe that science can be used effectively to free the innocent as well as identify the guilty. They believe that the justice system receives careful scrutiny to protect a person accused of injustice. Even those who oppose the death penalty have compelling arguments. The death penalty should be abolished because mistakes can and have been made and sometimes an innocent person is put to death. The courts and legal bodies of our government seek to do their jobs with accuracy, do...... middle of paper......"Information and Resources on the Death Penalty." 1987. Information on the death penalty. American Society of Criminology. November 21, 2004 .Millett, Frederick C. "End the Death Penalty." 08 2002. Part I: Moral Reasons for Opposing the Death Penalty. November 16, 2004 .O'Conner, Tom. “Death Penalty Topics and Internet Resources.” 2004. Death Penalty Arguments & Resources.Class syllabus 2004. 21 November 2004. Staples, Brent. “Just keep going: A black man reflects on his power to alter public space.” MS MagazineSeptember 1986: 155-157.Tolkien, JRR The Lord of the Rings: Part One The Fellowship of the Ring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1954.