| 1st
Century Palestine |
21st
Century USA |
| Crucifixion
is the main form of
capital punishment. |
The
electric chair and
lethal injection are
the main forms of
capital punishment. |
| Primarily
used for bandits and
other insurrectionists
who threaten Roman
political power. |
Primarily
used for murderers of
private citizens. |
| The
government rarely uses
capital punishment on
its own citizens. |
The
government normally
uses capital
punishment on its citizens. |
| Conducted
in highly visible,
public places (near
entrances to cities
and along major roads)
to maximize the
"terror effect." |
Conducted
in prisons, away from
the public eye. The
number and kind of
people who can be
present is severely
limited. |
| Children
always witness it. |
Children
never witness it. |
| Underlying
purpose: to maintain
imperial power by
scaring as many people
as possible. |
Underlying
purpose: to make
streets and homes safe
by eliminating
criminals. |
| Alternate
punishment for
insurrection if found
guilty: none. |
Alternate
punishment for murder if found
guilty: either a long
prison sentence or life in
prison. |
| After
death, the bodies of
criminals are often
abandoned to the
ravages of nature. |
After
death, the bodies of
criminals are given
some respect either
through cremation or
burial. |
