Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with the desire to harm; the unlawful killing of a person under certain circumstances for example during the committing of a serious felony or when accompanied by cruelty or torture etc.; killing that is morally punishable and brutal. Capital punishment involves the forfeiture of life, which means depriving someone the right to live. Abortion is the induced expulsion from the womb of a nonviable human fetus. In this paper I will discuss arguments for and against both capital punishment and abortion as well as state my own opinion on both issues.
             One of the arguments in favor of capital punishment is that it is a just and fair punishment for people who commit murder. Murder is the most terrible crime and "anything less than death penalty is an insult to society. It says, in effect, that we don't value the victim's life enough to punish the killer fully"(Bender, 70). Another argument is that the death penalty protects society from murderers. "Capital punishment is an act of restitution and demonstrates that a society and legal system are genuinely dedicated to preserving and protecting the rights and safety of the people"(Bender, 85). A third argument in favor of the death penalty is that it prevents murderers from killing more. "Criminals have been and are deterred from killing based on the prospect of the death penalty"(Bender, 85). A forth argument is that the death penalty is giving the murderer exactly what they deserve. "The punishment meted out should reflect the seriousness of the crime that is committed"(Grabowski, 64).
             I feel that capital punishment is murder because just like murder it is performed with the desire to harm. Although it is lawful and it is not performed during a serious felony, it may be accompanied by cruelty and torture; it also can be brutal. Capital punishment is unfair and unjust. "We ...