Actually there is no need to argue the point biblically, pure logic will do.
Society either has the right and obligation to punish wrongdoer's or it doesn't. If it doesn't have that right, then you are arguing for anarchy, since if disobeying the law has no consequence then there is no law.
If society has that right, it also has the right to determine the type of punishment dealt out for any particular offense up to and including the ultimate punishment.
"Actually there is no need to argue the point biblically, pure logic will do.
Society either has the right and obligation to punish wrongdoer's or it doesn't. If it doesn't have that right, then you are arguing for anarchy, since if disobeying the law has no consequence then there is no law."
We do not disagree, then. Yes, the state has the obligation to punish wrongdoers. The only question is in how it will do so.
It is my opinion that the state should not use capital punishment to do so. I am not in favor of anarchy in any way. There is more than one sort of punishment.
As a member of this society (not California, however) I am bound to respect its decisions, even if I disagree with them. I am also a participant in that society, and may have influence in it (precious little, I suspect).
On a personal basis, I will not be subject to the state's capital punishment laws. I will not commit capital crimes. I also will not be taking to the streets to protest capital punishment, although I will vote against it when possible.