You raise a good point here, from a philosophical and humanitarian standpoint.
I must confess one thing here, which is important. I am a Christian who does not believe in Hell. That is crucial in explaining my position.
A hypothetical ‘slaughterer’ who gets life without parole will be faced for the rest of his life with the consequences of his act(s). Which amounts to an endless and torturous repetition of the same, boring, and perhaps violent (in some jailhouses) day. Over and over again.
He who is executed will have a transit to... I don’t know. What happens next is a question of one’s religious beliefs.
But, let me criticize myself here: I know very well that those left behind, family and friends of a victim, deserve some form of consolation (I’m Dutch - perhaps this is not the right word, but you’ll know what I mean). And if that consolation is best given by making sure the murderer does not exist in bodily form anymore, then it’s a valid argument to administer the death penalty.
Feel free to criticize. One always learns from decent criticism.
“I must confess one thing here, which is important. I am a Christian who does not believe in Hell. That is crucial in explaining my position.”
I couldn’t get past that statement, you’re either a christain who believes in the word of God, or you’re not. The bible is the word of God, not just bits and pieces.
I for one don’t want to see taxpayers paying to lock someone up for life after a horrendous crime has been committed. A good part of the solution would be to see more stories with happy endings... ie: rapist breaks into to home to rape/pillage/plunder, instead he gets a late night snack of 230grain .45 rounds.