I think it’s the way stoning is done. Having the town take place in throwing stones and killing the person appeals to mans barbaric side. Paying someone to do that for us...is the kindler gentler man.
is this a sarcastic statement? I could easily argue that having everyone participate in the stoning makes the community accountable and COULD ensure that only true criminals are killed (after all, who wants to have innocent blood on their hands). This is clearly not the case in Iran but the concept could lead to that IMHO