Objections to Anarcho-Theocracy:
Capital Punishment
The final objection against Anarcho-Theocracy which we will consider is
based on verses which allegedly prescribe "capital punishment." The
Bible says: "Whoso sheddeth
man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Genesis 9:6). How can we
fulfill this command if we abolish the State? There are two responses to
this objection:
- "Capital
punishment" is not Biblically required in our day.
- The Bible does not require
"capital punishment" (assuming its validity for today) to be
carried out only by the civil magistrate. "Capital
punishment" could be effectively meted out under a state-less free
market.
These arguments are developed here.
A related argument, sometimes based on the same passages, is that we need a
government to "punish" criminals.
- This argument usually boils
down to vengeance, discussed
above.
- These passages have as their
ultimate goal the restoration of the victim through restitution
by the offender, not simply a vindictive, retributive (albeit equitable)
diminishing of the offender.
- The remaining passages are a
form of procedural discipline which is not monopolized by "the
State," but applies in all other contexts as well, such as households
(children, slaves, etc.), schools, businesses, etc.
These arguments are developed here.