What humans don't have the power to do is send a person to hell.

unless you live in Godmerica, what does god have to do with your States Penal code?

It is more common than not for individuals to base their opinions on their overall belief system, and faith is often a part of that. God is relevant because it's an opinion, not because of the topic of the opinion.

so for someone to throw god into the mix generally means that they don't have their own valid opinions.

Either that or they simply express themselves differently then you do. Making such assumptions in a casual conversation just as this seems to be a bit bullying, IMO. Try taking others' thoughts and opinions at face value instead of suggesting inferiority (or worse, that their opinions aren't valid simply because they are not expressed as you would prefer.)

i respect everyone's opinion... i don't agree with it or the god complex; and those particular opinions are invalid to me cuz they're not expressive of the individual but rather the god that they created in their own mind. but i do accept them.

What exactly does it mean if someone else's opinion is "invalid" to you? That certainly doesn't line up with respect.

allow me to explain. an invalid opinion is one that has no merit.

When you apply "no merit" to an opinion, it simply means that you disagree... although it's a condescending way of expressing your disagreement.

After finding her husband or boyfriend in bed with another woman, Karla took a pick-axe to them. While spending 2 decades on death row she had a religious conversion. Unlike many so called "conversions" this one seemed to be real. Everyone who knew her said she was a completely different person than the one who did the crime. Many religious leaders including the Pope tried to convince Bush not to execute her. Instead Bush went on the radio and mocked her pleas for mercy before he had her executed as planned.

The judicial system is imperfect; eyewitnesses, over zealous prosecutors, sub par defense attorneys and juries, all capable of mistakes. Wrongful convictions are not isolated events.
The death penalty is archaic and has shown time and time again to not decrease violent crime. What kind of civilized society kills its' citizens?

What kind of civilized society kills its' citizens?

An imperfect society which strives to provied eash citizen the rights to live and enjoy the fruits of their labor in peace. A society of Laws, that must at times, exact justice from those who deny citizens of their rights of Life, Liberty and Property.

you sound like you are trying to make the death penalty -
patriotic

nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."

I call the death penalty "cruel and unusual punishment"

The original statute pertaining to the subject was, "Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man" (Gen. 9:6). There is nothing whatever "Jewish" about that injunction, for it was given centuries before the nation of Israel had any existence. It needs emphasizing today that capital punishment as the penalty for murder was ordained by God Himself long before the giving of the Mosaic law, and, since it has never been repealed by Him, that precept is binding until the end of time. It is important to observe that the reason for this law is not here based upon the well-being of human society, but is grounded upon the fact that man is made "in the image of God." That expression has a twofold significance; a natural and a moral—the moral image of God (inherent holiness) was lost at the fall, but the natural still exists, as is clear from 1 Corinthians 11:7, and James 3:9. Thus, the primary reason why it is sinful to slay a man is because he is made in the image of God. "To deface the king’s image is a sort of treason among men, implying a hatred against him, and that if he himself were within reach, he would be served in the same manner. How much more heinous, then, must it be to destroy, curse, oppress, or in any way abuse the image of the King of kings!"

the 5th allows the death as a penalty along as Due Process is applied, the 8th says punishmnet not to be cruel unusual...

each addresses a separate issue.

I wouldnt consider ourselves Civilized if we do away with Death as a Penalty. I would consider ourselves Civilized when we as a people stop Kinapping, raping, and Killing our children...Or stop killing in cold blood our Law enforcment Officers...Or robbng and killing a store Owner over 12 Dollars.

It is important to know the word/law and to know the WHOLE WORD/LAW. I am sure someone here will say that the Old Testament is dead and only the New Testament is to be followed and it says that we are to forgive. Well WRONG on both counts. Jesus says He came to fulfill the law (Old Testament) and the Prophets (Old Testament), not to destroy them, Matthew 5:17 and other places. He also said that we are not to judge and to love your enemy, that is often mistakenly taken to mean not to hold them to the law. It doesn't mean let them get away with things and forgive. It means do not hold judgement and hate in your heart, just do your duty (follow the law) concerning others, pray for them and move on, keeping your main focus on your own life, not on others lives any more than you need to.