Faith in Action on the Death Penalty

Ideas for Activities

What kinds of activities or events can faith communities organize?
Check out some of the suggestions below for ideas! The 2007 National Weekend of Faith in Action Organizing Guide and our Resource page contain even more ideas and supporting materials (such as sample prayers or sermons).

If you have questions about ideas for faith community events or about the death penalty in your state, you can also contact your State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator (SDPAC). Visit our U.S. map and click on your state. You'll find a SDPAC Contact Form at the bottom.

The following ideas have been organized according to three levels. Use these levels as a guide to determine what kinds of activities or events your group can accomplish, based on the amount of time, people power, and resources needed.

Level One Activities

Require minimal planning. One person could organize an activity at this level in one to two weeks.

Observe a moment of silence to reflect on the victims and perpetrators of violence.
Publicize your faith tradition's position on the death penalty. Place the statement in the bulletin or program for your worship service.
Organize an information table with literature on the death penalty.
Ask members of your faith community to sign "The Declaration of Life," which states that should you become the victim of a homicide, you do not want your murderer to be executed. See an example from the Buddhist Peace Fellowship Prison Project.

Level Two Activities

Require some planning by a small group, two weeks to a month ahead of time. Might also require consultation with your faith leader or community leadership.

Call out the names of all those on death row in your state or those who have been executed, as well as the names of their victims, during your worship service. Contact your state's Department of Corrections for this information.
Deliver (or ask your faith leader to deliver) a sermon focused on the death penalty.
Publish an article on the death penalty in your community newsletter.
Watch a film on the death penalty and hold a discussion.
Host a speaker on the death penalty.
Organize a letter-writing campaign to your state legislators, governor, or Members of Congress. Provide sample letters for members of your faith community to sign or take home and review.
Join the "For Whom the Bells Toll" campaign, which encourages local churches of all denominations to toll their bells whenever an execution takes place.
Hold a candlelight vigil in remembrance of all victims and perpetrators of violence. Invite members of different faith communities and the media to attend.

Level Three Activities

Require advanced planning by a group of 5-7 people, at least one month ahead of time (though more lead time would be beneficial). These activities will typically require consultation with members of your congregation and/or leadership.

Hold an interfaith prayer service, with leaders from different faith traditions in your community.
Organize a panel discussion on religion and the death penalty, with representatives from different faith traditions.
As a faith community, adopt a resolution calling for an end to the death penalty or expressing support for a moratorium.
Create a support group for family members of victims, the families and friends of death row inmates or those facing capital charges, and those who have been exonerated from death row.