Rev. Joe -- If God Didn't Want Loopholes ...

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

-- Romans 12:19

Per a recent comment on the death penalty, there is a debate on the justice of the death penalty among the leading religions (originalism is selectively applied there) in this country. But, it is telling how Jewish/Islamic sources that interpret verses that seem to allow it often tend to make it about as hard (if not harder) as current case law in this country.