Yes Reba, I would defend my familly against bad guys. As a matter of fact I think that it would be very difficult, if not impossible to be a
'real' Christian and turn the other cheek if someone was hurting people that one loves. My point was that so many folks who say that they are real Christians are not really. They just use what Jesus says when it suits them, and they always have an appropriate Bible quote ready when they want to criticise other people. I am still against the death penalty for the following reason: time should be  given for the guilty person to repent and turn his life over to God. They should be sent to prison for life; and I mean till the end of their days.
In any case, the death penalty doesn't deter anybody from commmitting murder.

As an answer to your question about why I think that NT teachings did away with the death penalty, I sugggest that you read the following verses from the Gospel of Matthew


38* ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
 39* But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
 40* And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
 41* And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
 42* Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
 43* ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
 44* But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Can anyone explain to me why Georges W. Bush Jr, who claims to be a Christian, is so much for the death penalty ? If I understand the New Testament rightly, this attitude is in total contradiction with the teachings of Jesus.