Final answer:
While the information provided does not directly answer which religions justify capital punishment, it is historically known that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have aspects that could be interpreted as supporting capital punishment, whereas religions like Jainism and Taoism advocate for non-violence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is asking about the stance of different religions on capital punishment for major offenses. Specifically, it is important to note that the nature of belief in a higher power, along with the history and use of sacred texts and rituals, can influence religious perspectives on legal and ethical issues such as capital punishment.
While the provided information does not explicitly list which religions justify capital punishment, it does outline the various religious beliefs and ceremonies that relate to how each religion views morality and law.
Judaism and Christianity have historical roots that include aspects of capital punishment within their sacred texts, such as the Torah and certain interpretations of the Bible. For example, the Old Testament includes laws that were interpreted as condoning capital punishment for certain offenses. However, interpretations and applications vary widely among different denominations and over time. Islam also prescribes capital punishment for certain offenses within the framework of Sharia law, depending on interpretation and application by various Islamic schools of thought.
Religions like Hinduism and Buddhism generally promote non-violence and compassion; however, there are historical and contextual examples where capital punishment has been justified by certain rulers or sects within these religions. Sikhism, with its emphasis on justice, has also had a complex relationship with capital punishment in history. Overall, contemporary views on capital punishment within these religions can be diverse and are often influenced by broader sociological factors and the legal context of countries where these religions are practiced.
It's worth mentioning that Jainism and Taoism both advocate for non-violence and are less likely to support capital punishment as consistent with their core doctrines. However, the original question does not directly correspond to the information provided, as it does not specify the viewpoint of each religion on capital punishment.