The latest Gallup Youth Survey, which asked Americans aged 13 to 17 about the appropriate penalty for murder, finds the opinions of adults and teenagers to be miles apart. Adults are closely divided, 49% to 47%, on whether the proper punishment is the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Teenagers, however, lean almost 2-to-1 in favor of the latter.

64% favor life imprisonment with absolutely no possibility of parole as the penalty for murder. In contrast, just 32% of teens favor the death penalty. 49% of adults 18 and older said they would favor the death penalty for a person convicted of murder when given the choice between that option and life imprisonment with no possibility of parole. Less than 47% supported life imprisonment.

In this survey, Protestant teens are more likely to choose the death penalty (34%, versus 23% of Catholics); Catholics are more likely to choose life imprisonment (71%, versus 62% of Protestants) as the penalty for committing murder. Teens who attended religious services last week are more likely to favor life imprisonment (70%) -- as do 60% of teens who did not attend -- as punishment for murder. Teens who did not attend church are more likely to favor the death penalty (35%, versus 28% of those who attended).

There are no notable differences between the attitudes of boys and girls on this issue.

Reverend John Eich is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Alma, Michigan.