Although the Catholic Church and liberal Protestant churches in the United states have maintained official positions against the death penalty since the 1950s and early 1960s, this is not necessarily reflected in the views of their members. Conservative Christians argue that as the Bible does not have explicit prohibition against death penalty it is permissible. Members of the Catholic Church are more likely to oppose the death penalty while most conservative Protestant groups support it. Exceptions to this rule include the Amish and Mennonites, who oppose capital punishment.

The Soujourners community has also provided a liberal evangelical Christian voice against capital punishment, often in conjunction with Pax Christi, Catholic Worker-aligned individuals and other Catholic peace activists.