Is imposition of the death penalty a political/partisan matter or a religious/moral matter? Why is the death penalty largely being carried out in the South? Should Tennessee abolish the death penalty?

The death penalty is both a political/partisan and a religious/moral matter. I’m afraid we make it a political/partisan matter more than a religious/moral one. I believe the death penalty should be abolished. There is no data that supports the death penalty as a deterrent to crime. We have also witnessed too many death sentences upon those not guilty of the crime for which they are being punished. My opposition, however, is on the grounds of my Christian faith and commitment. I do not believe any one of us has the right to make a decision about the death of another (that includes euthanasia). I see nothing either in the life or teaching of Jesus that would supports the death penalty. It is ironic to me that the Southern States which claim more “evangelical” Christians have death penalty laws. If we believe in redemption in this life-time, aren’t we limiting the redemption possibility by imposing death?