RS crime and punishment

What are the two kinds of criminal courts in the UK

Magistrates’ and crown courts

What is the strictest punishment that can be given in the UK

Life imprisonment

What is the strictest punishment that can be given in Shariah Law (Islamic Law)

Death penalty

What is Agape

Unconditional love/God’s fatherly love

According to Muslims, why do people have a tendency to sin

Tempted by Iblis (Shaytan)

What example in the Qur’an highlights Shaytan’s attempts to lead people astray

When he told Ibrahim not to sacrifice his son, despite Allah telling Ibrahim to do so

According to Christians, why do people have a tendency to sin

Original Sin (by Adam and Eve)

How could addiction lead to crime

1. Acting under the influence of illegal drugs; 2. Violence and stealing to feed the addiction

What rules in Islam would prevent crime due to addiction

Alcohol, illegal drugs and gambling are haram (forbidden)

What commandment teaches Christians not to be greedy

‘Thou shall not covet.’

Which pillar of Islam helps to avoid crimes committed due to poverty

Zakah (Khums & Sadaqah)

What methods would Christians be allowed to use to oppose unjust laws; What example in the Bible shows this

Non-violent; The cleansing of the temple “it is written, my Father’s house will be a house of prayer… not a den of thieves”

What groups are targeted by hate crimes

Race, Gender, Sexuality, religion

What verse teaches Christians to refrain from hate crimes

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”

What verse teaches Muslims to avoid hate crimes

“Let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just”

What commandment tells Christians not to murder

“Thou shall not kill”

Under what circumstances could a Muslim kill

Lesser Jihad, punishment under Shariah law

What is the punishment under Shariah law for stealing

Amputation of the hand

Why are punishments under Shariah law severe

To act as a deterrent (put people off committing the crime)

What is retribution

Society getting its own back on the offender

What does the Old Testament say that supports retribution

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

What does the New Testament say that does not support retribution

“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

In Shariah law, what options do families of murder victims have

Either death penalty for the victim, or forgive them and receive money

What is deterrence

Severe punishments putting people off committing crimes

How does Shariah law provide a deterrent

Severe punishments like death, flogging, and amputation. Often, punishments are carried out in public

What is reformation

Helping the criminal to realise what they had done wrong and improve e.g. by education

Give a Qur’anic quotation relevant to punishment

Surah 5:38-39: ‘[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent from Allah…But whoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms, indeed, Allah will turn to him in forgiveness.’

What Christian teaching supports reformation

‘Love your neighbour as yourself’

How does greater jihad support the idea of reformation

The criminal should struggle to improve themselves and avoid committing crime

What story and teaching show that Jesus wants Christians to help those suffering

The Parable of the Good Samaritan; ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

How were humans created that gives them the ability to cause suffering to others

With free will

How should Christians act if they have caused suffering

Seek forgiveness and reconciliation

When did Jesus try to fix suffering caused by one of his followers

Healing the guard’s ear in the Garden of Gethsemane; “Put your sword back in its place for he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword”

According to Muslims why does suffering happen

Will of Allah (Supremacy of Gods will)

What kind of punishment involves loss of freedom for a fixed amount of time

Prison

According to Buddhists, what opportunities should be given to prisoners

Reform through education and developing skills

What teachings shows that Christians believe prisoners should be treated with respect

“When I was in prison you visited me”, from the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Is prison a punishment used by Shariah law; Why

No – they prefer short, sharp corrections to law breaking

What is corporal punishment

Inflicting physical harm

Why is corporal punishment illegal in the UK

It’s seen to go against human rights

What teaching shows some Christians do accept corporal punishment in the family

‘He who spares the rod hates the child’

Why is corporal punishment used in Shariah law

As a deterrent

Why is community service used in the UK

To help minor offenders learn from their mistakes and make up for the damage caused to the community

What quote supports forgiveness as a key Christian ideal?  

‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.’

What teaching shows how many times you should ask for forgiveness?  

Not 7 times, but 70 x 7 times

When did the prophet Muhammad show forgiveness? 

After winning the battle of Badr, the Prophet showed mercy to many of those who fought against him

What teaching shows that Muslims believe in the importance of forgiveness? 

‘Pardon each other’s faults and [God] will grant you honour.’(Haddith)

Who did Allah forgive? 

Adam and Hawwa 

Why do some people support the death penalty? 

Effective retribution and deterrence. Justice is more important than the sanctity of the criminal’s life.

Why are many people against death penalty? 

Sanctity of life, only God can end life.

‘do not repay evil with evil’

’You shall not murder.’ (bible)

Innocent people are sometimes killed by the death penalty.

‘ whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land — it is as if he had slain whole of mankind’

What teaching suggests that Christians might support death penalty? 

‘…if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye’

What teaching shows why many Christians do not support it? 

Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 

‘he who is without sin shall cast the first stone’

‘do not take revenge … leave room for God’s wrath’

For what crimes is the death penalty used in Shariah law? 

Murder and rape

What is meant by evil intention?

Evil intention means deliberately planning to cause harm or suffering.

How should Christians respond to evil?

“Do not repay evil with evil, but repay evil with good”

What is a quote that shows how the consequence is from the action? (Bible)

‘A man reaps what he sows’

What is a quote that shows jealously as a cause of crime

‘For when jealousy exist…, there will be disorder and every vile practice ‘

Give a quote about Allah stopping crime

. ‘God commands justice… and prohibits wrongdoing, and injustice

Give a quote from Islam about being sympathetic 

‘Be compassionate towards the destitute.’ (Islam)

give a quote showing Allah’s mercy

‘God is most forgiving and merciful.’ (Islam)

give a Christian quote against killing ‘Whoever sheds…’

1. ‘Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall their blood be shed.’ (Christianity)

‘though shall not kill’

give a Islam quote against killing because of the sacredness of life

4. ‘Do not take life, which God has made sacred. This is what he commands you to do: so that you may use your reason’ (Islam)

Give a Christian quote about being drunk

‘do not be drunk on wine’

What quote in Islam is about God judging on intention

he Prophet Muhammad said, “Actions are judged by intentions.” (Hadiths)

Give a quote about spirit over letter

Paul says : “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Give a quote in Islam against murder

"Do not take life, which Allah has made sacred, except by right."

What is restorative justice

Restorative justice is when people try to fix the harm caused by a crime by making things right between the victim and the offender. e.g talking to victim

Complete : ‘whoever kills a soul unless for a soul …

it is as if he had slain whole of mankind’

Complete : ‘he who is without sin…

shall cast the first stone’

Complete : ‘Do not take revenge…

leave room for God’s wrath’

Give a quote suggesting money is the cause of crime

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” — 1 Timothy 6:10
→ Suggests greed and lack of contentment can lead to crime when people are poor.

Give a Christian quote about helping the poor to avoid crime

In the Bible, Jesus says, “Just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me” (Matthew 25:45).

Therefore, Christians believe helping the poor prevents crime, because supporting people in need reduces desperation and temptation to steal.

Give a quote about how people should obey those in authority

Christians believe that God gives authority to governments to create fair laws. The Bible says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). This means obeying the law is part of obeying God’s will. Therefore, breaking the law is seen as disobedience to God and society, which makes crime morally wrong in all cases.

Give a quote in Islam supporting retribution

 ‘law of equality in retribution’