Crime and Punishment

What are the two kinds of criminal courts in the UK?

Magistrates’ courts; 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?

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

What rules in Islam would prevent crime due to addiction?

Alcohol is haram; Illegal drugs are haram; Gambling is haram

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?

Non-violent

What example in the Bible shows non-violent protest?

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 demand the death penalty for the murderer; Forgive the murderer and receive compensation

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 carried out in public

What is reformation?

Helping the criminal to realise what they had done wrong and improve; e.g., through 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; Seek 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 God’s 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; Developing skills

What teaching 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 goes 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; 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.”

Who did Allah forgive?

Adam and Hawwa

Why do some people support the death penalty?

Effective retribution; Effective deterrence; Justice is more important than the sanctity of life

Why are many people against it?

Sanctity of life; Only God can end life; Innocent people are sometimes killed; “You shall not murder.”

What teaching suggests that Christians might support it?

“…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.”

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

Murder; Rape

What was Ted Hakey’’s story

he was an ex marine who shot a mosque becuase of Paris attack, some of his friends killed and hateful content on social media

The islamic community invited him to a meeting and he felt guilty. The islamic community forgave him and they repaired relashonsip

College of Policing stats about restorative justice

show that there can be up to 45% repeated conviction

lead to fewer violent crime

victim fell more sincere apology and less likely to desire revenge

easier reintegration for offender back to society

Historian Lynn White Jr…

Christianity is reason people destroy nature, because of the idea of dominion