GCSE PRE- Crime and punishment

crime

an action that breaks a law set by the government

3 types of crime

crimes against a person, crimes against the state, crimes against property

perjury

lying to the court

Why do people commit crimes

• poverty

• opposition to unjust laws

• mental illness

• hate

• greed

• upbringing

• addiction

Jewish teachings on crimes

• “do not kill”- 10 com.

• “do not steal”- 10 com

• chesed

Christian teachings on crimes

“love your neighbour”- OT, NT

types of crime

• hate crime

• theft

• murder

• etc.

Aims of punishment

• deterrence

• reformation

• retribution

• (protection)

Types of punishments

• prison

• capital punishment

• community service

• fines

short term effects of prisons

• mental health damage (PTSD)

• criminal identity

• high chance of re-offending

Long term effects of prisons

• loss of housing

• separation of families

• employment difficulties

• mental and physical health issues

reasons community service sentenced

• less serious crimes

• allows job to be kept

corporal punishment

physical pain inflicted as punishment

Religious teachings on punishment

Judaism and Christianity:

• “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”- OT

Christianity:

• “forgive us for our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”- Lord’s prayer

capital punishment

the death penalty, abolished in 1965

arguments for capital punishments

Moral/ethical:

• deterrence

• justice to victim and family

• life sentences not for life, only way to protect society

• principal of utility- if an action if right, it will bring happiness to the greatest number of people

Religious arguments for capital punishments

Judaism and Christianity:

• “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”- OT

Religious argument against capital punishment

Judaism

• Pikuach Nefesh

Christianity:

• sanctity of life

• “forgive not 7 times, but 77 times”- NT

argument against capital punishment

two wrongs don’t make a right, victim’s’ families still grieves, inhumane, little evidence to suggest it as an effective deterrent

Religious teaching on capital punishment

Judaism and Christianity

“do not kill”- 10 commandments

“an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”- OT

“whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed”- OT

Christianity:

“forgive not 7 times, but 77 times”- NT

“love your enemies and pray for them”-NT

“forgive us for our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”- Lord’s prayer

Forgiveness

the process of releasing feelings of resentment or anger towards someone for a wrong they have committed against us

Christian view on forgiveness

test of faith, punishment for sin, as part of God’s plan, free will

Christian teaching on forgivness

“forgive not 7 times but 77 times”- NT

“forgive us for our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”

Judaism forgiveness view

only the victim can forgive, even God cannot forgive on behalf of the victim, cannot forgive the perpetrators of the holocaust, can seek reconciliation but not forgiveness on behalf of victim

Judaism forgiveness teachings

“the soul that sin shall die”- Tanakh