Good and Evil

RS Themes- Good and Evil

good definition

that which is considered morally right, beneficial and to our advantage

evil definition

that which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong

forgiveness definition

give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer

free will definition

the ability to make choices voluntarily and independently; the belief that nothing is predetermined

justice definition

fairness, where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity

morality definition

principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong

punishments definition

a penalty given to someone for a crime or wrong they have done

sin definition

deliberate immoral action, breaking a religious or moral law

suffering definition

pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss; can be physical, emotional/psychological or spiritual

conscience definition

persons sense of right or wrong; helps us to assess the right choice

what is the importance of conscience

• helps humans to assess the right choice to make a moral decision

• gives us advance warning about whether the decision we are about to make is right or wrong and we then chose

• free will which enables us to make decisions and choices which are genuinely our own

how do people make moral decisions

• conscience

• reason and logic

• values, principles and beliefs

• past experiences

• religious teachings/holy books

• the law

• religious leaders

what are the two types of ethics

• absolute ethics

• relative ethics

what is absolute ethics

a clear set of definite rules which can always be applied and are always right or wrong, with no exceptions

examples of absolute ethics

• do not kill

• never steal

• always treat people how you expect to be treated

examples of religious denominations which believe in absolute ethics

• catholicism

• evangelism

• quakers- believe war is wrong always

what is relative ethics

there is no definite set of rules, right and wrong change depending on the situation

examples of relative ethics

• kill in self defence

• steal bread if you’re starving and poor

• treat people how you feel they should be treated

examples of religions that follow relative ethics

• protestant

• CofE

• humanist

what is utilitarianism

the result should always be one which makes the most people happy and harms the least people

what is situation ethics

the result should produce the most loving result, which may be different in every situation

virtue ethics

focuses on the person having and developing good qualities, rather than individual actions

where could a Christian go to make decisions about right and wrong

• Bible

• Jesus

• Pope if catholic

• other religious leaders

• God

• 10 commandments

what do some Christians believe conscience is

the voice of God inside them

how does the Bible help Christians make choices about right and wrong

• gives parables, morals and teachings in certain/similar situations to a Christian so they know what God teaches them to do

• teaches basic moral principles of different situations

how do the ten commandments help Christians know what is right and wrong

outlines all of the basic moral rules of what Christians should and shouldn’t do

examples of the 10 commandments

• do not kill

• honour thy mother and father

• do not commit adultery

• do not steal

what are some problems with Christians using the Bible as a source of guidance when deciding right from wrong

• different time period so different outdated rules e.g. slavery, food etc

• different people have different interpretations of what the Bible tells them to do

• Bible doesn’t have the answer to modern day problems like contraception, technology etc

examples of Christian parables or teachings which outline conscience and morality

• parable of the sheep and goats

• Jesus teaches agape; love for all

• Jesus teaches forgiveness

• golden rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

how can the church community help Christians decide right from wrong

may give guidance; a community of like-minded people who follow the same morals and may have been in the same situation

someone to trust and is safe to talk to

why would Christians go to religious leaders to seek advice about right or wrong

they are the median from God to humans

they know the religion

they are a person to trust and confide in

what are some causes of crime

• poverty

• mental health issues

• coercion/peer pressure

• homelessness

• poor parenting/absent or abusive

• bad life circumstances

• poor education

• media influence

• addiction

• unemployment

why are laws needed

• humans live in groups and groups need rules to organise the types of behaviours allowed

• to protect the weak from the strong

• to keep things safe and fair

• if people think the legal system not working they might start a civil war so laws prevent violence

whats the difference between a sin and a crime

a sin is against God, a crime is against the law

what Christian has the view that everyone should follow the law and what did he say

St Paul, who said “everyone must submit themselves to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God established”

what Christian had the view that the law shouldn’t always be followed and full argument

• Thomas Aquinas

• said crimes that are not sins usually come about as a result of unjust laws which are not proper laws

• if laws do not give justice then people should take the law into their own hands

• if some laws are unjust people may think all laws are unjust

• if laws are unjust people will feel its right to break them

what do Muslims believe about following the law

• believe they should follow Shariah law, religious law given by Allah

• often this is in line with UK law

what do Muslims believe about laws that do not follow Shariah

they believe these are wrong, and follow Shariah law at all times e.g. alcohol is legal in the UK which doesn’t align with Shariah, but its not illegal to not drink so Muslims just don’t

what does Christianity teach about sin and crime in humans

that sin is part of human nature and that all people have the potential to commit crime

what Christian story shows anyone can commit crime

story of Adam and Eve, where they disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit

do Christians believe in revenge

no- they believe in forgiveness of the sins of others the same way they believe God forgives them for their sins

why do Christians believe in forgiveness

because Jesus taught it

what are the six aims of punishment

• deterrence

• reformation

• vindication

• reparation

• protection

• retribution

what is deterrence

the idea that punishments should put people off (deter) from committing crimes

focuses on prevention; punishment a person is given severe enough to act to discourage them from reoffending

strength of deterrence as punishment

prevents crimes in the first place

weaknesses of deterrence as punishment

• may not deter as crime may be in the heat of the moment

• deterrent such as death penalty do not seem to reduce crime

• crimes that are deterrents may be unjust or extreme, which is immoral

what is reformation

the idea that punishments should try to change criminals so that they will not commit crimes again

helps offender realise the error of their ways and change to become law abiding citizens who won’t reoffend

examples of reformation

training and education

strengths of reformation as punishment

• most positive outcome for society as criminals return as productive members of society and do not reoffend causing problems

• most positive for criminals themselves as it gives them a second chance

weaknesses of reformation as punishment

• some criminals lie/act reformed in order to get their sentence reduced

• doesn’t work unless there is sufficient help given to those leaving prison to find jobs etc

what is retribution

the idea that punishments should make criminals pay for what they have done wrong

punishments should match severity of the crime

strengths of retribution as punishment

• gives society and victims of crime a feeling of justice

• shows that the law should be kept

• fair as if you do something wrong you should pay for it

weakness of retribution as punishment

only works if punishment fits the crime; in some cases the punishment too harsh

what is protection

the idea that society should be protected from the criminal and the offences that a criminal commits

strengths of protection as punishment

• protects society; many frightened by crime so this makes them feel safer and better

weaknesses of protection as punishment

• only temporary unless reform occurs

• do prison sentences protect offenders?? petty criminals can be drawn into more serious crime in prison

what is vindication

punishment that means offenders must be punished to show that the law must be respected and is right

strengths of vindication as punishment

• people know the reasons for the law and so more likely to keep it

• important for people to respect the law as otherwise chaos

what is reparation

aim of punishment designed to help an offender to put something back into society

focuses on restorative justice

strengths of reparation as punishment

• develops empathy with victim and prevents further crimes

• gives the offender a link to society and a possible sense of purpose

weakness of reparation as punishment

offender may just go through the motions without actually reforming

what is restorative justice

type of justice where the aim is to get both sides to come together and understand to help move on, helping repair the harm done to the victims

what is an example of restorative justice taking place

• if willing, both perpetrator and victim will meet and discuss what has happened

• criminal then able to see the effect of their actions on a real person and gives them a chance to say sorry

• victim can then forgive if this is appropriate and allows them to move on

• not in the place of forgiveness but part of the process of reform and rehabilitation

what are key Christian beliefs about the aim of punishment

• criminals should be treated justly and be given forgiveness

• punishment should focus around reformation and forgiveness

• should always focus on reform

• some retribution due to old testament teaching of an eye for an eye

• overall punishment belongs to God and no matter what happens on Earth, a bad person will be punished by God in the afterlife

• criminal justice important but so is social injustice so the weak and vulnerable are not oppressed and the strong and powerful don’t take advantage

key Christian teachings and quotes about the aim of punishment

• follow in the example of Jesus who tried to reform sinners and not be judgemental; he forgave those who betrayed him

• “why do you see the speck in your brothers eye and not notice the log in your own”

• agape and compassion

• “love thy neighbour”

• “turn the other cheek”

• belief in the afterlife and heaven and hell

examples of what Christians do inside prisons to help spread their beliefs on the aim of punishment

• try to reform e.g. Howard and Fry

• have prison chaplains inside the prison to try to help prisoners reform effectively, spread forgiveness and seek God

what are the CofE’s beliefs about the aim of punishment

• locking up young people last resort

• times when for the sake of society and for themselves it is the only answer but the cost is high

• believes that there should be a way to make amends within the community and be able to apologise to the victim/victim’s family

• should restore relationships and accept the harm which the offence has caused

• needs greater resources to prevent youth offending

what is the Roman catholic view on the aim of punishment

• absolutist

• believe that public authority has the right and duty to inflict permanent and proportionate punishment for an offence

• punishment has the primary aim of redressing the disorder introduced by order and protecting people’s safety

• must contribute to the correction of the guilty party

• punish crimes because it protects society and reforms the individual

• believe that God is just and will reward good and punish evil

Roman Catholic quote to show their belief that God will punish evil and reward good

“anyone who does not what is right is not a child of God nor is anyone who does not love his brother”

what are key beliefs about the aims of punishment in Islam

• forgiveness important

• need to protect society from the dangers of crime also important, to keep law and order

• punishment central and essential in keeping people from straying what is good and just

• punishments should deter crime and protect society from further wrongdoing

• severe punishments to ensure this

• criminal already subject to punishment most likely won’t return to crime again

• awareness of effects of punishment will keep them from falling into crime

• needs to be completely sure that a guilty verdict is correct though

• believe God will judge all justly on the Last Day and that their duty as Allah’s creation is to ensure people treated fairly with just governance

overall types of punishments Islam supports

• deterrence

• protection

• reform

evidence from Islam about their aims of punishment

• Shariah law- outlines rules to live by and the punishments if these laws are broken

• “there is preservation of life for you in retribution of people of understanding, that you may become pious”

• no difference between state law and Shariah law so therefore the law of God

• Quran details punishment, mentioning repentance in association with the crimes that it deals with

• belief of afterlife- God will judge all justly on the Last Day

• Book of Deeds

what do utilitarians believe about the aim of punishment

• deterrence

• laws and prisons should be used to maximise the happiness of society

• small number of criminals suffer punishment in order to benefit the rest of society

what are the two Christian reformers

• John Howard

• Elizabeth Fry

what denomination was Howard

Calvinist

what was he unhappy with

• outraged by conditions in Bedfordshire county gaol

• concerned that some prisoners detained as they couldn’t afford their release fee

how did Howard fight for reforms

campaigns to persuade parliament to ensure that prisoners who have finished their sentences are released

humanitarian

what book does Howard publish and when

1777- The State of Prisons in England and Wales

what does Howard recommend prison conditions should be like

• clean, decent food and water

• useful work

• Christian teaching

• private cells to allow reflection on crimes

• wage for gaolers so they won;t exploit prisoners

what religious denomination was Elizabeth Fry a part of

Quaker

what prison did Fry visit which shocked her due to the conditions

Newgate prison

why did this prison shock her

• some prisoners detained without trial

• women and children alongside dangerous prisoners

• filthy and overcrowded conditions

how did Fry try to encourage rehabilitation

• taught sewing and leads Bible classes at Newgate

• set up the Association for the Reformation of Female Prisoners at Newgate to campaign for better conditions

• ensures that female warders employed to work with female and child prisoners

• organises prison education for women and children at Newgate

• improves living conditions, providing prisoners with furniture and clothing

• writes letters and campaigns for wide prison reform, goes to others to convince them that the system is bad

what is the name of the Christian trust which helps with prison reform today in UK

Prison Reform Trust

what are the main aims of the Prison Reform Trust

• reduce unnecessary imprisonment and promote community solutions to crime

• improve treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families

• promote equality and human rights in the justice system

what is the most important thing to reformers

education against reform

what do modern day Christian reformers believe that prison should be used for

only for those who shouldn’t be allowed back into society as they may cause harm to others, and other alternatives should be considered for those who do not fall there

what does Islamic law state about how prisoners should be treated

Islamic law holds that the prisoners must be fed and clothed either by Islamic government or by the individual who has custody of the prisoner

what is the name of the modern Muslim reform system

Muslim Aid and Restorative Justice Program

what does Muslim Aid and Restorative Justice System do

• provides mentoring program for people serving their sentence in London jail

• prisoners assessed in terms of their need, level of risk and suitability

• following that the prisoner works closely with their mentor preparing them for release and reintegration into society

• mainly volunteering program allowing the family and friends to provide support to those who have committed a crime

what are other forms of punishment other than prison

• community service

• electronic tagging

• fine

• probation

what is community service

unpaid work that an offender performs for the benefit of the local community rather than going to prison

what is electronic tagging

offender has to wear electronic device which tracks their movement to ensure restrictions of movement observed

what is a fine

money paid as punishment for crime

what is probation

alternative to prison where an offender has to meet regularly with probation officer to ensure that they do not reoffend and movement may be restricted

what does the declaration of human rights say about how prisoners should be treated

• freedom from torture and degrading treatment

• right to a fair trial meaning public trial

• judgement is made by impartial people

• accused person knows what they are accused of and they have legal representation

• right to not be punished for doing something that was not a crime when you did it

what is a prison chaplain

a minister like a priest, rabbi or imam who goes to prisons and provides counselling to inmates

who does a prison chaplain help

• inmate

• all of their friends, family or children on the outside as well

what are some ways in which prison chaplains help

• help prisoners re-enter the community, working with parole officers and other volunteers

• provide counselling

• provide general support for prisoners to help them connect with religion and become better people

what project has the British Humanist Society been running

Humanist Pastoral Support Volunteers at Winchester Prison