Crime and Punishment (RS)

Types of crime religions response

Christians

“All of you must yield to the government rulers.” Romans

Muslims are strongly against people committing crime

Shariah law must be obeyed

“God commands justice and prohibits wrongdoing.” Quran.

• Christians feel it is necessary to break certain laws in order to fight for what they believe is right and just.

E.g Martin Luther King Jr – preacher and civil rights leader led campaign against United States government which were guilty of inequality towards black citezens.

Good + evil actions and intentions

“actions are judged by intentions” Hadith

(On judgement day you are judged based on intentions)

“treat others as you would like to be treated” Jesus

(Performing good actions will lead to being rewarded)

Suffering

“Suffering produces perseverance.” St Paul

“God does not burden a soul with more than it can bear.” Surah

What are the four aims of punishment

Protection

Retribution

Deterrence

Reform

Retribution

Support “An eye for an eye.”

“Wrongdoers will be repaid for their wrongdoing.” Colombians

“We prescribed for them an eye for an eye.” Quran

Oppose - Jesus says “turn the Tiber cheek.”

Deterrence

Support

“I will punish their sin with a rod.” Bible

“Cut off their hands of theives as a deterrent.” Quran

“Ensure that a group of believers witness the punishment.”

Oppose

Christian duty to reform crimes

“Be merciful as your father is merciful.”

Reformation

“restore that person gently.” St Paul

“If they depend and amend their ways…leave them alone.” Quran

Ways of treating criminals

Prison “Submit to governing authorities.” Bible

“When I was in prison you visited me.”

“God gave you. Life.” Quran

Corporal punishment - “I will punish their sin with a rod.” Bible

“Cut the hands of the thieves.”

Community service - “restore the person gently.” St Paul

“Forgive others and god will forgive you.@ Hadith

Forgiveness

Agree - “forgive not 7 but 7 times 70 times.” Jesus

“God will forgive all sins.” Quran

Disagree - “if there is serious injury you are to take life for life.” Bible

“If they repent and amend their ways leave them alone.” Quran (if they don't repent do not forgive)

Capital punishment (death penalty)

Support - principle of utility (do whatever is useful for the greater good of society)

“An eye for an eye.” Exodus

“We prescribed for them a life for a life.” Quran

Disagree

Sanctity of life (life is holy and should only be taken by God.)

“He who is without sin may cast the first stone.” Jesus

“Do not take life which God has made sacred.” Quran

What do religious believers think about murder (intentional killing)

“You shall not murder” exodus

“Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption in the land—it is as if he had slain mankind entirely” Quran

What is Hadud?

Hadud - unforgivable crimes in Islam e.g drinking alcohol and taking drugs

What is Al-lyyanat?

Al -lyyanat - forgivable crimes

e.g bodily harm and murder