RS - Crime and Punishment

What are good actions?

• any action that obeys the law

• any action not specified in the law such as love and generosity

• actions encouraged or required by genuine religious faiths

What are evil actions?

• those which cause suffering, injury or even death

• includes murder, causing a terrorist explosion and child abuse which are all illegal

• some actions could be considered evil even though they are not against the law

Quote on evil/wrong thoughts and intentions?

“‘you shall not murder’ and anyone who murderes will be subject to judgement” Matthew

Christian response to evil actions?

• claim there is no such thing as an evil person

• humans are not perfect and make mistakes

• the belief in original sin delivered from the disobedience of Adam and Eve means that all humans have a tendency to do things that are evil even though they are not evil themselves

• if God created good people then they are unlikely to do something awful unless there is a specific reason

• if this is the case then they should receive treatment whilst being punished

What are the reasons for crime?

• poverty

• upbringing

• mental illness

• addiction

• greed

• hate

• opposing unjust laws

Christian views on lawbreakers?

• they are generally against lawbreakers without just cause

• many believe a punishment should be as sever as the crime they have committed

• others believe they should be helped in order that they do not offend again

• may hate the crime but not the person who committed it

• lawbreakers have rights and these should be protected even while they are being punished

What is Jesus’ golden rule?

“do to others as you would have done to you”

Two contrasting views on murder?

Liberal view:

• takes the case into consideration

• will still punish but may be less sever

• will also have rehabilitation

Conservative view:

• murder is morally wrong because it is a violation of rights

• directly against the decalogue

• believe they should have a life sentence

Two contrasting views on theft?

Liberal view:

• may believe in prison for most extreme cases

• most likely to suggest community service with a suspended sentence

• compulsory training skills to get a job

Conservative view:

• prison is most likely choice

• longer community service time

• against decalogue

• less likely to give compulsory training - criminal should get themself up

Two contrasting views on hate crime?

Liberal view:

• they would insist on education for the criminal

• likely to go to prison

Conservative view:

• very likely to go to prison

What are the three aims of punishment?

• Retribution

• Deterrence

• Reformation

What is retribution?

Punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act; punishment is severe enough to match the crime

• holds criminal accountable for their actions

• helps criminal realise the severity of their actions

• forgiveness is still important

What is deterrence?

The action of discouraging an action or event through instilling doubt or fear of the consequences e.g prison, fine, death penalty

• can help the criminal to understand their wrongdoings

• can protect the rest of society

• prevents criminals from committing crimes

• however doesn’t stop crimes completely

• christians believe people should be treated with respect no matter what

What is reformation?

Aims to help offenders realise their behaviour is harmful and give up crime - can involve therapy, counselling and community service

• helps educate offenders in hope for them to realise what they’re doing is wrong

• Christians favour this response and believe God will do the right thing

• helps to show compassion to offender

What is prison?

• reserved for those who have committed a serious crime

• the punishment is imprisonment and loss of liberty

• prisoners have no choice to live as ordinary people do, are locked in cells for much of the day, are fed at set times and have to do manual work for little money

• most Christians agree prison should be used as punishment for serious crimes, however many strongly support trying to support prisoners while in prison and are keen to see education and training facilities well used

What is corporal punishment?

• punishing an offender by causing them physical pain

• many consider this a break of the Human Rights Legislation that the UK supports

• Christians do not agree with this - they agree with discipline as they see a positive need for it

• focus on respect as Jesus did

What is community service?

• gives offenders a chance to make up for what they have done and receive help in reforming their behaviour

• Christians are in favour of this as the aims are positive

Quote on revenge?

“do not take revenge… leave room for God’s wrath” Romans

Arguments for forgiveness?

• many Christians believe that you should always be forgiving

• emphasises the importance of forgiving others as God has forgiven us from guilt and hurt

• believe that no humans are perfect and it is inevitable they may cause suffering therefore we should forgive

• believe that if they believe, in turn God will believe them

• believe that they should follow the example of Jesus, includes forgiving those who do wrong things

Arguments against forgiveness?

• believe forgiveness is not a replacement for punishment

• possible to forgive someone who has murdered and to believe justice is served when they are sentences to a long period of imprisonment

• forgiveness requires a lot of strength and it can be very hard to forgive

Quotes on forgiveness?

• “forgive 70 times 7”

• “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”

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

Christian attitudes towards the death penalty?

• those who agree with the death penalty tend to use teachings from the Old Testament

• Christians who oppose the death penalty do so mainly because they do no believe taking another life is right

• believe only God has the right to take life as he gifted life to humanity; sanctity of life

• Jesus taught about the importance of forgiveness and warned people not to judge each other harshly

Quote for death penalty?

• “whoever shed human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed” Genesis

• “and eye for an eye”