Theme E

Crime

any action which breaks the law and is punishable by law

Sin

any actions which go against God’s teachings(in spite of intentions)

• humans are not evil, because everyone is made in the image of God

• Christians also believe in original sin

Intention + Action quote (from inside)

‘For it is from within, out of a person’s 💗, that evil thoughts come”

doing good in secret quote

‘But when you give to the needy… so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.’

reasons for crime

poverty

those who cannot afford the necessities of life, leading to people stealing food/essentials to survive

• Christians condemn stealing & aim to end poverty as an excuse

poverty quote

“Focusing on poverty … are the heart of the Gospels” Pope Francis

upbringing

those who grew up in a household where crime is a way of life may encourage commitment, making stopping difficult

mental illness

Some people commit crimes because they suffer from a mental illness

• For example, kleptomania is a mental condition that makes some people steal

• In serious cases, offenders can be deemed unfit to stand trial

hate

Hate is the opposite of love: a strong negative feeling or reaction which can lead to crimes of violence and aggression

hate

“love thy neighbour”

greed

possessions and wealth are status symbols

• some people commit crimes such as fraud simply to own more

greed quote(root)

"The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil"

addiction

• Addiction often leads to further crime, as the person steals to pay for substances

• Even using legal drugs such as alcohol can cause people to commit crimes such as drink-driving or becoming violent while under the influence of alcohol

addiction quote(caught)

“if someone is caught in a sin … restore that person gently”

unjust laws

laws that defy human rights should be broken & changed

• Rosa Parks 1955 on segregation laws

• debate can be made the protests also work

unjust laws quote(+)

“We must obey God rather than human beings!”

unjust laws quote(-)

“So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow” Bible

hate crime quote(gentile)

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ”

theft quote(labor)

“let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor…so he may have something to share with anyone in need”

Attitudes to punishment quote (authority)

‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established’

Parable of Sheep & Goat

‘I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ (Matthew 25:34-36)

Aims of Punishment

• retribution(revenge)

• deterrence(prevent repeats & others)

• reformation(solve root issue)

prison

loss of liberty for those committing serious crimes

• manual labor, many hope for prison reform

corporal punishment

to punish an offender by causing physical pain

• extreme, human rights violation, deterrence

community service

minor offenders make up for what they’ve done & receive help for reform

retribution quote(eye)

“Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth,”

• severity of punishment = severity of crime

reformation(overcome)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

deterrence quote(+,blood)

"Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed"

deterrence quote(-), sinner

“I do not enjoy seeing a sinner die. I would rather see him sinning & live”

use of punishment quote(rod)

“He who spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them”

forgiveness

showing mercy & pardoning someone for what they have done wrong

parable of the unforgiving servant

“He without sin may cast the first stone”

• Everyone has sinned, but God still accepts humanity. We can all repent + be forgived

no limits to forgiveness of others

• faith in law is not up to individuals to judge

• one can prevent themselves from being consumed in wrath this way

no limits quote

“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

forgiveness for repentance

• no repentance = useless forgiveness

• free-will to decide if forgiveness is wanted or not, instead of automatic

repentance quote

“father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”