Religion, Crime and Punishment (all questions)

What is a crime against a person?

A crime that harms people.

What is a crime against property?

A crime that damages people's property

What is a crime against the state?

Offences that endanger everyone or affect the smooth running of society

Martin Luther King broke the law many times. Why did he do this?

He believed that it was right to break unjust laws.

What did St. Augustine mean by "Hate the sin, not the sinner"?

That is is important to oppose sinful acts but to love the person who commits these sins.

What is a religious definition of evil?

an immoral act that takes a person away from God

What is a religious definition of good?

A morally right act that brings a person closer to God

According to the Bible, what happened in the 'Fall' of Adam and Eve?

Adam and Eve rebelled against God's rule not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

What is the role of human free will in the story of Adam and Eve's sin?

Adam and Eve chose to disobey God.

According to Christian belief, what happened in the 'Fall' of Lucifer?

Lucifer rebelled against God and tried to overthrow God.

According to the Qur'an, what is the role of Shaytan in the origin of evil?

Shaytan refused to bow down to Adam and tempted Adam to rebel against God.

What is the Christian idea of original sin?

That humans are born sinful.

What is the definition of murder?

the deliberate taking of life

What is theft?

to take property which doesn't belong to you

What does the term hate crime refer to?

committing a crime aimed at particular individual or group within society

Which of the 10 commandments does murder directly go against?

You shall not kill

Which of the 10 commandments does theft go against?

You shall not steal

Which aim of punishment attempts to ensure society is kept safe?

protection

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

reparation

Which aim of punishment says that it is right to punish those who have committed crime?

retribution

Which aim of punishment aims to put people off committing crime?

deterrence

Which aim of punishment is designed to help an offender become a better person?

reform

Which aim of punishment says that crimes must be punished?

retribution

What is the Islamic view of deterrence as an aim of punishment?

Deterrence is one of the most important aims of punishment. The Qur'an says that punishment should be used as "an example" to others.

What is the Islamic view of retribution as an aim of punishment?

Retribution is an essential part of punishment. The Qur'an teaches that justice is very important.

What is the Islamic view of reform as an aim of punishment?

Reform is an important aim of punishment. Paying compensation to those who are affected by your crimes can help you learn to lead a better life.

What is the Christian view of deterrence as an aim of punishment?

Deterrence is not the most important aim of punishment. Making punishments excessively harsh is not the main priority.

What is the Christian view of retribution as an aim of punishment?

Retribution is an essential part of punishment. The Bible teaches "an eye for an eye" to show that punishments should fit the crime.

What is the Christian view of reform as an aim of punishment?

Reform is an important aim of punishment. Jesus taught that we should "leave our life of sin" and lead a better life.

What is the Quaker Christian Elizabeth Fry well known for?

Helping improve conditions in prison and helping prisoners to turn their lives around.

What is meant by a victim of crime?

a person harmed as a result of a crime

Why is it important victims get support?

to give them someone to talk to, to provide help and support so they can come to terms with the crime

Both Christianity and Islam teach a version of the 'Golden Rule'. What is this 'rule'?

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

How might Christian and Muslims use the idea of the 'Golden Rule' when think about how to help victims of crime?

If we were the victim of a crime, then we would want help and support, so we should give help and support to others.

What is a curfew?

time restrictions on when an offender may be out in public

What is an electronic tag?

an electronic surveillance device attached to the ankle/leg

What is a fine?

a punishment that involves paying money

How is prison used as a punishment for crime?

by taking away someone's freedom to live as they wish

Where may somebody under the age of 18 be sent after committing a crime?

a Young Offender Institution

Which aims of punishment do prisons cover well?

protection and retribution

Which does the parable of the prodigal (lost) son teach?

that anything can be forgiven

Which does the parable of the unforgiving servant teach?

that in order to be forgiven we must be prepared to forgive

What is meant by forgiveness?

to let go of negative emotion towards someone who has wronged us

Why did Jesus teach that we should love and forgive our enemies?

True forgiveness is not just for your friends; it must also be for those that hate you.

According to Jesus, how many times should we be prepared to forgive those who have harmed us?

seventy times seven

Why did Anthony Walker's mother think that forgiveness was important?

Not forgiving means having to carry the burden of hate.

Why did Julie Nicholson not forgive her daughter's killers?

She believed it was not her decision as it was not her who was killed.

'Forgiveness means letting the person off.' Does Christian teaching think this is true or false?

FALSE

What do Muslims believe about God that means they think forgiveness is important?

That God is compassionate and merciful.

According to Islamic teaching, what must happen before someone can be forgiven?

The person who wants to be forgiven must show remorse.

According to Islamic teaching, what must forgiveness involve if it is to be genuine?

True forgiveness must involve repentence: the turning away from bad to lead a good life

What part of the Hajj pilgrimage is related to forgiveness from God?

Standing in the heat on Mt Arafat as preapration for the day of judgement

What is corporal punishment?

to cause the offender physical pain

What is the Islamic attitude to the use of corporal punishment?

Corporal punishment is permitted for some crimes such as theft and adultery.

According to Islamic teaching, what is the main aim of corporal punishment?

deterrence: a harsh punishment as an example to warn others

What is the biblical attitude to corporal punishment?

The Bible allows for parents to use corporal punishment on their children.

Why do most Christians oppose corporal punishment?

Corporal punishment is unnecessary as it does not help the person to reform.

What is community service?

doing work as 'payback' to the community

What is the Christian view of community service?

If the punishment fits the crime, then community service can be a good way of helping someone reform.

What is the Islamic view of community service?

Deterrence is the best way to help someone reform; community service is not harsh enough to be a deterrent

What is the Christian view of using prison as a punishment?

Prison is a serious punishment and is therefore a good way to punish serious crimes.

What is the Islamic view of using prison as a punishment?

Prison is a stong punishment and it is important that criminals are punished as a warning to others.

What is meant by capital punishment?

execution for a crime committed

Why might some Christians support the use of the death penalty?

The Bible teaches 'a life for a life'.

Why might some Christians oppose the use of the death penalty?

Jesus taught that we are all sinful and we should not therefore condemn others.

Why might some Muslims support the use of the death penalty?

The Qur'an teaches that execution 'in the cause of justice' can be the correct punishment.

Why might some Muslims oppose the use of the death penalty?

Only God can take life - execution is like playing God, and this is shirk.